I had the opportunity recently to attend the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado. It is a week-long event revolving around discussions, seminars, panels and tutorials. These debates were led and attended by experts discussing everything from global politics and economics to health and the arts.
As a first time attendee, I could not help but notice that the average age of most people present was at least twice my own. At first I could not really understand why this was so striking to me. After all, I had always been known among my group of friends as an "old woman", not too concerned with the trends and fads of most people my age. But after several chats with retired politicians about hip-replacements and their grandchildren I realised it was because ever since I had moved to the UAE anyone over the age of 60 is a rare sight, especially at these types of functions. Most conferences and panels I had attended here were run by young Emirati entrepreneurs.
In the United States, I was used to attending conferences or lectures given by individuals from a wide range of ages. In some instances these experts had retired from their full-time jobs but continued to share their experience, often by spending some time teaching at universities to pass on their knowledge. These individuals are coveted specialists esteemed by society for their experience.
I used to always think it was silly when Emirati family members would talk about being old and nearing the “end of the road” at the mere age of 50. But now that I think about it, it is not simply something I have noticed at a professional level, even out at the gym or in the parks it seems like the older Emirati generation is hard to find.
In the UAE, the older generations, who have served in their respective fields for years, have a unique and valuable perspective as they have lived through the transformation of the country from a collection of small dessert emirates to a powerful and beautiful nation.
Guided by the vision and support of our leaders these individuals had to work so hard and believe so strongly in the changes they were bringing about that their efforts and stories deserve to be heard. All they need is the assurance that their knowledge and expertise is valued and to be given the opportunity (if they want) to be consultants or professors.
We should strive to establish a network of professionals whose opinions and experiences are respected. What was it like to be part of building the first modern hospital? What can we learn from our early ambassadors who helped lay the groundwork for much of the UAE’s current foreign policy and international relationships?
While I’m a big supporter of my generation's entrepreneurship and DIY spirit, there is a necessity for the two sides to continuously be in touch in order for us to truly appreciate the people who paved the way. It is also crucial to keep us all connected and prevent an increased generational disconnect that seems to exist in the UAE given the rapid social and cultural developments over the past 40 years.
With so much government focus on providing the youth with the best education and employment opportunities, we need to also start focusing on the paths available for people on the other end of the spectrum. Getting older or retiring from a career should not automatically mean the end of being productive or being an integral member of society.
Just take a look at most of the recent Hollywood action films. While in the 1980s and 1990s being an “action star” meant being young and athletic, more recently such films as The Expendables and the continued popularity of the Mission Impossible franchise means that now 50 to 70 year olds are considered tough enough to be action heroes.
In that vein, the hard work of a generation who helped build our country should remind us of our own home-grown super heroes.
Fatima Al Shamsi is a globetrotting Emirati foodie, film buff and football fanatic
