The Source Magazine Issue 260 December 2022

Fam ly

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Mohammed

Al Neyadi

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Wendy Peach

CONTRIBUTORS

Dr Arif Khan

Kerry Lynch

Niranjan Gidwani

Alison Soltani

Chef Vanessa Bayma

Tom Crombie

Maša Karleuša Valkanou

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JOIN OUR EARLY YEARS STAY & PLAY ADMISSION SESSIONS

Brighton College Al Ain is hosting fun, interactive ‘Stay & Play’ sessions in January and February, for FS1 and FS2 admissions for September 2023. Join us to meet our vibrant, family-orientated community, learn about our innovative Curiosity Approach in the Early Years, see our stimulating facilities and discover how we ensure the best possible start for our pupils.

At Brighton College Al Ain, we nurture education centred on kindness, curiosity and confidence. We celebrate the uniqueness of every individual, fostering a respect for diversity and recognition of the efforts and achievements of all. We encourage pupils to be true to themselves and kind to one another.

Our innovative British Early Years Curriculum is taught in ways that build on a child’s curiosity and interests. Our world-class educators create stimulating, challenging and inspiring learning environments where children's passions are unearthed. They learn by playing and exploring through a mixture of planned and open-ended play activities in our creative, nature-inspired learning spaces both indoors and outdoors.

Brighton College Al Ain is part of one of the most academically successful school groups in the UAE, together with its sister s Dhabi and Dubai.

brightoncollegealain.ae

The only school in Al Ain rated ‘Outstanding’ by ADEK

What is a Nurse Practitioner? A B O U T K A N A D H O S P I T A L P R I M A R Y C A R E

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

l e o f N u r s e P r a c t i t i o n e r h a s b e e n i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s s i n c e t h e 1 9 6 0 s b u t b e c a m e m o r e f o r m a l i z e d a n d s u b s e q u e n t l y m o r e r e c o g n i z e d i n t h e 1 9 9 0 s N u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r s a r e p r o f e s s i o n a l s w h o h a v e c o m p l e t e d a d d i t i o n a l t r a i n i n g b e y o n d t h e B a c h e l o r ' s l e v e l o f n u r s i n g t o a t l e a s t t h e M a s t e r ’ s l e v e l T h e n f u r t h e r t e s t i n g a n d c r e d e n t i a l i n g f r o m r e s p e c t i v e N u r s i n g B o a r d s i s m a n d a t o r y i n o r d e r t o p r a c t i c e a s a n u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r .

T h e r o l e o f N u r s e P r a c t i t i o n e r h a s b e e n i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s s i n c e t h e 1 9 6 0 s b u t b e c a m e m o r e f o r m a l i z e d a n d s u b s e q u e n t l y m o r e r e c o g n i z e d i n t h e 1 9 9 0 s . N u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r s a r e p r o f e s s i o n a l s w h o h a v e c o m p l e t e d a d d i t i o n a l t r a i n i n g b e y o n d t h e B a c h e l o r ' s l e v e l o f n u r s i n g t o a t l e a s t t h e M a s t e r ’ s l e v e l T h e n f u r t h e r t e s t i n g a n d c r e d e n t i a l i n g f r o m r e s p e c t i v e N u r s i n g B o a r d s i s m a n d a t o r y i n o r d e r t o p r a c t i c e a s a n u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r .

P r a c t i c a l l y s p e a k i n g , n u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r s p r o v i d e c a r e , i l l n e s s p r e v e n t i o n a n d c u r e t h r o u g h d i a g n o s i n g , p r e s c r i b i n g m e d i c a t i o n s , o r d e r i n g d i a g n o s t i c

