MLSD Minister sponsors a symposium on "laws and practices related to elderly"
28-07-2020
Under the patronage of His Excellency Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, the Muharraq Parents’ Home, in cooperation with the Ejlal Centre for Elderly Services, convened an international virtual symposium entitled “Repaying the Debt to Parents”. Representatives of governmental, private and civil‑society organisations from the Kingdom of Bahrain, the GCC and several Arab states joined the forum, which examined current legislation and best practices relating to senior citizens. The symposium sought to review the spectrum of care services available to senior citizens, exchange regional and international expertise, and formulate practical recommendations that will further enhance the quality and scope of support extended to this esteemed segment of society. Humaidan, addressing participants at the opening session, affirmed that senior citizens carry an inestimable debt of gratitude and that safeguarding their right to a dignified life is a collective responsibility. He underscored the need to review existing laws and policies, strengthen family and community engagement and ensure that Governments provide comprehensive living, health, legal, recreational and protective services commensurate with seniors’ lifelong contributions to national development. Humaidan noted that the term “Senior Citizens” was adopted on the directive of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee. He commended this initiative as a sincere acknowledgement of the need to elevate the status of senior citizens and to recognise their positive role in the development and construction of society, paying due respect to their careers, contributions and accumulated life experience. In this regard, he invited sister Arab States to adopt a unified designation that befits this esteemed group. He highlighted the Kingdom’s experience in establishing day‑care centres and clubs operated by civil‑society organisations for senior citizens, confirming that fourteen facilities are currently distributed across the governorates, with plans to reach twenty. These centres provide a familiar community environment where senior citizens of both genders spend the day engaged in a range of cultural, health, recreational and skills‑revival activities that foster social integration and sustain their constructive societal role. Chairman of the Muharraq Parents’ Home, Hassan Bu Hazza, praised Bahrain’s sustained commitment to senior citizens, acknowledging the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s support for home and club programmes as well as for broader civil‑society initiatives that advance shared development goals. The symposium featured specialised presentations. Bu Hazza outlined the Muharraq Parents’ Home model; Dr Fatima Al Khayat, Under‑Secretary at Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity, discussed harnessing seniors’ energies and expertise; Huda Al Hamoud, Director of Social Welfare at Bahrain’s Ministry of Labour and Social Development, detailed the Kingdom’s comprehensive care framework. Ibtihal Al‑Aloul, Middle East and North Africa Programme Officer at Forum Civ Sweden, highlighted Sweden’s approach to elder services; Dr Hayat Yousef Malawi, Head of Saudi Arabia’s Ejlal Centre for Elderly Services, addressed elder rights within religious legislation; Amjad Saqr Al‑Karimeen, adviser on elder affairs in Jordan, reviewed national realities and the role of civil‑society institutions; Dr Amani Al‑Tabtabaei, adviser to the Digital City for the Elderly in Arab States, examined the Arab Charter on the Rights of the Elderly and related best practices; and Jassim Mohammed Al‑Hammadi, Director‑General of the Knowledge Office at the United Arab Emirates’ Department of Social Services, discussed society’s protective and care responsibilities. Participants from the Gulf Cooperation Council States and other Arab countries commended Bahrain’s wide‑ranging support programmes for senior citizens, affirming that the Kingdom’s comprehensive care policies, respectful terminology and collaborative community initiatives embody a firm commitment to valuing the lifelong contributions of its senior citizens and ensuring their dignified participation in national development.