Government departments and authorities in Sharjah strengthen cooperation to ensure success of Sharjah 2015 census

During a coordination meeting organized by Sharjah Media Center

Sharjah, 19 September 2015: The Government Communication Unit at the Sharjah Media Center held an introduction session on the Shrajah 2015 census at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Monday. The meeting brought together members of the Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSCD) and government communication officials in government departments and authorities in the Emirate of Sharjah, to inform them about the census project and its objectives, and involve them in its success.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani, DSCD Chairman; Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, DSCD Director; Hessa Al Hammadi, manager of the Government Communications Unit at the Sharjah Media Centre, and member of the media committee for the census; in addition to government communication officials in more than 15 government departments and authorities in the emirate.

During the meeting, participants discussed means of cooperation and unifying efforts among various government institutions and departments in the Emirate of Sharjah to raise awareness about the census and explain the importance of the participation of all community members in the emirate, both citizens and residents, given that the data and statistics will provide government departments in the future with a population and property database in Sharjah. It will also allow the provision of services and programs based on the census results, which will benefit both locals and visitors living in the emirate.

Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al Thani said: "Our participation in this meeting is consistent with the true partnership between government institutions and agencies in the UAE, which has made the spirit of cooperation a prerequisite for the success of any project. Thus, the meeting with the government communication officials in government departments in Sharjah comes to reaffirm the importance of taking part in the success of the Sharjah 2015 census, which is a great national project that contributes to the provision of basic data for all vital sectors – including the education, health, and housing sectors, among others – in order to develop, monitor, and evaluate plans related to the provision of services needed by the community.”

Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani added: "The Sharjah 2015 census will seek to enable government bodies in the emirate to develop plans that would make use of available resources, enhance the services provided, and tackle the needs of residents and investors in terms of infrastructure. This will reinforce economic and social development, and strengthen the ability to anticipate future needs with higher accuracy.”

The DSCD chairman called on all government institutions, authorities, and departments in Sharjah to support the census and contribute to its success, and to promote its mechanisms and objectives through the relevant communication channels. He noted that the Sharjah 2015 census is a project that involves every institution, authority, company, and individual in the Emirate of Sharjah, and is implemented through the DSCD.

For her part, Hessa Al Hammadi expressed her happiness to organize this meeting, which helped promote communication and cooperation between government bodies in the emirate, which serves the vital projects under execution in it, particularly the Sharjah 2015 census, as it is necessary to receive the support of these agencies to ensure the implementation of the census commensurate with its benefits and objectives. Al Hammadi commended the cooperation of government departments and authorities in Sharjah, who attended the meeting and exhibited commitment to being an active part in the census project.

Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani discusses with a number of DSCD managers and officials main aspects of the Sharjah census project set to be implemented in October, the timelines for each of its stages, and how government departments and authorities can contribute to its success, whether through their websites, social networking pages or future events and campaigns in support of the census.

The meeting featured discussions by all participants, who offered applicable ideas and suggestions and lauded the Sharjah 2015 census, which will provide statistical data that will benefit their businesses and allow them to better deal with future variables, such as population growth, burden on resources, and the concentration of economic activities and services in certain sectors in the emirate.

The Sharjah 2015 census comes in implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The census titled "For a better Tomorrow" aims to provide accurate statistical data on all citizens and residents in the Emirate of Sharjah, as well as on economic structures in various sectors.

The Department of Statistics and Community Development in Sharjah is the only official statistical reference and source of official statistical data in the emirate, and a reference in all matters relating to community development policies and plans in it. The department enjoys full legal personality and capacity to direct all actions and behaviors that achieve their objectives.