UN HABITAT award for the man who made Bahrain a hub for pioneership
By: Ibrahim Al Mubaidheen (Akhbar Al Khaleej- 11/3/2007)
Translated by: Noreen AlThawadi & HMQ
Presenting Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa with the 2006 Special Citation of the Habitat Scroll of Honour Award might seem to be a personal occasion. In fact it is a personal occasion for every Bahraini citizen, every official, every resident of Bahrain and those loyal for its history, people and leadership.
This is how the award is perceived based on the proximity between Shaikh Khalifa and the government and people of Bahrain.
Bahrain differs from others in this sense as it considers itself a home celebrating the honouring of its leader.
This occasion is a time to recall how to trust the future, be proud of the present and communicate with the past.
The acknowledgment of the pioneership of the Premier on this international level is a point where Bahrain learns how to invest in its people, how to boost its trust in its leadership and how to have more pride and confidence in the leader of its rise.
Shaikh Khalifa has planted hope, ignited the spirit of challenge and has built the right track for Bahrain's constant development and major rise.
A lot of those who know the Prime Minister described with great astonishment his knowledge of the conditions of people.
He always seeks to learn from various sources about the hopes, aspirations, concerns and problems of people to see how he can help them.
On the other hand, many of those who had worked with Shaikh Khalifa have described with great passion and admiration the way he continuously focuses on the living conditions of people, lifting their burdens and working on the development of their ability to be creative and productive.
The admiration of the first group is a personal impression while the second a natural response to his charisma and wise leadership.
But now there are higher and more credible levels of acknowledgment represented by the content of international reports and declarations on the developmental role of Shaikh Khalifa. They present him
as the dignified figure who had been instrumental in Bahrain's advancement and who has accomplished the major political scheme of establishing the infrastructure of this country and maintaining its march.
This is despite the local and regional challenges, lack of resources and geographical disadvantages.
What is interesting here is that the admiration for the relation Shaikh Khalifa has built with the people
of this country has gone beyond the limits of Bahrain.
It has become the center of attention of international organisations and UN bodies and programmes especially.
As a matter of fact, this international attention has been present from many years through the series of human development reports which have been classifying Bahrain as the first in the Arab world in this domain.
There have been many forms of international appreciation for the prominent role of Shaikh Khalifa.
These included medallions, honourary doctorates and international rankings issued by specialised organisations and establishments.
This is in addition to periodical and annual reports affirming the status of the policy followed by the Premier in managing the country.
This occasion is an opportunity to learn more about the award, its global significance and value for the leadership, government and people of Bahrain.
The Special Citation of the Habitat Scroll of Honour Award
was launched in 2003 and has been previously awarded to two kings, two presidents and one prime minister who was the late Lebanese Rafeeq Al Hariri.
Although the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the direct presenter of the award, it does not really work alone.
It collaborates with a big group of UN bodies which evaluate the figures nominated for the award considering that the achievements the award covers are in harmony with their goals and policies.
These bodies include: The UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Economic, Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) and the International Labor Organisation (ILO).
These organisations work on activating and establishing basic human rights such as housing and health. They also seek anchoring the principles of sustainable development endorsed by the Johannesburg Summit in 2002.
The conference affirmed that the partnerships in this field are not a substitute for the responsibilities and commitments of governments. International partnerships are only aimed at enhancing the quality of the work expected from governments.
The UN Habitat is aimed at improving human development conditions and achieving growth strategies catering for the interests of the disadvantaged, civil community and human rights in accordance with national targets and priorities.
The Special Citation awarded by the programme is presented to leaders with outstanding contributions in building and boosting the capabilities of ministries and government establishments concerned with housing and urban planning.
It also considers the achievement of an organizational framework for providing citizens with basic and public services, providing homes for all citizens and linking all that to high levels of human and social development with effective modern administration over a long span.
According to human development reports issued by the UN over many years, Bahrain stands first in the Arab world in these domains.
