####16-Year-Old Student Wins International Children’s Peace Prize On Dec. 2, in the Hague, the Netherlands, Kehkashan Basu, an Indian student from Dubai’s Deira International School, won the International Children’s Peace Prize for 2016. Competing against 120 other contestants, Basu won the award for her work in environmental awareness and protection. Founder of the Green Hope Youth Organization in the UAE, Basu is also a Youth Ambassador of the World Future Council and has been a member of the United Nations Environment Programme Major Groups Facilitating Committee.

“The work that I do is not for a particular award, but I did think that if I won the award, I’d be a role model for other young people and children in the world to continue to do their work and it will raise awareness,” said Basu after being awarded the prize.

####97 Teenagers Naturalized Under Presidential Decree On Nov. 29, ahead of the UAE’s 45th National Day, 97 children born to Emirati mothers were granted citizenship to the UAE. According to a presidential decree announced by President of the UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2011, children of Emirati women with foreign fathers may be naturalized on their 18th birthday, a decision that was met with wide approval. The new citizens were presented with their naturalization documents by The General Directorate of Naturalization in Abu Dhabi.

“This decision embodies our leadership’s continuous engagement with the concerns of our citizens,” said Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, head of the Department of Naturalization.

The recipients are now eligible for education, employment and health benefits available only to Emiratis.

####UAE Celebrates Developments Toward Vision 2021 Goals On Dec. 1, President of the UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced that the UAE has made significant progress toward its planned goals for Vision 2021. Thus far, developments have been made in areas including justice, education, healthcare and the environment, by adopting relevant policies and national strategies.

“[For this reason], the Emirates Council for Youth and the Emirates Council for Scientists were set up,” said Sheikh Khalifa on the eve of the country’s 45th National Day celebrations.

Vision 2021, announced by the UAE Cabinet in 2015, calls on the country to “[take] its place on the global stage as a model of tolerance and civilised coexistence.” Vice President of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum echoed the Cabinet’s statement.

“[The UAE calls] on all peoples, societies and believers of all faiths and cultures to recognise our similarities and to coexist peacefully, and to oppose conflicts intended to create instability and discourage development,” said Sheikh Mohammed.