SDGs+Beyond Future Society for Life Week
Designing Empowerment Frameworks for Communities of the Future
United Arab Emirates
This programme is an interactive session focusing on societal transformation and the creation of sustainable and resilient communities. It highlights the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s initiatives in social sector reform and its efforts under the “Year of the Community 2025”, while fostering discussions on enhancing community autonomy and resilience from an international perspective.
Discussion
- SDGs
- life
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
-
Track Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
-
2025.10.01[Wed]
11:00 ～ 12:00
(Venue Open 10:30)
-
- Venue
- Pavilion
- UAE Pavilion
UAE PAVILION EXPO 2025
Programme details
This roundtable reflects EXPO 2025’s sub-theme “SDGs+Beyond Future Society for Life” by exploring how countries are responding to evolving community needs by equipping individuals with the tools, skills, and opportunities to thrive, moving from dependency to empowerment. The discussion is particularly aligned with SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), as it will explore how empowerment frameworks are enabling individuals to address multiple challenges, including unemployment and financial constraints, while also fostering sustainable and resilient communities.
Reports
【Reflection】
This programme, led by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Community Empowerment, focused on the transition from social welfare to empowerment, promoting individual self-reliance and active participation. It provided participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the significance and practical approaches for shifting from dependency to autonomy through the UAE’s policy frameworks and successful case studies. The programme introduced a framework based on three pillars—intrinsic motivation, skills development, and the creation of employment and entrepreneurial opportunities—assessed across four perspectives: life skills, education and capabilities, family responsibilities, and local opportunities.
Case studies highlighted women who had previously relied on welfare but successfully launched their own businesses by leveraging their skills and passions, achieving economic independence. Participants were also exposed to initiatives from Malta and Japan, allowing them to compare diverse approaches such as international cooperation, bottom-up community initiatives, and community strengthening through culture and the creative industries. Cultural similarities between the UAE and Japan were also noted, showing that mutual respect and the value placed on tradition can serve as a common foundation for community development.
Overall, the programme offered participants valuable opportunities to gain insights into the universal value of empowerment for building sustainable and resilient communities.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Following the conclusion of the programme, insights gained from the UAE’s policy frameworks and case studies have been widely applied to enhance community support and bottom-up initiatives both domestically and internationally. Within the UAE, support programmes tailored to individual skills and motivation have been further developed, including education and vocational training, entrepreneurial support, and the creation of employment opportunities. Regional revitalisation through culture and the creative industries has also been promoted, with initiatives such as the development of young artists and the organisation of local cultural events contributing to societal resilience.
In Japan, initiatives inspired by lessons from Expo Osaka–Kansai have been implemented, incorporating the perspective of empowerment. These include Japanese language support for foreign residents, encouragement of participation in local activities, and programmes to preserve and share regional culture, strengthening collaboration between grassroots volunteer efforts and government support. Drawing also on examples from Malta and other countries regarding youth engagement and policy participation, educational and vocational training programmes have been improved. These efforts are helping to establish systems that enable individuals to realise their potential while supporting the sustainability and diversity of local communities.
The learning gained from Expo Osaka–Kansai extends beyond knowledge sharing and is translating into tangible social outcomes, serving as an important model for fostering sustainable and resilient communities both domestically and internationally.
SDGs+Beyond Future Society for Life Week
Designing Empowerment Frameworks for Communities of the Future
This programme is an interactive session focusing on societal transformation and the creation of sustainable and resilient communities. It highlights the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s initiatives in social sector reform and its efforts under the “Year of the Community 2025”, while fostering discussions on enhancing community autonomy and resilience from an international perspective.
-
2025.10.01[Wed]
11:00～12:00
(Venue Open 10:30)
- Pavilion
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
UAE PAVILION EXPO 2025
OTHER PROGRAM
SDGs+Beyond Future Society for Life Week
