اخبار سلطنة عُمان – وطن نيوز
اخر اخبار سلطنة عُمان اليوم – اخبار سلطنة عُمان العاجلة
W6nnews.com ==== وطن === تاريخ النشر – 2026-01-24 13:49:00
Written by – Fatima Al-Hadidi In the context of the growing interest in studying development issues and enhancing community participation in decision-making, a number of members of society continue their efforts to promote volunteer work, in line with national plans and programs aimed at harnessing the potential, to develop volunteer work and adopt youth projects and initiatives to be part of the participatory national action system, and coordinate efforts between civil society institutions, in the field of volunteer work, to reach a solid base that embraces volunteers, and highlights their contributions to the joint efforts that society needs, especially in some exceptional circumstances. And situations that require volunteers to participate with other entities to accomplish national community work. Among these efforts is the research study by researcher Khalifa Al-Dhabari, which highlighted important aspects related to development and the impact of participatory work in improving the quality of life, as the researcher chose North Al-Batinah Governorate as a research sample; Because of its demographic and social characteristics, and recalling examples of volunteer youth initiatives that contributed to raising the level of the governorate’s states in the field of volunteer work. The study recommended expanding the circle of future interest in community participation in the areas of local governance and environmental balance, giving importance to pressing issues that touch the most prominent segment of Omani society, “the youth group,” and intensifying the level of community participation in them. In addition to expanding the circle of interest in the areas of digital transformation and governance and enabling modern technologies in decision-making, and working to develop the center of unity of thought and expanding the circle of partnerships with the private sector in improving the idea and its governance. The study also stressed the importance of formulating a procedural regulatory guide for community participation to be a reference framework for the elements of the partnership. The researcher highlighted the need to pay attention to the participation of people with disabilities and professionals and ensure their inclusion in participatory work and the development process, and the importance of religious values in the perceptions of actors as a motivation for participatory behavior, and also highlights the importance of religious discourse. And religious institutions and their role in social mobilization and enhancing motivation towards volunteer work and participatory action, and contributing to achieving local development. The results of the study conducted by Al-Dhubari showed that there is a satisfactory public demand in the North Al Batinah Governorate for participatory work in local communities in the various states of the governorate, and this indicates a richness in the sources of social capital in Omani society. The study also showed that there is a hierarchy adopted by the local administrations in the North Al Batinah Governorate in interacting with the active public in dealing with local and development issues. This is consistent with the participatory model adopted by the Omani government. It also showed diversity in the fields and topics targeted by participatory programs and workshops between the government, represented by the local administrations in the North Al Batinah Governorate, and local actors in the various local development sectors according to the sample’s perceptions, where the following emerged according to For the following: municipal services and public services, tourism development, areas of investment and solidarity economy, support for small and medium enterprises, then areas of social care. The results of the study reflected a decline in community participation in the field of local governance, environmental balance and nature conservation, which requires focusing on these areas and giving them sufficient space for participation during the subsequent stages. The areas of work and employment, issues of job seekers, and issues of tourism development and investment are among the most prominent areas that require intensifying the level of community participation in related issues, as they are pressing issues that affect the youth group. In the North Al Batinah Governorate, two noteworthy models emerged: the Center for Unity of Thinking and Youth Initiatives, which relied on the capabilities of young people and local experts, based on innovative techniques and motivational competitions, attracting contemporary ideas and transforming ideas into implementable projects. Religious values are the most influential in shaping community participation, national values come next, and finally social values. The results also showed the existence of knowledge of communication channels between local administrations and various segments of society to ensure the communication of their ideas and aspirations, as well as evaluating the quality of public services or passing reports and complaints and tracking their progress. The responses showed a high level of knowledge of the laws regulating local development that promote decentralization, and the results reflect moderate confidence of the local community in the components of local administrations as they are an institutional organization and members, and that increasing the level of confidence is a development requirement during the next stage. The sample responses revealed a set of challenges facing action. Participatory participation in the North Al Batinah Governorate, the most important of which are: the prevailing ideas among young people that their opinion is not influential in development decisions, and the weak level of management and coordination between initiatives and volunteer efforts in the governorate. Features of participatory action Al-Dhabari said: His study aimed to identify the Omani society’s view of the level of community participation and its role in the development of governorates, and how people evaluate the reality of participatory action in local development. It also focused on clarifying how participatory work is organized in the Sultanate of Oman, and the factors that affect its form and path, in addition to understanding the values and motivations that move Omanis to community participation, as part of the cultural heritage and social awareness. Al-Dhabari aimed to monitor the agencies and forces influencing local development, and their role in formulating policies for the development of governorates. He highlighted the relationship between community participation and the advancement of the Omani governorates, and how participation contributes to supporting development projects and plans. As well as exploring the opportunities and challenges of participatory action from the point of view of actors in the development arena. The importance of the study is highlighted in the topic, which seeks to reveal in detail the formation of participatory action to understand its details and components, leading to predicting its future outcomes, which will contribute to directing this community action in what serves local development, and improving this study by arriving at recommendations and proposals that contribute to organizing participatory action in the governorates, strengthening the ways from which community energies for effective participation are launched, and overcoming the difficulties facing industry. Local decision-making, achieving comprehensive development in accordance with the goals of the future vision, and arriving at foundations and data from which to launch future studies and research in other fields. The study