Department of Community Development Abu Dhabi concludes second edition of Social Care Forum with bold vision for advancing policies and services
The Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi has successfully concluded the second edition of the Social Care Forum, held under the theme “Future Ready Social Care: People, Practice and Policy.” The two-day event gathered policymakers, experts, and institutions from across the local, regional, and international landscape to shape the future of social care policies and services.
The forum reinforced Abu Dhabi’s commitment to enhancing dialogue on global social development while fostering cross-border collaboration and partnerships. It highlighted the Emirate’s growing role in driving sustainable and inclusive systems that improve quality of life for individuals and communities.
Global participation and discussions
The event hosted more than 20 dialogue sessions and training workshops, drawing participation from over 50 international speakers, senior leaders, and policymakers, alongside more than 1,500 attendees from government, private, and academic institutions. Sessions addressed key global challenges and emerging trends while showcasing innovative practices and solutions adaptable to diverse social care environments.
Key highlights and sessions
The second day began with a keynote interview featuring Dr. Sarah Carlick, a digital safeguarding expert, who stressed the need to involve children and youth in co-creating digital protection solutions using human-centered and innovative approaches.
The session “Frontliners Voice” brought together social workers to discuss workplace challenges, stigma, and achievements, underscoring their critical role in shaping future social policies. Another key session, “Artificial Intelligence and Analytics in Abu Dhabi,” highlighted how data and AI can improve the efficiency of social services and support evidence-based policymaking.
Research presentations tackled themes such as mental health promotion in schools and inclusive urban development, while training workshops covered practical areas including “Child Protection and Early Risk Detection” and “Behavioral Insights for Better Policies.”
Other noteworthy sessions included:
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“Global Development in Social Care Policies” – addressing ageing populations and rising service demands.
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“Trauma-Informed Case Management in Social Care.”
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“Fostering Child and Family Resiliency in Adversity.”
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“Data Integration for Future Policies” – focused on predictive analytics and integrated systems.
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“Elderly Care and Assisted Living” – showcasing best practices in senior inclusion.
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“Recruitment & Retention” – exploring strategies for sustaining a skilled workforce.
Closing remarks
In his closing address, His Excellency Engineer Hamad Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the DCD, described the forum as a milestone in Abu Dhabi’s journey to shape the future of social care. He emphasized that the event served as a hub of knowledge exchange, offering a roadmap toward quality, sustainable, and inclusive services aligned with the Emirate’s developmental ambitions.
The Social Care Forum 2025 concluded with recognition for its success in driving international engagement, knowledge sharing, and innovation. Its diverse agenda generated actionable insights and strategic recommendations to advance policies that respond to evolving societal needs. The outcomes reaffirm Abu Dhabi’s pioneering role in embedding innovation as a cornerstone of social care, positioning the Emirate as a leading global voice in building inclusive and sustainable communities.
