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Doha, November 05 (QNA) - The Qatar Foundation for Social Work (QFSW) organized a dialogue session on technology as a social enabler, supporting families and promoting mental health for comprehensive development, in partnership with the Executive Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Labor and the Social Affairs Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, as part of the activities of the Second World Summit for Social Development.The session highlighted the vital role of technology in strengthening family and social cohesion, improving access to psychological and social services, and showcasing pioneering local and Gulf-based models in leveraging digital solutions to serve beneficiaries.It also addressed the challenges and risks arising from the misuse of technology and artificial intelligence, and their impact on mental health and family stability.QFSW's Director of Strategic Planning, Shaima Ahmed Al Janahi, emphasized in her opening remarks that technology has become an essential component of modern social work, calling for its harnessing in ways that serve sustainable development while preserving social values.Director of the Family Consulting Centerآ (Wifaq),آ Eng. Jabr Rashid Al Nuaimi, presented the center's experience in digital transformation for providing family counseling, noting that digitization has become a pressing necessity to ensure services reach all segments of society flexibly and swiftly.He explained that the center launched a range of interactive digital platforms enabling families to communicate with social and psychological specialists remotely with high confidentiality and professionalism, overcoming geographical barriers and providing timely support. The digital transformation also allowed the center to build a comprehensive database contributing to a deeper understanding of family challenges and the development of preventive programs based on statistical analysis and artificial intelligence.Al Nuaimi stressed that this step reflects a comprehensive national vision that adopts technology as a means to enhance family stability and achieve sustainable social development, calling for the exchange of Gulf experiences to develop advanced digital counseling systems.Executive Director of the Center for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly (Ehsan), Manal Ahmed Al Mannai, highlighted the importance of leveraging technology to empower older adults, reviewing the center's initiatives in digital education and virtual interaction, helping seniors learn to use smart applications to access health and social services easily and flexibly.She explained that digital empowerment of the elderly contributes to improving their quality of life, supporting their mental health, and combating social isolation. Almannai noted that the center's programs aim to build an inclusive digital society, ensuring active participation of seniors in public life and enhancing intergenerational communication. She added that Ehsan's experience aligns with Qatar's vision of building a cohesive society that embraces all its segments and reinforces values of compassion and humanitarian solidarity, with technology representing an opportunity to integrate seniors into society through knowledge, interaction, and participation.In a wide-ranging intervention on the role of technology in preventing domestic violence and creating a safe digital environment, Acting Executive Director of the Social Protection and Rehabilitation Center (Aman), Fadel Mohammed Al Kaabi, noted that digital transformation has opened new horizons for protecting individuals, while also presenting unprecedented challenges that require a comprehensive institutional response.Al Kaabi explained that Aman developed electronic platforms and a hotline allowing women and children to communicate confidentially and safely in case of any form of violence or abuse, in addition to launching digital awareness programs targeting families on safe internet use and protection from online risks.He emphasized the importance of coordination among social institutions, cybersecurity, education, and media to unify efforts in addressing emerging challenges in cyberspace, asserting that technology can be an effective tool for prevention and protection when implemented within ethical and legal frameworks that safeguard privacy and social values.Al Kaabi also stressed the center's commitment to raising community awareness and promoting a culture of digital safety, transforming technology from a potential threat into an effective means of empowering individuals and protecting families.Director of Labor and Social Development at the Executive Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Labor and the Social Affairs Council of the GCC states Khalil Bouhazaa discussed the common Gulf frameworks supporting families through digital solutions and smart social policies, highlighting the importance of joint Gulf efforts in developing unified platforms to enhance the effectiveness of social services and improve quality of life.He noted that GCC states are steadily moving toward building an integrated digital social system based on innovation and predictive analytics to identify family needs and enhance social protection.At the conclusion of the dialogue session, participants emphasized the importance of responsible use of technology and intensifying joint efforts among Gulf and international institutions to develop digital social innovation systems, promote mental health, support families, and build a more aware and stable societal environment amid accelerating technological transformations.This session was organized as part of the QFSW's participation in the activities of the Second World Summit for Social Development, reaffirming its role as an active national partner in supporting sustainable development efforts. (QNA)