conducted by Al-Dhubari mentioned the development of participatory action across different time periods, starting with the centrality of the tribe in organizing and managing the affairs of social life in general, passing through the aflaj and irrigation systems, which are among the most prominent historical models that established participatory practice in Omani society, as well as the endowment system, which is one of the most prominent local practices in Omani society and one of the Forms of societal self-organization, which are rooted in the values and teachings of the Islamic religion. The “Omani Sabla” emerged to be a social form and a feature of Omani society, as it is a traditional local parliament and a tool for participation. As for the “Barzah”, it is the councils of scholars and notables and is common in Omani society, as it takes images and patterns that express participatory means among the components of the local society. Al-Dhubari added that the royal tours that Sultan Qaboos – may God have mercy on him – carried out and his periodic visits to various The governorates of the Sultanate are a social phenomenon and a unique experience of community participation that expresses the close connection between the leadership and the people. These tours constituted an opportunity to monitor social transformations in local communities and identify the needs and problems of citizens. The application of the principles of Shura in Omani society was of great importance, so that the Advisory Council contributed through the studies and recommendations it presented in the field of agricultural and fisheries development and industrial and economic development. The Council was interested in studying issues of Omanization in jobs in the public and private sectors. Al-Dhabari stressed that “Oman Vision 2040” adopted a participatory approach that is closer to citizens and an approach in which it expands the margin of community participation. This is evident in national projects and all public issues and development programs, and provides the space for individuals to present their visions and proposals. Community initiatives are an essential factor in building strong and sustainable communities and enhancing collective work to achieve positive change and improve people’s lives. The Sultanate of Oman has paid great attention to this aspect by adopting many programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing community participation, supporting sustainable development and improving the quality of life. Life. In this context, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth has embraced youth initiatives with the aim of attracting capabilities and capabilities and employing them in the service of society, highlighting the talents of young people and encouraging the exchange of experiences among them, which contributes to expanding their participation in the process of social development. Youth Initiatives Volunteer work represents a vital role in building societies and enhancing the spirit of participation and responsibility among its members, as it constitutes a basic foundation for supporting community initiatives and investing the energies of youth in work that benefits the nation. There is a renewed call to consolidate the culture of volunteering and expand the scope of community contribution, in a way that contributes to creating a more cohesive and aware society, capable of facing the challenges of the future in the spirit of solidarity and joint work. Among these initiatives has emerged the “We Care” health initiative headed by Aisha Al-Omaria, which aims to improve the community health pattern and raise the level of health awareness by holding programs and events that contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases and treatment of unhealthy behaviors, in addition to implementing studies and making recommendations that help in achieving a healthy society. Conscious. Al-Omaria confirmed that the initiative came to be an effective youth platform that seeks to raise the level of quality of healthy life and control and prevent chronic diseases, noting that “We care” about health is not just a name, but rather a message that we send to every individual in society that caring for health is a shared responsibility that begins with awareness and ends with improving the quality of life. The initiative has implemented many events and programs, including the “Diabetes Prevention and Management” event, the first women’s forum in North Al Batinah Governorate on breastfeeding, the “Oral Health” event, and confidence-building workshops. With the soul and healthy arts for anger management, in addition to the launch of the “Training Program for Healthy We Care Cinema” in the city of Buraimi, and the application of healthy cinema in the national campaign on seasonal influenza under the slogan “Our winter is not… our loved ones are fine,” and participation in the first Omani Conference for Healthy Cities in the city of Salalah, the “Purity and Life” campaign, and the “Women… The Pulse of the Nation” event on the occasion of Omani Women’s Day. The most prominent achievements of the initiative are the development of the “Healthy We Care Cinema” project, the first It is one of its kind in the Sultanate, which relies on audio-visual means to spread health awareness in a fun and interesting way that reaches various segments of society. The project received wide attention from several government agencies, and cooperation was made with the Ministry of Health and a number of health-promoting schools to implement training and awareness programs using this innovative means. Al-Omaria concluded her statement by emphasizing that the initiative seeks to be a role model in health volunteer work, and to instill in future generations the value of caring for health as part of the Omani identity. Efficiency Initiative. Ibrahim Al-Matroushi said. Head of the “Kafaa” Initiative: This initiative is a non-profit youth project that comes under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, and is one of the programs aimed at investing in the energies of young people and refining their capabilities. The initiative is concerned with qualifying young people, developing their professional and professional skills, and preparing them to confidently enter the world of entrepreneurship. The initiative targets the age group from 15 to 30 years old from various states of the North Al Batinah Governorate, as it works to discover and develop young people’s talents, and enable them to transform their skills and passions. To pioneer projects capable of competition and sustainability. “Kafa’a” offers a series of specialized training workshops, rehabilitation programs, and guidance meetings that contribute to building an Omani generation armed with knowledge, competence, and creativity, and capable of keeping pace with rapid changes and seizing future opportunities. It also focuses on enhancing the culture of self-employment, stimulating the spirit of innovation, and creating a supportive environment for youth initiatives that advance society and contribute to the economic development of the governorate. Shadia Al-Shibliy spoke about the “Educate Me” initiative. Regarding the “Teach Me” initiative, which included a thousand students, she said: The initiative aims to promote and consolidate moral values, as well as preserve customs and traditions and enhance national belonging. The initiative also aims to establish the concepts of coexistence and cohesion among members of society, as well as establishing partnerships and building programs that support values and promote positive behavior. The initiative also seeks to achieve the highest levels of excellence in educating society with the desired values and behaviors with inspiring leadership and community participation.
