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March 8, 2016

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Home » Opinion » Foreign Views

Modern conflict and ancient history justify heightened role of happiness, tolerance

By Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum | March 8, 2016, Tuesday | Print Edition

Over the past few weeks, I have heard and read many questions, comments and news stories regarding recent changes to the government of the United Arab Emirates. Why, everyone seems to want to know, did we establish a Ministry of Happiness, Tolerance, and the Future, and why did we appoint a 22-year-old Minister of Youth?

The changes reflect what we have learned from events in our region over the past five years. We have learned that failure to respond effectively to the aspirations of young people is like swimming against the tide.

We are proud that the UAE is a young country. And we are proud of our youth. We invest in them and empower them precisely because they are our future.

We entrust them with driving our country to new levels of growth and development, which is why we have now appointed a cabinet minister of their age and created a special council of youth.

We have also learned that sectarian, ideological, cultural and religious bigotry only fuel the fires of rage. We need to study, teach and practice tolerance — and to instill it in our children, both through education and our own example. That is why we have appointed a Minister of State for Tolerance.

When the Arab world was tolerant and accepting of others, it led the world: From Baghdad to Damascus to Andalusia and farther afield, we provided beacons of science, knowledge, and civilization, because humane values were the basis of our relationships with all civilizations, cultures and religions.

Tolerance is no catchphrase, but a quality we must cherish and practice. It must be woven into the fabric of our society to safeguard our future and maintain the progress we have made.

Post-oil economy

With every lesson we learn comes a decision that will shape our future. But we also know that we can learn by looking to the future, not just the past or present. Simply put, we must think of what life will be like in a post-oil economy.

That is why we have invested heavily — more than 300 billion dirhams (US$81.5 billion) — in establishing a focus for the UAE’s path ahead, with the aim of preparing for a diverse economy that frees future generations from dependence on the ever-fluctuating oil market.

Achieving that goal requires reconsidering our legislative, administrative and economic system fully to move away from dependence on oil. We need a strong and appropriate regulatory infrastructure to build a sustainable and diverse national economy.

In writing this commentary, I want to send a clear message that change happens by our hands only.

I am writing to send a message that the role of government is to create an environment in which people can achieve their dreams and ambitions. Government, in short, should nurture an environment in which people create and enjoy their own happiness.

Seeking happiness

We are not new to this talk about the government’s role in promoting happiness. Since the dawn of history, happiness is all that humanity has sought.

Aristotle said the state is a living being which develops in seeking the achievement of moral perfection and happiness for individuals.

The renowned philosopher, historian and social scientist Ibn Khaldun said the same thing. Likewise, the United States Declaration of Independence upholds the pursuit of happiness as every person’s right.

In our own time, the United Nations is now calling for changes in the criteria used to measure governmental success from economic indicators to measures related to human happiness.

It has dedicated the UN International Day of Happiness to emphasize the importance of this shift.

Focusing on happiness is both feasible and fully justified. Happiness can be measured. Moreover, it can be developed and its achievement linked to material objectives.

Studies have shown that happy people produce more, live longer, and drive better economic development in their communities and countries.

The happiness of individuals, families and employees, their satisfaction with their lives and optimism for the future, are crucial to our work. That is why there must be a minister to guide and follow up with government institutions (as well as provide leadership to the private sector).

Ours is no empty promise.

We will seek to create a society where our people’s happiness is paramount, by sustaining an environment in which they can truly flourish. And we hope our formula benefits others in the region.

The formula is straightforward: National development based on core values, led by youth, and focused on a future in which everyone achieves happiness.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. Copyright: Project Syndicate/Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Initiatives, 2016.www.project-syndicate.org. Shanghai Daily condensed the article.

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