The first forum for Juvenile Delinquents Centers and Social Education Homes in the country has recommended activating the mechanisms of coordinating the efforts of cooperation and partnership between government agencies running these centers; to standardize the methodology, plans and programs of care and rehabilitation and follow up of their implementation.
The forum, which concluded today, and organized by the Ministry of the Interior; represented in the Department of Human Rights, in cooperation with the Juvenile Care Center, an affiliate to the General Headquarters of Abu Dhabi Police, discussed a number of issues relating to the welfare of this group.
Recommendations also included developing capacity and skills of workers at these centers by assigning them to training courses and taking interest in applying care programs subsequent to the release of juveniles and their return to their natural environment.
The Forum called for studying the application of restorative justice programs for juveniles by the Ministry of Justice, in cooperation with the relevant authorities in the State; in such a way that harmonizes with the environment and the culture of the UAE.
Concerned agencies were also called to develop current preventive measures concerning juveniles who are vulnerable to delinquency, and support contribution by civil society institutions to implementing social, cultural, and educational programs at the centers and social education homes.
It stressed the importance of developing programs to communicate with the family of the juvenile that include family orientation and guidance sessions, and participation in the care of juveniles during their stay in the centers and social education homes
In the second day of the Forum, a working paper was submitted by Major Ali Ibrahim Al-Hadidi, Director of the Juvenile Care Centre in Abu Dhabi, on "the experience of Juvenile Care Centre at the General Headquarters of Abu Dhabi Police”.
Saif Ahmed Al Wahidi, from the Department of Community Service, presented a working paper entitled " Alternative community measures and their applications”, "while Dr. Jassem Al Marzouqi, of the Family Development Foundation, presented a paper entitled" The importance of family role towards its delinquent children before and after their release, and communication with centers and social education homes”.
Maitha Al Habsi, Director of The Takatof Programme for Social Volunteering, an initiative of the Emirates Foundation for Philanthropy, presented a working paper entitled "The role of civil society organizations in support of welfare and rehabilitation programs at juveniles cares centers and social education homes”.
a working paper entitled" modern Applications of health care programs for juvenile delinquents”, was also presented Dr. Maryam Al Matroushi, Consultant Family Medicine. Also, Dr. Amal Belhoul, psychological counselor, submitted another paper titled “psychological applications in the field of psychological support for juvenile delinquents”.
A cable of thanks
Participants in the forum expressed their thanks and appreciation to Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, for his efforts to provide care to and rehabilitate juveniles to help them integrate into the society, in a way they are able to contribute to the production process.