Governments must strike a balance between winning public trust while tapping into technology and innovation to protect society from future pandemics, global policy experts have said.
The state of governance around the world, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, was discussed in an online forum hosted by the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation on Wednesday.
Experts cited New Zealand as a good example of modern governance with its Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, winning public confidence while being strong, yet compassionate.
The country has no active Covid-19 cases after health authorities released the final patient from isolation on Monday.
It is so powerful when data is linked together, governments need to reassure the public it will not be misused
"This crisis has been an extraordinary test of governments to maintain public trust," said Geoff Mulgan , professor of collective intelligence, public policy and social innovation at University College London.
“Using mobile phone data and credit card data to get a real time picture of what is happening has seen a big advance since a year ago.
“It is so powerful when data is linked together, governments need to reassure the public it will not be misused.
“Governments can be strong and compassionate like we have seen in New Zealand, and that builds public trust.”
A greater connection between government and society was noted as a breakthrough in shaping future governance during the pandemic.
In the UK, tens of thousands of people volunteered to help the under pressure National Health Service, while others gave up time to help the elderly or develop protective equipment for frontline health staff.
In the UAE, early projects to test remote working by government employees in 2017 gave officials a head start when staff were told to vacate offices under stay-home safety measures.
"Remote working in the UAE government is not a new thing but Covid-19 has accelerated the process," said Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, director general of the UAE's Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.
“We have seen a focused opportunity and approach across all sectors since the start of the crisis.
“Continuity of business was very important with automation an important element and a focus of the government.”
Dr Al Awar said more attention had been directed to e-learning and remote training workshops within government departments. One session was so successful, it was attended by 18,000 people, he said.
Meanwhile, policy leaders said the UAE was well placed to deal with enforced changes in a post-pandemic world.
"No futurist can claim to have predicted this crisis and no one knows what l come next," said Huda Al Hashimi, assistant director of general strategy and innovation at the UAE Prime Minister's Office.
“Many scenarios have been put in place for recovery.
“We are on a long journey with lots of ups and downs but how do we learn from this.
“People are awaiting answers and direction for clarity, so the expectation on governments has increased."
She said the role of governments post Covid-19 will become more challenging with increased expectations from the public.
“This virus has pushed many governments to the edge.”
A fast tracking of government policies and regulations to support bold decisions like lockdowns, business closures and social distancing were also a positive step that could be replicated in future.
“This was not the time for normal timelines for procedures,” said Ms Al Hashimi.
“We are now going back to a slow reopening of the economy.
“We postponed some taxes, built temporary hospitals and enacted distance learning very quickly in an emergency response to the virus.
“These decisions were not debated on, they moved quickly.”
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
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Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
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Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
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The specs: 2019 BMW i8 Roadster
Price, base: Dh708,750
Engine: 1.5L three-cylinder petrol, plus 11.6 kWh lithium-ion battery
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 374hp (total)
Torque: 570Nm (total)
Fuel economy, combined: 2.0L / 100km
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
UAE SQUAD FOR ASIAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP
Men’s squad: Faisal Al Ketbi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Kathiri, Thiab Al Nuaimi, Khaled Al Shehhi, Mohamed Ali Al Suwaidi, Farraj Khaled Al Awlaqi, Muhammad Al Ameri, Mahdi Al Awlaqi, Saeed Al Qubaisi, Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Hazaa Farhan
Women's squad: Hamda Al Shekheili, Shouq Al Dhanhani, Balqis Abdullah, Sharifa Al Namani, Asma Al Hosani, Maitha Sultan, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Maha Al Hanaei, Shamma Al Kalbani, Haya Al Jahuri, Mahra Mahfouz, Marwa Al Hosani, Tasneem Al Jahoori and Maryam Al Amri
Fixtures
Tuesday - 5.15pm: Team Lebanon v Alger Corsaires; 8.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Pharaohs
Wednesday - 5.15pm: Pharaohs v Carthage Eagles; 8.30pm: Alger Corsaires v Abu Dhabi Storms
Thursday - 4.30pm: Team Lebanon v Pharaohs; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Carthage Eagles
Friday - 4.30pm: Pharaohs v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Team Lebanon
Saturday - 4.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Team Lebanon
Rafael Nadal's record at the MWTC
2009 Finalist
2010 Champion
Jan 2011 Champion
Dec 2011 Semi-finalist
Dec 2012 Did not play
Dec 2013 Semi-finalist
2015 Semi-finalist
Jan 2016 Champion
Dec 2016 Champion
2017 Did not play
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
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I Feel Pretty
Dir: Abby Kohn/Mark Silverstein
Starring: Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams, Emily Ratajkowski, Rory Scovel