P r a c t i c a l l y s p e a k i n g , n u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r s p r o v i d e c a r e , i l l n e s s p r e v e n t i o n a n d c u r e t h r o u g h d i a g n o s i n g , p r e s c r i b i n g m e d i c a t i o n s , o r d e r i n g d i a g n o s t i c

t e s t i n g , a n d r e f e r r i n g t o o t h e r s e r v i c e s o r p r o f e s s i o n a l s . N u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r r o l e s a r e u n i q u e b e c a u s e t h e y a r e b a s e d a r o u n d a n u r s i n g r o l e , b u t t h e y h a v e a n i n c r e a s e d l e v e l o f k n o w l e d g e a n d a b i l i t y t o p r o v i d e d i r e c t h e a l t h c a r e s e r v i c e s t o i n d i v i d u a l s , f a m i l i e s a n d c o m m u n i t i e s T h e r e a r e m a n y c h a l l e n g e s t o a c c e s s i b l e , s a f e , a n d a f f o r d a b l e h e a l t h c a r e i n m a n y p a r t s o f t h e n u r s i n g , a n d o n e w a y t h i s c a n b e a d d r e s s e d i s b y u t i l i z i n g m o r e n u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r s i n P r i m a r y C a r e .

t e s t i n g , a n d r e f e r r i n g t o o t h e r s e r v i c e s o r p r o f e s s i o n a l s . N u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r r o l e s a r e u n i q u e b e c a u s e t h e y a r e b a s e d a r o u n d a n u r s i n g r o l e , b u t t h e y h a v e a n i n c r e a s e d l e v e l o f k n o w l e d g e a n d a b i l i t y t o p r o v i d e d i r e c t h e a l t h c a r e s e r v i c e s t o i n d i v i d u a l s , f a m i l i e s a n d c o m m u n i t i e s T h e r e a r e m a n y c h a l l e n g e s t o a c c e s s i b l e , s a f e , a n d a f f o r d a b l e h e a l t h c a r e i n m a n y p a r t s o f t h e n u r s i n g , a n d o n e w a y t h i s c a n b e a d d r e s s e d i s b y u t i l i z i n g m o r e n u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r s i n P r i m a r y C a r e

N u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r s s e r v e p a t i e n t s f r o m b i r t h t o 9 9 y e a r s o f a g e . T h e y f o c u s o n

N u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r s s e r v e p a t i e n t s f r o m b i r t h t o 9 9 y e a r s o f a g e . T h e y f o c u s o n

p r e v e n t i o n , h e a l t h a n d w e l l n e s s , a n d p a t i e n t e d u c a t i o n w i t h a h o l i s t i c n u r s i n g a p p r o a c h t o c a r e . T h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o u n c i l o f N u r s i n g ( I C N ) h a s b e e n w o r k i n g t o c r e a t e a w o r l d w i d e a w a r e n e s s o f t h e n u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r r o l e a n d t o u s e t h e m m o r e t h r o u g h o u t t h e w o r l d

p r e v e n t i o n , h e a l t h a n d w e l l n e s s , a n d p a t i e n t e d u c a t i o n w i t h a h o l i s t i c n u r s i n g a p p r o a c h t o c a r e . T h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o u n c i l o f N u r s i n g ( I C N ) h a s b e e n w o r k i n g t o c r e a t e a w o r l d w i d e a w a r e n e s s o f t h e n u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r r o l e a n d t o u s e t h e m m o r e t h r o u g h o u t t h e w o r l d

K a n a d H o s p i t a l c u r r e n t l y h a s t w o n u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r s , L o r i B a l l a r d a n d K a r e n K u b i n e c , a n d t h e y a r e t h e f i r s t e v e r t o r e t r i e v e a n u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r l i c e n s e f r o m t h e A b u D h a b i D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h .

K a n a d H o s p i t a l c u r r e n t l y h a s t w o n u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r s , L o r i B a l l a r d a n d K a r e n K u b i n e c , a n d t h e y a r e t h e f i r s t e v e r t o r e t r i e v e a n u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r l i c e n s e f r o m t h e A b u D h a b i D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h

Al Ain’s worldclass adventure hub right on your doorstep

Looking for a bit of adventure but without the drive? Look no further than Pura Resort - Al Ain’s very own eco resort and adventure hub.

