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In implementation of the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, attended today the reading retreat, along with 100 important national figures to promote reading and make it a permanent habit in the UAE.

Earlier, the UAE President announced 2016 as the year of reading, being an essential skill for a new generation of academics, researchers and innovators.

In the presence of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed said, "The year of reading is the beginning of a permanent change in the UAE society to foster a reader generation conscious of developments, and ready to lead a new stage of development in the country. The retreat intends to set a strategy, initiatives and sustainable programmes through which we can make a real difference in our future generations and consolidate reading to become a genuine habit in our society and institutions."

He added that " Reading is the first skill needed by our children. The function of the government is not only to provide services but to build brains and skills. The next development phase requires a cultured and reader generation with a passion for curiosity and depth of learning."

Sheikh Mohammed said, "We are optimistic about the future and the educated generation. We are also optimistic about peoples who read their history and prepare for their future. Every responsible father and mother and all those keen on the future of our children are our partners in reading. We want to read in every school, department and office, home and in all our facilities, and our gardens and our streets. The starting point is here from the retreat of 100 figures."

Among others present were Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The participants discussed more than 100 ideas and initiatives, which will be the backbone of long-term strategy.

Sheikh Mohammed directed the setting up of a higher supervisory committees for the year of reading. It includes the competent public officials from the Ministries of Culture, Education and others. It will be chaired by Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gargawi, Minister of the Cabinet Affairs.

The committee will set an integrated strategy and comprehensive national framework to encourage reading and change the societal conduct to spread the reading culture among all the categories. It will co-ordinate all efforts to consolidate the UAE as the capital for knowledge content in the region, and implement the directives of the President to allow a reader generation to graduate and become capable of leading a knowledge-driven economy.

The media sector is the main channel to reach out for all sectors to implement the national plan to make the UAE a beacon for of knowledge and development through the reading. Thus, the group that represents the media sector includes seasoned media personalities in the UAE, led by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of National Media Council.