The award has a sentimental value as it is presented to the man who represents the spirit of the country and stands for the confidence in its future and achievements.
On the other hand, the objective significance of the award comes in that it is presented to the leader who gave Bahrain its status.
Shaikh Khalifa made the kingdom a hub of financial and banking organisations, of civilization and knowledge and of experiences that contribute in promoting national
economy, stability and prosperity.
Academically and politically, this prestigious award went to a statesman who has worked over more than half a century on supporting the efforts of the government to improve national development strategies.
He contributed to formulating development policies, enhancing sectoral and community affairs management, providing job opportunities and improving living conditions.
Shaikh Khalifa created rational transparent systems capable of planning and coordination for responding to the requirements of internal and external policies, enforcing economic initiatives, upgrading business support services, and developing free and independent media.
These systems also facilitated reforms of the judiciary system and gender equality in national policies
in addition to supporting special issues and strategies.
The need to protect children and the youth, develop policies, systems and mechanisms
safeguarding children's rights and implement projects promoting Bahraini youth.
Internationally speaking, the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award was this year deservedly bestowed
on a statesman whose successive governments have been adopting viable resource management and
pro-poor reform policies, setting crystal clear human development policies, fighting social alienation,
creating job opportunities and bridging social gaps between citizens.
Shaikh Khalifa's governments have also been keen on enabling women to play an essential role in the
development and decision-making processes, protecting the environment, wisely managing the
exploitation of the scarse water resources and providing a reasonable degree of regional and national
stability thanks to a well-based democracy.
The prime minister's sagacious directives earned the kingdom such a reputation in terms of human
development records and enabled it to meet the UN development goals and acquire a leading status in
terms of sustainable development achievements, openness, transparency and economic freedom.
At the human level, Shaikh Khalifa deserved the honour for his modesty, confident and unflinching
stances and historic challenges for the sake of his nation and people.
He has always been fully aware and serious, daring in taking decisions with a notable equanimity in
the face of challenges. He mastered a bigotry-free art of ruling and an impeccable way of dealing with
people- being kind with the kind, forebearing with the mean and faithful to the loyal.
Translated by: Noreen AlThawadi & HMQ
Presenting Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa with the 2006 Special Citation of the Habitat Scroll of Honour Award might seem to be a personal occasion. In fact it is a personal occasion for every Bahraini citizen, every official, every resident of Bahrain and those loyal for its history, people and leadership.
This is how the award is perceived based on the proximity between Shaikh Khalifa and the government and people of Bahrain.
Bahrain differs from others in this sense as it considers itself a home celebrating the honouring of its leader.
This occasion is a time to recall how to trust the future, be proud of the present and communicate with the past.
The acknowledgment of the pioneership of the Premier on this international level is a point where Bahrain learns how to invest in its people, how to boost its trust in its leadership and how to have more pride and confidence in the leader of its rise.
Shaikh Khalifa has planted hope, ignited the spirit of challenge and has built the right track for Bahrain's constant development and major rise.
A lot of those who know the Prime Minister described with great astonishment his knowledge of the conditions of people.
He always seeks to learn from various sources about the hopes, aspirations, concerns and problems of people to see how he can help them.
On the other hand, many of those who had worked with Shaikh Khalifa have described with great passion and admiration the way he continuously focuses on the living conditions of people, lifting their burdens and working on the development of their ability to be creative and productive.
The admiration of the first group is a personal impression while the second a natural response to his charisma and wise leadership.
But now there are higher and more credible levels of acknowledgment represented by the content of international reports and declarations on the developmental role of Shaikh Khalifa. They present him
as the dignified figure who had been instrumental in Bahrain's advancement and who has accomplished the major political scheme of establishing the infrastructure of this country and maintaining its march.
This is despite the local and regional challenges, lack of resources and geographical disadvantages.
What is interesting here is that the admiration for the relation Shaikh Khalifa has built with the people
of this country has gone beyond the limits of Bahrain.
It has become the center of attention of international organisations and UN bodies and programmes especially.