Something for everyone, Pura offers accommodation, adventure activities as well as access to one of the oldest historical sites in the region.

Only a 10 minute drive past Bawadi Mall in Al Ain, Pura Resort is situated in the Jebel Hafeet Desert Park. Easily accessible from the main road, the hub is only a short drive (on dirt) from the

main gate. Guests and visitors who prefer not to drive on the non-tar road can ask to be driven in one of the Park vehicles from the main gate to the hub. Once at the hub, a Pura Resort staff member can drive guests to and from their accommodation site.

ADVENTURE HUB

Situated at the check area, the adventure hub is where you can book and partake in all activities mentioned below:

• Camel Riding

•

•

Buggy Rides

Hiking

• Off Road electric skate boarding •

Bicycles

Activities should be booked in advance to avoid dissapointment. Day visitors can call ahead to ensure that their chosen activity is available before they come. Park entry is free for visitors with a booking at the resort.

Camel Riding - a great place to get a more authentic camel riding experience, the track leads far into the foothills of Jebel Hafeet. Be-

ing out in the open gives a true sense of desert adventure as you are led through the rocky plains. There are great photo ops as well and I was sure that our gorgeous camel was actually posing for the picture.

For those wanting to visit the ancient tombs (check out the feature in our 30th January 2023 issue), we highly recommend taking the guided buggy ride. You can choose a wild ride that will have you hanging on as you fly down the dirt track and through the wadis, or a more sedate pace depending on your comfort level.

All guests are fitted with helmets for safety before you set off with a well trained and very knowledable guides. On arrival at the tombs, you will get a mini history lesson and then have some great opportunities to take photos in some of the best spots in the cave behind the ruins.

For skateboarding enthusiasts, test your skills on the only off road electric skateboarding track in the UAE. Longboards are available for hire at the hub.

For more information on activity pricing please contact Pura Eco Resort.

RESTAURANT

Jebel Hafeet provides the perfect backdrop for the outdoor restaurant situated at the main hub. Relax under the lazy afternoon sun or enjoy a starlit evening accompanied by a delicious meal. We highly recommend the cheesecake and coffee for a mid afternoon treat and for those early risers, why not finish off your hike through the park with a delicious breakfast

Day visitors are welcome and you do not need a booking to eat at the restaurant.

ACCOMMODATION

If you are looking for a glamping experience close to home but with a true “middle of nowhere” feel, then Pura is the place to go to soak up the silence of nature.

There are 4 options ranging from literally just a patch of sand for camping, right through to luxury dome tents with en suite facilities, wifi and apple TV.

OPTION 1

Campsites

Located quite a way into the park, you will forget that you are only a stones through away from the city.

The campsites each come with their own “storage unit” in the form of a wooden cabinet that campers can store pots and gear in. There are no electrical points on the sites but there is electricity available for charging phones etc in the ablution hut. (No showers, but there are toilets and a basin).

Campsites are big enough to hold 4 to 5 small tents and can comfortably accommodate 8 - 10 people. Rates: AED 250 per day

OPTION 2 Traditional style family tents

For larger groups travelling together this is a great option. Available in different room sizes, the traditional tents are located near the rear of the park, nicely secluded in their own special area. BBQ areas and a general seating area are also available.

OPTION 3 Clear dome tents (couples only)

The ultimate experience for a romantic couple retreat looking to really get away from it all. These clear dome tents will really be a stay to remember. Lie back and let nature and the stars into your space. *Clear tents are reserved for couples only*

OPTION 4

Luxury dome tents

Fully equipped with seating area

inside and out, patio deck, apple TV, luxury bathroom, airconditioning and fridge, slippers, extra blankets and and and, this is eco glamping on a whole new level. Sit back and relax while resort staff light your campfire and you gaze at the stars.

For those that prefer to dine at their tent, there is also a new VIP BBQ experience that will be delivered directly to your door.

The BBQ basket comes with choice of main course, salad, drinks, bread and it’s very own mini charcoal BBQ which will also be started by staff so you can then cook your own meal as you like it.

