The Empowerment and Elderly Care Center – Ehsan, in partnership with the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (official partner), has organized the Second Senior Citizens Forum.
The event was organized under the patronage of HE Buthaina bint Ali al-Jabr al-Nuaimi, Minister of Social Development and Family and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Foundation for Social Work. It was attended by HE Dr Hamadah bint Hassan al-Sulaiti, Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council; HE Dr Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak al- Khalifa, Secretary General of the National Planning Council; Rashed Mohamed al-Hamda al-Nuaimi, CEO of Qatar Foundation for Social Work; several board members of the Foundation; a number of officials, supporting partners, and members of Ehsan Center.
The forum embodied Ehsan’s commitment to highlighting the esteemed status of senior citizens in society as a fundamental pillar of the Qatari family and reflected the atate’s approach to empowering individuals and enhancing their quality of life. During the event, Ehsan launched its new strategy for 2025–2030 under the slogan “Inspired by their wisdom, we fulfill their aspirations.” This strategy places seniors at the heart of the development process and opens broader horizons for their active participation in all areas of life.
The new strategy is guided by a clear vision—to achieve leadership in enriching the lives of senior citizens within a supportive environment and an engaged community. Its mission emphasizes empowering seniors and enhancing their active participation in social development while raising public awareness of their rights and advocating for their causes. The strategy also reaffirms the Center’s core institutional values: respect, advocacy, sustainability, partnership, and institutional excellence—values that serve as the foundation for all its initiatives.
Ehsan’s strategy seeks to achieve key objectives focused on empowering senior citizens, enhancing their contributions to social development, improving the quality of services provided to them, and ensuring the sustainability of resources needed to meet their aspirations. This represents a major shift from the concept of traditional care to a comprehensive empowerment system that integrates various programs and fosters effective national partnerships. These partnerships aim to ensure the continuity and expansion of initiatives to achieve tangible impact while strengthening social ties between senior citizens and other segments of society.
Accordingly, Manal Ahmed al Mannai, CEO of Ehsan, stressed that launching this strategy marks the beginning of a new, more inclusive and innovative phase. She said:
“The launch of Ehsan’s new strategy reflects our commitment to shifting the focus from care to empowerment through innovative programs and strategic partnerships. We believe that our senior citizens are an invaluable national asset. Their wisdom and experiences inspire us to continue enhancing their dignity, status, and quality of life. The coming phase will translate this strategy into practical programs and distinctive initiatives that strengthen the role of senior citizens in society, ensuring that they remain lifelong partners in development and key pillars in nation-building.”
Further, Yousef Abdullah Fakhro, Chief Executive Officer of Marketing and Corporate Communications at the Qatar Financial Centre, said:
“Our support for this forum stems from our deep commitment to social responsibility and our belief in the importance of community partnerships in promoting sustainable development by enhancing the quality of life for all members of society. We regard senior citizens as an integral part of Qatar’s social fabric, and through our sponsorship of such initiatives, we aim to empower them, celebrate their status, and reinforce their role as active partners in the nation’s progress.”
The event’s program included a short documentary titled “A Journey’s Story – I Was There,” highlighting the role of senior citizens in Qatar’s development. The seniors themselves had a notable presence at the event. Mr. Mohamed Al-Sada delivered a heartfelt speech expressing pride in belonging to a generation that shaped the nation and contributed to its progress. He said that their joy today is complete as they witness their children and grandchildren continuing the path begun by their forefathers. Al-Sada also noted that being part of Ehsan has renewed their sense of purpose and reinforced their value and status in society, emphasizing that their role today lies in passing on their wisdom and experience to future generations to help build a stronger future. He concluded by expressing gratitude to the Center and to everyone who has supported their continued contribution.
At the conclusion of the forum, HE the Minister of Social Development and Family and Chairperson of the Board of the Qatar Foundation for Social Work, inaugurated Ehsan’s new strategy for 2025–2030—a step that reflects the State’s strong commitment to senior citizens and its dedication to empowering them and ensuring their active participation in society.
