Along with 33 Cities Worldwide, "My Community... A City for Everyone" Puts its Global Mark on "Wings for Life World Run"

Hand in hand with persons with disabilities, "My Community... A City for Everyone" has participated in the international running for charity event "Wings for Life World Run". This step aims at stressing the importance of improving the social inclusion of persons with disabilities by promoting equal opportunities and endorsing the humanitarian and cultural image that has been always associated with Dubai, mainly after introducing "My Community... A City for Everyone",  an initiative launched in 2013 by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council in order to turn Dubai into a disability-friendly city by the year 2020.

Dubai's leaders are always keen on hosting various global events in order to leave their distinctive mark on such international platforms, mainly by taking quality innovative initiatives such as "My Community... A City for Everyone" that participated in the marathon in an attempt to spread awareness and embrace persons with disabilities in our community in line with Dubai’s vision that focuses on creating a disability-friendly environment. 50 participants representing "My Community... A City for Everyone" participated in the run today, which also saw the attendance of H.E. Khaled Al Kamda, Director General of the Community Development Authority and Member of the Higher Committee for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

In harmony with the goals of "My Community... A City for Everyone" - goals that focus on spreading awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusion of initiatives aiming at eliminating all socio-economic and psychological obstacles and providing exclusive services to persons with disabilities in order to promote the city’s international image - "Good Move Dubai” initiative participates in “Wings for Life World Run”. This participation encourages all community categories within Dubai to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle and encourage physical activity in innovative ways complying with Dubai goals and vision, thus consolidating the international status of Dubai as a city where all citizens enjoy a healthy and active life by taking advantage of all modern technologies. 

Community Improvement & Social Development

Emphasizing the importance of raising social awareness and rising to all challenges and obstacles encouraging stereotypes and negative attitudes against persons with disabilities and their families, and in an effort to hone the skills and capabilities of all people by enabling everyone to participate in international events, HE Abdulla Abdul Rahman Al Shaibani, the Secretary General of the Executive Council of the emirate of Dubai confirmed, "With good governance, our leaders are keen on investing all available resources in serving all community categories, including persons with disabilities. This way ensures all individuals have equal rights and responsibilities, thus consolidating social development and community improvement as well as promoting Dubai's rank at the international level in conformity with Dubai strategy to transform the emirate to a disability-friendly city by 2020. We consider this strategy a road map towards better integral social inclusion of persons with disabilities in the emirate of Dubai."

In addition, Al Shaibani stated, "Involving persons with disabilities in international events organised by Dubai helps them become active and productive individuals that contribute to the development and improvement of the emirate of Dubai. Such steps prove to be effective in consolidating the efforts of various community categories to achieve Dubai Strategy goals related to building a disability-friendly city by 2020. These goals ensure persons with disabilities enjoy their rights to the fullest on an equal footing and provide them with an appropriate environment and possible tools. The said goals focus on achieving Dubai Plan 2021 that aims at drumming up support from all stakeholders in Dubai in order to provide necessary and exclusive services, chiefly social inclusion, a main challenge facing persons with disabilities and preventing them from becoming productive community members."

Concerning the support extended by "Good Move Dubai" to "My Community... A City for Everyone", Al Shaibani confirmed, "Despite the progress in the medical and therapy fields, it is vital to encourage individuals, through modern technologies and by creating a competitive and exciting atmosphere, to adopt healthy habits with time. This way, they will become more productive and self-dependent because they will acquire better cognitive skills and capabilities. Moreover, such step will help raise awareness across all community levels in conformity with the goals of Dubai Plan 2021 aiming at creating a community that ensures the welfare and health of its members."

Positive Outcomes

Focusing on the importance of socially including persons with disabilities in Dubai in order to provide them with an easier life at all stages, Aisha Miran, Assistant Secretary General of Strategy Management and Governance Sector at the General Secretariat of Dubai Executive Council, stated, "Since launching "My Community... A City for Everyone" intiative of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, we have been receiving a positive response within the community in general in terms of adopting initiatives supporting persons with disabilities, embracing their presence and involvement in various events. Such initiatives have improved the self-esteem and self-dependency of our residents and make Dubai a city for everyone. Moreover, the huge number of participants to the Wings for Life World Run, including persons with disabilities, confirms the importance of raising social awareness about persons with disabilities." 

"In addition, Dubai Plan 2021 goals also include creating a harmonious cohesive community within Dubai. We are keen to participate in such international awareness events held in Dubai," Miran added. "The participation of "Good Move Dubai", an initiative that encourages individuals to adopt a healthy lifestyle, in this event in support of "My Community...A City for Everyone" confirms how integral the goals of Dubai Plan 2021 are in order to promote Dubai's status as an international destination at all levels." 