For more information and bookings please visit: https:// jhdp.ae

A ZOFLORA HAMPER

3 lucky winners will win a cleaning hamper from UK’s No.1 disinfectant brand, Zoflora worth AED100 each!

Answer the question opposite and e-mail your answer with your name and contact number to competition@thesourceuae.com by 30 December 2022

Must be resident in Al Ain to qualify for this prize. Must be over 18. T’s & C’s apply.

Here to help bring a little magic into your cleaning routine, Zoflora is giving 3 lucky readers the chance to win a hamper of Zoflora’s beautifully smelling products.

Zoflora, the UK’s number 1 disinfectant not only kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses that cause illnesses and bad odours, but also leaves your home with a beautifully long-lasting fragrance.

A little goes a long way with Zoflora, with one 500ml bottle making 20 litres of ready to use disinfectant

when diluted 1 in 40 with water. With over six fruity, floral and fresh perfumer developed fragrances to choose from, there’s a scent to suit every room and mood, whether you spray it, soak it, wipe it or mop it! Zoflora fragrances are available to purchase online and instore including major ecommerce platforms across the GCC.

COMPETITION QUESTION

How effective is Zoflora’s germ-killing properties?

99.9% 98% 97%

IN

Global Village invites the world to celebrate the night of seven midnights this New

Year’s Eve

If one countdown isn’t enough for you or you just can’t wait until midnight, how about ringing in the New Year seven times in one night on December 31! That’s what guests will be able to do this New Year’s Eve as Global Village, the UAE and wider region’s leading multicultural family destination for culture, shopping, and entertainment, counts down to midnight from seven different time zones from around the world.

The New Year celebrations kick-off at 8pm local time on the Main Stage, coinciding with midnight in the Philippines before moving to Thailand (9pm), Bangladesh (10pm), India (10.30pm), Pakistan (11pm), UAE (12am) and finishing with Turkey (1am). Each midnight will have its own dedicated countdown and signature Global Village firework display.

Shaun Cornell, Director of Entertainment at Global Village said, “This December 31 we’re inviting everyone to head down to Global Village with family and friends for a New Year’s Eve unlike any other. With seven midnights in one night and celebrations running throughout the evening with tons of entertainment at the Main Stage, around the park and in the sky, Global Village guests are in for a night to remember.”

If seven midnights isn’t enough for you, guests can also explore over 90 different cultures at Global Village. With over 3,500 shopping outlets, more than 250 dining options, performers from over 40 countries around the world and 175 rides, games and attractions there’s something for everyone at the region’s leading multicultural family destination for culture, shopping, and entertainment.

Saturday, December 31st will be exclusively reserved for ladies and families at Global Village.

Gates open at 4pm and opening hours have been extended until 2 am enabling guests to experience everything Global Village has to offer.

Tickets are available online and on the Global Village app. Follow the Global Village social media channels for the latest updates: Instagram: @GlobalVillageUAE

Screentime in children

A new age monster we carry

Since the COVID 19 pandemic began, children’s screen time has doubled. An adolescent spends nearly 8 hours in front of a screen.

Attention for children is difficult to sustain during their school assignments and home works, however, they can sit infromt of a screen for hours without blinking an eyelid. What do screens have that the rest of the activities in the world do not?

Firstly, it is a one way information passage, as it’s passive and you keep getting entertained, while you jump between different platforms from streaming, to gaming, to social media, texting, video chatting and surfing. The elation or surprise factor while scrolling a facebook page or Instagram account is endless. As a child, their mind looks for

more and awaits responses to their comments or interaction. It’s like living a small world inside the real world where your information is endless (but not necessarily accurate) and you have access to everyone without boundaries.

The amount of screen time that our children consume at schools is unacceptable. We have to bring the books back! This is easy said than done but taking a step back is the need of the hour.

We don’t know the long term side effects of excessive screentime as this is the first generation that is experiencing this kind of technology in their palms. Its like you can explore the entire world in your palm. Something that started as an information access and reservoir has turned into this digital monster.