As a matter of fact, this international attention has been present from many years through the series of human development reports which have been classifying Bahrain as the first in the Arab world in this domain.
There have been many forms of international appreciation for the prominent role of Shaikh Khalifa.
These included medallions, honourary doctorates and international rankings issued by specialised organisations and establishments.
This is in addition to periodical and annual reports affirming the status of the policy followed by the Premier in managing the country.
This occasion is an opportunity to learn more about the award, its global significance and value for the leadership, government and people of Bahrain.
The Special Citation of the Habitat Scroll of Honour Award
was launched in 2003 and has been previously awarded to two kings, two presidents and one prime minister who was the late Lebanese Rafeeq Al Hariri.
Although the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the direct presenter of the award, it does not really work alone.
It collaborates with a big group of UN bodies which evaluate the figures nominated for the award considering that the achievements the award covers are in harmony with their goals and policies.
These bodies include: The UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Economic, Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) and the International Labor Organisation (ILO).
These organisations work on activating and establishing basic human rights such as housing and health. They also seek anchoring the principles of sustainable development endorsed by the Johannesburg Summit in 2002.
The conference affirmed that the partnerships in this field are not a substitute for the responsibilities and commitments of governments. International partnerships are only aimed at enhancing the quality of the work expected from governments.
The UN Habitat is aimed at improving human development conditions and achieving growth strategies catering for the interests of the disadvantaged, civil community and human rights in accordance with national targets and priorities.
The Special Citation awarded by the programme is presented to leaders with outstanding contributions in building and boosting the capabilities of ministries and government establishments concerned with housing and urban planning.
It also considers the achievement of an organizational framework for providing citizens with basic and public services, providing homes for all citizens and linking all that to high levels of human and social development with effective modern administration over a long span.
According to human development reports issued by the UN over many years, Bahrain stands first in the Arab world in these domains.
The award has a sentimental value as it is presented to the man who represents the spirit of the country and stands for the confidence in its future and achievements.
On the other hand, the objective significance of the award comes in that it is presented to the leader who gave Bahrain its status.
Shaikh Khalifa made the kingdom a hub of financial and banking organisations, of civilization and knowledge and of experiences that contribute in promoting national
economy, stability and prosperity.
Academically and politically, this prestigious award went to a statesman who has worked over more than half a century on supporting the efforts of the government to improve national development strategies.
He contributed to formulating development policies, enhancing sectoral and community affairs management, providing job opportunities and improving living conditions.
Shaikh Khalifa created rational transparent systems capable of planning and coordination for responding to the requirements of internal and external policies, enforcing economic initiatives, upgrading business support services, and developing free and independent media.
These systems also facilitated reforms of the judiciary system and gender equality in national policies
in addition to supporting special issues and strategies.
The need to protect children and the youth, develop policies, systems and mechanisms
safeguarding children's rights and implement projects promoting Bahraini youth.
Internationally speaking, the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award was this year deservedly bestowed
on a statesman whose successive governments have been adopting viable resource management and
pro-poor reform policies, setting crystal clear human development policies, fighting social alienation,
creating job opportunities and bridging social gaps between citizens.
Shaikh Khalifa's governments have also been keen on enabling women to play an essential role in the
development and decision-making processes, protecting the environment, wisely managing the
exploitation of the scarse water resources and providing a reasonable degree of regional and national
stability thanks to a well-based democracy.
The prime minister's sagacious directives earned the kingdom such a reputation in terms of human
development records and enabled it to meet the UN development goals and acquire a leading status in
terms of sustainable development achievements, openness, transparency and economic freedom.
At the human level, Shaikh Khalifa deserved the honour for his modesty, confident and unflinching
stances and historic challenges for the sake of his nation and people.
He has always been fully aware and serious, daring in taking decisions with a notable equanimity in
the face of challenges. He mastered a bigotry-free art of ruling and an impeccable way of dealing with
people- being kind with the kind, forebearing with the mean and faithful to the loyal.