"Individuals in general face many challenges that prevent them from adopting a healthy lifestyle that protect them against chronic diseases. Through "Good Move Dubai", we want to encourage those individuals to exercise various sport activities by using modern technologies," Miran concluded.

It's worth noting that "My Community... A City for Everyone" focuses on all disabilities, and aims at promoting equal opportunities in the community by improving life quality and providing opportunities to persons with disabilities. Accordingly, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai - promulgated the local Law No. (2) of (2014) on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the emirate of Dubai, in collaboration with several stakeholders in Dubai, in order to provide health, educational and social services as well as public facilities.

ABOUT THE WINGS FOR LIFE WORLD RUN

The Wings for Life World Run was launched in 2014 to benefit the not-for-profit Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation, which is dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injury. Presented with the support of main partners Garmin and Puma, the Wings for Life World Run has pioneered the concept of a synchronised race where participants of all levels, all across the globe, run simultaneously, no matter the hour or the weather in their location. The event has also introduced the Catcher Car format, in which the finish line ¬– a celebrity-driven vehicle that gives the runners a head start – chases the field at a predetermined pace. Only at the point of being overtaken is a runner’s race over, and the individual man and woman last to be caught are declared Global Champions.

Runners across the globe set out to run on 34 tracks across 6 continents, to raise and apply voluntary contributions to spinal cord research projects aiming at helping to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The 2015 inaugural run in Dubai saw more than 700 runners from the UAE and the region. The Men’s division title was claimed by Omani runner Sami Al Saidi, covering a total distance of 45 kms and placing 336 globally. The women’s division title was won by Katie Sloane, running a total of 30.08 kms and placing 284 globally. 100% of all entry fees and donations contributed by the Wings for Life World Run participants, goes to spinal cord research projects to help find a cure for spinal cord injuries.

The 2015 event saw 101,280 participants in 33 countries raising 4.2 million euros for Wings for Life’s single goal. Japan’s Yuuko Watanabe was crowned 2015 Wings for Life World Run Female Global Champion with 56.33km, while Lemawork Ketema of Ethiopia repeated as men’s Global Champion in running to a distance of 79.9km. As it will be again in 2016, the entire event was followed by viewers across the globe, thanks to an enthralling live-stream experience, which shares the effort, elation and emotion of the runners. www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com

ABOUT WINGS FOR LIFE SPINAL CORD RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Worldwide, millions of people are dependent on a wheelchair after having sustained a spinal cord injury, most often as the result of a traffic accident or a fall. Wings for Life is a not-for-profit spinal cord research foundation with a mission to find a cure for spinal cord injury. Since 2004, Wings for Life has funded life-changing research projects and clinical trials around the globe. While the cure is still to be found, steady progress has been made. The funds raised in the inaugural Wings for Life World Run and all future entry fees and sponsorship of this global running event will help work towards their ultimate goal. Every step taken at the Wings for Life World Run and in the Wings for Life World Run Selfie Run is a step in the right direction – www.wingsforlife.com

Additional Information:

About The General Secretariat: The General Secretariat of the Executive Council was established under Law No. (3) of 2003, to carry out a set of functions and tasks aimed at supporting the Executive Council in developing and adopting appropriate decisions, policies and strategies, as well as monitoring and following up their implementation by government agencies. The General Secretariat is also responsible for providing technical support in the preparation of the Dubai Strategic Plan and the strategies of the various sectors, as well as managing government programs targeting excellence in government processes and services, offering suggestions that contribute to develop and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the public sector, and coordinating the activities of the Executive Council and Sector Committees.

About the Executive Council: 

The Executive Council of Dubai was formed by Law No. 3 for 2003 to assist the Ruler in discharging his tasks and exercising his powers. The Council is chaired by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, while His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the First Deputy Chairman of Dubai Executive Council and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum is the second Deputy Chairman of Dubai Executive Council. The Executive Council is the main decision-making government entity in Dubai, under the supervision of the Ruler. It also drafts and oversees the implementation of the general policy of Dubai, takes the necessary measures for the enforcement of local and federal laws, approve draft laws and decrees, endorse development plans and establish government departments, institutions and authorities in the emirate. The council consists of a number of heads of government entities.

About Dubai Plan 2021: 

The Dubai Plan 2021, launched in December 2014 by Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aims to reinforce Dubai’s position as a global centre based on plans that ensure continuous success according to clear, accurate and carefully studied scientific foundations. Following the directives of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, The Dubai Plan 2021 was developed with the human being at its core, and was divided into 6 themes together forming the city’s vision for 2021 as follows: City of Happy, Creative, Proud & Empowered People, An Inclusive & Cohesive Society, The Preferred Place to Live, Work & Visit, A Smart & Sustainable City, A Pivotal Hub in the Global Economy, A Pioneering and Excellent Government.