SDGs+Beyond Future Society for Life Week
Designing Empowerment Frameworks for Communities of the Future
United Arab Emirates
This programme is an interactive session focusing on societal transformation and the creation of sustainable and resilient communities. It highlights the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s initiatives in social sector reform and its efforts under the “Year of the Community 2025”, while fostering discussions on enhancing community autonomy and resilience from an international perspective.
Discussion
- SDGs
- life
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
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Track Programme
-
Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.10.01[Wed]
11:00 ～ 12:00
(Venue Open 10:30)
-
- Venue
- Pavilion
- UAE Pavilion
UAE PAVILION EXPO 2025
Programme details
This roundtable reflects EXPO 2025’s sub-theme “SDGs+Beyond Future Society for Life” by exploring how countries are responding to evolving community needs by equipping individuals with the tools, skills, and opportunities to thrive, moving from dependency to empowerment. The discussion is particularly aligned with SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), as it will explore how empowerment frameworks are enabling individuals to address multiple challenges, including unemployment and financial constraints, while also fostering sustainable and resilient communities.
Reports
【Reflection】
This programme, led by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry
of Community Empowerment, focused on the transition from
social welfare to empowerment, promoting individual
self-reliance and active participation. It provided
participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding
of the significance and practical approaches for shifting from
dependency to autonomy through the UAE’s policy frameworks and
successful case studies. The programme introduced a framework
based on three pillars—intrinsic motivation, skills
development, and the creation of employment and
entrepreneurial opportunities—assessed across four
perspectives: life skills, education and capabilities, family
responsibilities, and local opportunities.
Case studies highlighted women who had previously relied on
welfare but successfully launched their own businesses by
leveraging their skills and passions, achieving economic
independence. Participants were also exposed to initiatives
from Malta and Japan, allowing them to compare diverse
approaches such as international cooperation, bottom-up
community initiatives, and community strengthening through
culture and the creative industries. Cultural similarities
between the UAE and Japan were also noted, showing that mutual
respect and the value placed on tradition can serve as a
common foundation for community development.
Overall, the programme offered participants valuable
opportunities to gain insights into the universal value of
empowerment for building sustainable and resilient
communities.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Following the conclusion of the programme, insights gained
from the UAE’s policy frameworks and case studies have been
widely applied to enhance community support and bottom-up
initiatives both domestically and internationally. Within the
UAE, support programmes tailored to individual skills and
motivation have been further developed, including education
and vocational training, entrepreneurial support, and the
creation of employment opportunities. Regional revitalisation
through culture and the creative industries has also been
promoted, with initiatives such as the development of young
artists and the organisation of local cultural events
contributing to societal resilience.
In Japan, initiatives inspired by lessons from Expo
Osaka–Kansai have been implemented, incorporating the
perspective of empowerment. These include Japanese language
support for foreign residents, encouragement of participation
in local activities, and programmes to preserve and share
regional culture, strengthening collaboration between
grassroots volunteer efforts and government support. Drawing
also on examples from Malta and other countries regarding
youth engagement and policy participation, educational and
vocational training programmes have been improved. These
efforts are helping to establish systems that enable
individuals to realise their potential while supporting the
sustainability and diversity of local communities.
The learning gained from Expo Osaka–Kansai extends beyond
knowledge sharing and is translating into tangible social
outcomes, serving as an important model for fostering
sustainable and resilient communities both domestically and
internationally.
SDGs+Beyond Future Society for Life Week
Designing Empowerment Frameworks for Communities of the Future
This programme is an interactive session focusing on societal transformation and the creation of sustainable and resilient communities. It highlights the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s initiatives in social sector reform and its efforts under the “Year of the Community 2025”, while fostering discussions on enhancing community autonomy and resilience from an international perspective.
-
2025.10.01[Wed]
11:00～12:00
(Venue Open 10:30)
- Pavilion
UAE PAVILION EXPO 2025
OTHER PROGRAM
SDGs+Beyond Future Society for Life Week