We do know that screen adversely affects sleep, memory, physical health, eyesight and behaviour. However, we still get pulled inside its colorful and endless world and before we know it we spend most of our awake time staring at a piece of plastic block.

Its ironic, that I am trying to reach out to you using a digital platform but I had no choice.

Dr Arif Khan, Paediatric Neurologist, Founder of Neuropedia, a company that specializes in childhood neurological conditions such as epilepsy and seizure disorders, headaches and migraines, sleep disorders, neuromuscular conditions, movement disorders, neonatal neurology, cerebrovascular stroke, cerebral palsy, neurometabolic conditions, neurogenetic conditions, neurobehavioural conditions, autism and ADHD.

https://neuropedia.ae/

Dr Arif Khan, Paediatric Neurologist, Founder of Neuropedia

The Power of People:

How word-of-mouth continues to accelerate business growth

For the last 10 years, business models have been taking big leaps toward profits with marketing strategies largely driven by new technologies. However, word of mouth remains the biggest driver of business even today. People share ideas or content or experiences that reinforce their values or their sense of identity, which is good for their “personal brand”.

Tech-savvy consumers are sharing games or products on smartphones because they value the people they surround themselves with and want to support friends and peers by sharing content that will resonate with them.

When Austrian psychologist Ernest Dichter laid out key motivations for people to talk about brands and products, product involvement (33%) and self-involvement (24%) were revealed as key factors. When consumers tell their own stories, they are covering what is important to them to tell the world and amplifying their voices.

There’s no better marketing than friends and family recommending products to their peers. According to Kantar Media, 93% of people trust recommendations from friends and family as a source of brand news and information. Not only that, but re-

search by Ogilvy also shows that 74% of consumers identify word-of-mouth as a key influencer in their purchasing decision. Social media has made conversations about products and services much easier, but real WOM marketing happens

both on and off the web.

Arunabh Madhur, Regional VP & Head Business EMEA at SHAREit Group

As consumers are engaging on mobile and digital channels more than ever before, app platforms like SHAREit which is a peer-to-peer content-sharing platform have witnessed its users share huge volumes of content including files, videos and games. The app’s popularity is propelled by referrals that users have given to one another and has led it to become an effective vehicle for growth among brands in terms of onboarding high-value users in emerging markets.

Marketing is all about the people. To enable real and successful marketing, businesses must tie their strategic marketing plans to a roadmap that reaches large groups of people. Through SHAREit’s distinctive influencer model of recommendation, the platform has helped to drive massive high-quality user acquisition and translated it into in-app purchases for e-commerce platforms.

Currently, transactions are usually conducted on social networking platforms. The main driver of social commerce is the core idea of sharing, which would be for both online and offline, as social commerce is highly dependent on community user interactions and word of mouth.

Whether it is product recommendation, sharing of the best pricing, or even deal coupons with friends and family, online interactions are built on offline relationships. It utilizes peer recommendation, also known as word of mouth, to facilitate trust and engagement between merchants and customers.

Studies by marketing expert Jonah Berger have found two driving factors that power word of mouth marketing. These factors are social currency and triggers. Social currency relies on the idea of exclusivity – getting exclusive information from a peer or hearing about a unique game or a hole-in-the-wall restaurant satisfies consumers’ need to belong to an exclusive group. Triggers are a natural social mechanism that reminds us about a brand or product even when we don’t see advertising. In this way, word of mouth can also be a way to improve existing

customer engagement strategies.

Word of mouth marketing will continue accelerating overall growth because it drives a high quality of user installations, recommendations, and LTV, which brands look at in user interactions and user journeys. Because SHAREit is based precisely on the principle that sharing can magnify that very basic social habit for driving brand growth through consumers, brands can still leverage wordof-mouth marketing to build genuine and meaningful customer engagement with wide audiences.

Eventually, customers will become custodians of brand through trust and meaningful connections rather than advanced techniques.

