The UAE has emerged as the most iconic and widely publicised of all GCC countries in the past years. Its unique and stunning landmarks, cultural and sporting events and magnetism for talent and workforce from the wider region and beyond gave it a special position among its peers. This was further enhanced by the World Expo hosted to coincide with the country’s 50th anniversary. These were all complemented by a robust political and military role at times seen by critics as bordering on adventurism but toned down to more of a realpolitik posture as the country occupied a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council this year.

The webinar examines the nature, pace and direction of the socio-cultural developments of the UAE. The objective of the webinar is to shed light on:

• the process of moving away from traditional tribal society towards nation state and what it has achieved in 50 years
• the socio-cultural aspects of the integration of an immigrant community into Emirati society outnumbering citizen population by 10:1
• the intent to formulate a moderate and inclusive contextualisation of Islam as an antidote to exclusion and extremism
• social aspects of providing adequate security in a volatile environment (human and national security)
• cultural underpinnings of building alliances that serve the continued safety, security and progress of the Emirates as a major regional center for trade, travel and culture.

The conversation also promises to contextualise the UAE’s transformation and policy initiatives with respect to its Gulf neighbours.

This public talk was conducted online via Zoom on Thursday, 5 May 2022, from 8.00 pm to 9.30 pm (SGT).

For more information about this event, click here.