Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development has announced that the UAE Cultural Index is 75 per cent complete.
“The UAE Cultural Index, which includes the most influential cultural factors prevailing in UAE society, is one of the most important cultural projects by the ministry since 2008. This is because it is considered an efficient reference in drawing strategic cultural plans, in line with the UAE 2021 vision,” said Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development.

Shaikh Nahyan’s remarks came during the seventh session of the UAE Cultural Index project organised by the ministry, in cooperation with the University of Sharjah, the Federal Authority for Competitiveness and Statistics, the Dubai Statistics Centre and the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi to identify the status of culture and its trends in UAE society.
The cultural index is based on field studies using the direct interview method, where researchers visit around 1,000 systematically chosen Emirati families to cover all emirates of the UAE and all social classes to ensure that the index reflects the diversity in terms of gender, age group, educational level and accommodation. Another sample will include 100 public figures who hold senior positions in federal government ministries, local departments and private sector institutions.
“The project, which is 75 per cent ready, aims to identify the most important cultural and community values within the UAE society through a systematic and well thought-out implementation method that will cover the whole UAE, delivering conclusions, recommendations and initiatives that would ultimately enhance community values,” Shaikh Nahyan added.

He assured that all disclosed information will be dealt with complete confidentiality and will only be used for scientific research and remains within the scope of the committee supervising the cultural index project.
The minister explained that the importance of the cultural index lies in its results, which the ministry will make available to various institutions in the country to take into consideration in the development of its strategic plans. “The cultural index is based on four primary determinants — how the UAE society sees the world; community values and virtues; economic behaviour of individuals within the UAE society; and finally the social behaviour of individuals.”
Shaikh Nahyan said the results of previous sessions of the UAE Cultural Index demonstrate the development of the UAE society and the rise in the level of community awareness.
The ministry, through its projects and initiatives, seeks to raise the level of cultural awareness among members of society. It also aims to preserve the UAE’s national identity, enhance the capabilities of Emirati youth and innovators, and invest in their energies and talents

Source gulfnews.com