Strange noises in your car?

Follow this step by step guide of what to do

Modern vehicles are highly computerized and completely different from the mechanically controlled automobiles of 30 years ago. Although computerization has made vehicles much more reliable and fuel-efficient, car symptoms like squealing, squeaking, humming, growling, and other noises still occur. Our tips help car and truck owners take the next steps after their vehicle makes odd sounds.

the country, need a professional inspection. A key element of successful auto repair is the ability to educate the customer about why the repair needs to happen and what safety, cost avoidance, and environmental impact it imposes.

on the map, so make sure you select the right one for you.

AutoTechIQ.com has made educational content available to you in an easy-to-digest way and with a minimum of the technical lingo experts often say.

Most of the symptoms known to AutoTechIQ, which collects millions of work orders across

Then, with a list of options on the table, the customer can decide the best outcome for their vehicle and their goals. Just go to AutoTechIQ.com and use the shop selector to find the best-suited shop in your area. AutoTechIQ introduced three certification levels for the shops featured

What are commonly occurring car noises?

We’ll list common problematic noises cars make below. If you’re experiencing any of those, listen to their reference noise in the YouTube link and send it to your trusted auto repair shop for reference.

Can I repair the car myself to eliminate the noise?

• Squealing noise when driving

• Car sounds like a lawn mower

• Car won’t start but not making any noise

• Humming noise while driving

What other symptoms should I look for?

Noise is often the most dominant symptom your car makes but not the only one. For example, a failed serpentine belt pulley can make a very noticeable noise and create a distinct odor of burnt rubber.

Reoccurring problems are especially concerning, and it is important to describe the context of these issues to your trusted auto repair shop professionals. Knowing the characteristics of the problem helps the professional to eliminate up to 90% of the potential root causes and saves you a lot of money for unnecessary diagnostics or repair.

How do I find a professional auto repair shop I can trust?

There has been a significant change in how former mom-and-pop shops focus on repairing vehicles. Now, they focus on helping you determine your vehicle’s best course of action by meeting your goals for longevity and dependability.

What should be my budget when taking my car to an auto repair shop?

Traditionally, most car owners follow the service interval recommendation provided by their trusted auto repair shop or just go to the shop when problems arise and let the shop fix them.

Most of the time, the latter is the most expensive way of taking care of your vehicle if you add up the cost of each visit.

Using a preventive maintenance plan offered by your trusted auto repair shop will open up the opportunity to talk about future expenses or what is called deferred services. You can start budgeting future expenses and still save money since preventive maintenance is significantly more cost-effective than paying the repair cost when problems occur.

Condition-based inspections take the preventive maintenance concept even further. Your auto repair shop conducts a vehicle inspection every time you drop off your vehicle. The results are compared to previous inspection results to determine wear and tear patterns. Based on those patterns, the best course of action is presented to you.

Why is it important to ask for a Digital Auto Checkup?

Many auto repair shops listen to your concern and will provide a solution right away by taking care of the problem you are describing. When you go to any doctor with a symp-

tom, does the doctor immediately go to the concern you are expressing? Typically they don’t do that unless you are in the emergency room.

Instead, vital signs will be recorded first. The same can be true for your vehicle. You first establish baseline health before addressing the particular symptom. The bill of health of a vehicle is called the Digital Auto Checkup or Digital Vehicle Health Inspection.

What is AutoTechIQ’s advantage to me as a car owner?

The majority of car owners dread the appointment at an auto repair shop. The shops in the AutoTechIQ network are selected based on criteria putting your education and professional service as their main focus. Three criteria not used in other business directories are:

The business has received at least 100 Google reviews with an average score of more than 4.5 out of 5.0.

A digital vehicle health inspection is used consistently to examine the health of your vehicle and covers at least 35 topics.

The documentation of mint and problem conditions uses well-documented images and videos to give you complete transparency.

https://www.autotechiq.com/

Mayo Clinic Presents:

A SMOKER’S GUIDE TO QUITTING

If you’re a smoker, you may be at the point where you want to stop, but need a guide for how to get from stop smoking for good.

