Abu dhabi: H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Authority for People of Determination and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Abu Dhabi Excellence Award for People of Determination Inclusion – Damj, chaired the inaugural meeting of the award’s Board of Trustees.
According to Emirates News Agency, the meeting was attended by board members, including Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili as Vice Chairman, Sana Mohamad Suhail, Sara Awadh Musallam, His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, His Excellency Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Ahmed Tamim Al Kuttab, Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda, and Her Excellency Dr. Layla Alhyas.
The Abu Dhabi Excellence Award for People of Determination Inclusion – Damj was launched by the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. This initiative is part of the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of Determination 2020-2024, intended to honor institutions that empower and integrate People of Determination across public, private, and third sectors.
H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed stated that the Damj Award aligns with Abu Dhabi’s vision to enhance the quality of life for People of Determination. It encourages entities to adopt best practices in institutional inclusion, enabling active participation in the emirate’s development journey.
He also emphasized that the award reflects the leadership’s aspirations for Abu Dhabi to be a global example in social inclusion, urging institutional environments that empower People of Determination. The award seeks to transform the values of the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of Determination 2020-2024 into tangible outcomes, establishing the emirate as an international benchmark for best practices.
The Board of Trustees reviewed the strategy’s social impact, noting its positive effects on families and society by enhancing community quality of life and expanding participation for People of Determination.
The meeting also discussed the award’s themes, categories, and evaluation criteria. Updates on the first cycle, including the implementation plan and timeline, were covered, with the announcement of winners slated for next year.
The board approved extending the submission period for the award until 31 October 2025, responding to increased interest from entities and allowing more time for application completion.
