Scientific Program of the International Forum and the UAE Exhibition on the Creativity of People with Disabilities
Under the Theme: "Creativity and Empowerment of People with Disabilities: New Horizons towards a Comprehensive and Sustainable Society"
Organized by the Emirates Creative Association and the University of Sharjah
About the Furom
The United Arab Emirates and the entire world celebrate the International Day of Creativity and Innovation on the twenty-first of April of each year, as part of its emphasis on consolidating the culture of innovation and creativity in society. Our country is keen to provide an environment that stimulates creativity and innovation based on its awareness of the importance of these two elements in promoting sustainable development and building a knowledge-based economy, as it has worked towards a sustainable future and has encouraged multidisciplinary creative thinking. The UAE has also strengthened its position as a center for innovation and creativity and achieving international competitiveness in this field, as it ranked 31st globally in the Global Innovation Index issued by the World Intellectual Property Organization in 2023, which confirms its firm commitment to encouraging and sponsoring creators and innovators and disseminating and promoting their innovations and creativity. Believing that helping and caring for people with disabilities is a humanitarian and national duty, not sympathy or pity, and that disability does not conflict with creativity and talent, the University of Sharjah, in cooperation with the Emirates Creative Association, is moving towards developing the skills and innovations of people with disabilities and promoting their creativity within the framework of their keenness and interest in this category that is dear to all of our hearts. Caring for this group is a key objective on the agendas of both the university and the association, from which they have derived their vision. The goal is to support this special group in society, encouraging them to contribute, achieve their ambitions in overcoming their disabilities, and providing them with important incentives. This includes motivating them to put in effort and stay active while ensuring they feel supported by all members of society and its institutions. They appreciate their great efforts and skills in mastering various fields of knowledge, harnessing their positive energy, and working to integrate them—especially the innovators and inventors—into society as productive members vital to the progress and prosperity of the UAE. This includes providing the necessary resources to encourage them, securing incentives to attract their innovations and creativity, and promoting their work to introduce and support it. Additionally, adopting funding for their initiatives ensures a positive impact on the comprehensive development process. Out of respect for people with disabilities and appreciation of their abilities and talents, and in order to unleash their potential and transform it into creative works across various fields that reflect their true, hidden capabilities, in an atmosphere of love and harmony united by love for the homeland, belonging, loyalty to the homeland and its wise leadership, and following their footsteps, the idea of the exhibition and forum has been born.
Through this forum, we strive and do our utmost to integrate people with disabilities into society, showcasing their creativity and talents. This group is an integral part of our community, and it is essential that we support them, as they are capable of creativity, excellence, and contributing to the development of society
Objectives of the forum:
The exhibition and forum aim to achieve the following objectives:
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Highlighting the capabilities and energies of people with disabilities, developing them, and benefiting from them in society.
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Focusing on highlighting the achievements of people with disabilities and working to highlight the talents and capabilities of people with disabilities and employing those skills, which contributes to their integration into society.
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Contributing to developing their personalities and enhancing their spirits of innovation by making them feel that their disabilities do not stand in the way of their talents. Where there is will, there is no disability.
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Developing their talents and directing them in the right way towards the world of creativity and leadership and how to be active elements in their society.
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Providing as much support as possible to this group, ensuring they do not surrender to disability, with a firm belief that people with disabilities possess a strong will toward life, creativity, and success.