Sheikh Dr. Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Head of the Ruler's Office, attended the launch of the 14th Elderly Services Forum this Thursday morning, under the theme "Renewed Giving and Endless Leadership." The forum is organized by the Department of Social Services at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre. The opening ceremony began with the UAE national anthem, followed by a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. The Head of the Ruler's Office then watched a video titled "Inexhaustible Giving," which addressed the status of the elderly in society, the goodness and blessings people gain from them, and the importance of learning authentic customs and traditions by spending time with them, and embracing the love of giving and helping others. The opening ceremony also saw the launch of SeniorX, a pioneering platform that celebrates the wisdom, achievements, and inspiring journeys of older adults. It aims to build bridges between generations by highlighting stories of resilience, innovation, and contribution after the age of 60. The platform aspires to become a reference for meaningful dialogue, inspiration, and appreciation of older adults around the world. Ahmed Nasser Al Naqbi, Executive Director of the Branch Affairs Sector at the Social Services Department, delivered the opening speech, welcoming the attendees to the forum, which he described as embodying the Emirate of Sharjah's vision of empowering the elderly and enhancing their role as a source of expertise, inspiration, and ongoing contributions to society. Al Naqbi emphasized that the sustainability of this forum is a pioneering approach adopted by the Emirate of Sharjah to provide the finest services to the elderly. This approach stems from the wise vision and unlimited support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to consolidate the emirate's position as a global model for building a cohesive society that values ​​the elderly and accords them a prestigious status. The Executive Director of the Branches Affairs Sector at the Department praised the cooperation of various entities, institutions and work teams, and their combined efforts and dedication through various programs and initiatives that enhance the emirate's position. He pointed out that Sharjah was the first Arab city to join the World Organization of Age-Friendly Cities, reflecting the multiple services that the elderly benefit from, such as: free healthcare and home nursing services, in addition to medication delivery, providing physical therapy sessions at home, and allocating means of transportation to serve them on their daily, social and recreational trips. Al Naqbi concluded his speech by discussing the Department of Social Services' efforts to develop and invest in the skills of the elderly through a production center that supports craftspeople and integrates them into the labor market, contributing to supporting family income and achieving self-sufficiency. He also addressed the "Knowledge is Light" initiative, which enables the elderly to learn to read and write. Sheikh Dr. Salem bin Abdul Rahman Al Qasimi attended a dialogue session at the forum, titled "Success Stories After Sixty." His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council, spoke about the long journey of giving, spanning many years in government and ministerial positions, all the way to the Consultative Council. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the value of work, which enables individuals to be productive and effective. Al Nuaimi pointed out that poetry is a divine talent, not a science learned by individuals and then used for national, social, and other purposes. He emphasized the importance of investing time wisely, managing it appropriately, and allocating it in a way that benefits the individual. He emphasized that Sharjah is a reference for services for the elderly, providing them with all means of comfort. For his part, Khamis bin Salem Al Suwaidi, Advisor at the Ruler's Office, spoke about the importance of being punctual and respecting time, as well as being disciplined in most aspects of life, such as religious discipline, personal discipline, and other life tasks. This positively impacts every person's life, whether during their work or after retirement, when they begin a new life. Al Suwaidi emphasized the importance of respecting the elderly and learning from them the teachings of the Islamic religion and Emirati customs and traditions. He explained that his request to retire from work was in the best interests of the business, as his retirement left numerous vacancies for existing employees within the department. He revealed his overwhelming happiness at seeing the development and progress witnessed by the various departments thanks to the expertise of their employees and the efforts of their youth. Sheikh Dr. Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi honored the winners of the fourth edition of the Green Heart Award, which was held in its two categories: Active Senior Citizen and Advanced Aging, and across its four categories. Aisha Abdullah Al Adhab won first place in the cultural category, while Maryam Hilal Al Zaabi won first place in the social category. Ghanem Obaid Al Alili came in first place in the health category, and Moza Ahmed Ibrahim came in first place in the professional category. The Head of the Ruler's Office also honoured the participating and supporting entities and members of the working teams. On the sidelines of the forum, the Head of His Highness the Ruler's Office visited the accompanying exhibition, which showcases the creativity of senior citizens affiliated with the department's authenticity clubs. He viewed the artistic, craft, and household products. The exhibition serves as a platform for showcasing their productions, which reflect their long experience and ever-evolving skills, as well as artworks and heritage crafts inspired by the Emirati environment. The exhibition aims to support the sustainability of community participation among senior citizens and motivate them to continue their production and creativity. The forum will feature guests specializing in elderly support and care from local, regional, and international entities. These include social and psychological experts, representatives of organizations concerned with the elderly, as well as policymakers and influencers in the field of active aging. The forum will showcase pioneering experiences from around the world, highlighting successful models of community leadership and institutional excellence demonstrated by older adults, whose renewed achievements continue to contribute to the development of their communities. The forum includes two main dialogue sessions, combining intellectual and humanitarian aspects. The first session, titled "Success Stories After Sixty," highlights prominent leaders who have continued their contributions after retirement, achieving success in various fields. The second session, titled "Positive Aging and Well-being," discusses key concepts and practices that enhance the quality of life for older adults, such as mental health, community support, independence, and age-friendly environments.