MoI, MoE host virtual forum to safeguard children, youth

The Ministry of Interior (MoI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE), organised a virtual forum under the “Nafea” community and national awareness campaign, dedicated to safeguarding children and youth.

Held across public schools in the UAE, the forum coincided with the Year of the Family 2026.

It forms part of a strategic partnership aimed at reinforcing authentic Emirati values and translating national directives into practical initiatives that enhance quality of life and promote a safe, supportive learning environment.

The forum featured a series of educational sessions delivered by specialised departments within the Ministry of Interior, designed to instil community values and encourage positive conduct among students.

The Child Protection Centre presented a session on “Combating Bullying,” while the General Directorate of Happiness addressed “Creating a Safe and Positive School Environment.” The Law Respect Culture Bureau at the General Directorate of Community Protection and Crime Prevention delivered a session on “Positive Citizenship and the Rule of Law.”

The programme also included awareness videos produced by the National Programs Department, alongside an overview of registration procedures for the “Nafea” platform and the national volunteering platform “Emirates Volunteers,” under the supervision of the Ministry’s Public Relations Department. These platforms aim to motivate students to engage in community service, nurture a spirit of volunteerism, and reinforce the values of tolerance, cooperation, and humanitarian action.

Officials from both ministries affirmed that this collaboration reflects a high level of institutional integration in support of national efforts to strengthen community awareness, enhance individual protection, and advance a safe school environment. They underscored that fostering an informed and responsible generation is a shared priority, contributing to the development of future leaders.

The “Nafea” campaign continues to roll out its educational initiatives across diverse student groups, with the objective of promoting authentic values rooted in Emirati society and shaping a generation capable of addressing negative behaviours and serving as a positive role model.

The Emirati Day for Education is observed annually on 28 February.

It serves as a national milestone reaffirming the central role of learning in the UAE’s development.

The day reflects the UAE’s unwavering belief that people remain its greatest asset and the foundation of sustainable progress.

The date commemorates the graduation of the first cohort of teachers from United Arab Emirates University in 1982, honouring the teaching profession and underscoring the principle established by the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, that true development begins with investing in people through knowledge and education.

The occasion provides an opportunity to highlight key developments across the education sector, monitor the progress towards true impact of policies and initiatives, and renew the commitment to advancing a future-ready, identity-driven, and integrated education system aligned with the UAE’s long-term ambitions.

Marking this year’s celebration, the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council launched the official visual identity for Emirati Day for Education, reinforcing its national significance and reaffirming education as a strategic national priority.

The visual identity serves as a unified national platform reflecting the transformative role of education in empowering individuals and fostering collective progress across the country.

It promotes nationwide engagement by activating schools, institutions, families, and the wider community within a cohesive visual framework that ensures strong and consistent presence across the UAE.

Inspired by the historic symbolism of the day, the identity bridges the UAE’s educational legacy with its forward-looking aspirations, offering a contemporary expression that blends authenticity with ambition and underscores education as a key driver of sustainable national development.

WAM