Here are tips on how to get started on your smoke-free journey from psychiatrist Patrick Bigaouette, M.D. of Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, Minn.

Add up the costs of smoking Smoking takes a toll on your

body, the people around you and your wallet:

Smoking puts you at higher risk for many health conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It also can lower your life expectancy.

People around you — loved ones, friends, co-workers — can be affected by secondhand smoke.

Do the math. A pack of cigarettes costs about $12. One pack a day times 30 is $360/ month. Smoking also costs you time — time away from your work, family and activities while you take a smoke break.

E-cigarettes have similar physical and financial costs, although the health risks aren’t fully understood since they’re relatively new. Plus, these products aren’t approved by the Food and Drug Administra-

Dr. Patrick Bigaouette, M.D. of Mayo Clinic Health.

tion, so there’s no regulation of what’s in them.

Know when you’re ready to quit

Why is it so hard to quit? Nicotine stimulates the reward pathway in the brain, releasing dopamine, which feels good. Over time, you begin to crave the feelings you get from nicotine, and it begins to feel normal. When your body doesn’t have nicotine, it goes into withdrawal.

When you reach the point when the harmful effects outweigh what you gain from smoking and recognize nicotine’s control over your dayto-day life, you’re ready. But the decision has to be yours. It’s a commitment you’re making to yourself. You may have tried to quit before and failed, but you may have made the effort for others, not yourself. Get from ‘here’ of smoking to ‘there’ of not smoking

Becoming smoke-free is a process. Developing a quit plan can help you prepare and follow through with your decision to quit.

Here are some elements of a successful quit plan:

Commit to quitting

Tell your family, friends, loved ones and those who will be part of your support system.

Choose a date

Be realistic and give yourself some time to get your quit plan in place.

Form a support system.

You might want to find someone to quit with you, join a social media or online sup-

port group, or seek counseling to help you cope with triggers, withdrawal and emotional challenges.

Know your triggers.

Maybe it’s driving in the car, doing a particular activity or when you’re stressed. Think about how you’ll manage your triggers or avoid them entirely.

Consider cravings.

Brainstorm how you’ll manage cravings and address withdrawal symptoms. Have healthy snacks on hand, practice mindfulness, go for a walk or text a support person.

Think about helpful aids. These could be nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches, gum, lozenges or an inhaler, or medication assistance with bupropion or varenicline.

Work through discouragement

When people are trying to quit smoking, if they slip up, they tend to think the worst: “I’m a failure. I’ve blown it.”

Those thoughts can drive anxiety, which may cause you to revert to your go-to coping technique: smoking.

But if you have a cigarette or vape, all is not lost:

Be kind to yourself

This is hard. Fewer than 1 in 10 adults successfully quit smoking each year. However, over time, 60% of those who try to quit — usually more than once — are successful. Reset and restart.

Tomorrow really is another day

Review your quit plan.

You may need to adjust it and consider what other tools you need in your toolbox.

Check in with your support system.

“Murder Mystery: The

Emerald House” makes its Dubai debut this December

After great international success, Murder Mystery lands in the UAE, in the heart of Dubai. A prestigious residence located in Al Seef Heritage Hotel, which will go by the name of The Emerald House, will exclusively open its doors to allow crime lovers to live a unique experience for a limited time only starting December 3rd.

The year is 1910. Intrepid explorer Professor Hawthorne ignores the local lore and takes over a myth-enshrouded, abandoned house in search of a rare artifact. One week later, the Professor and his wife are found dead. Now, it’s up to his former students and colleagues to piece together the mystery of Bait Al Zumurrud (The Emerald House).

In this theatrical investigation game, guests can wander through the wonderful rooms of The Emerald House to get to know the characters, but above all, to find out which one of them is hiding the biggest secret. Murder Mystery is all about solving the murder that looms over the residents of the old manor. By conversing with them, finding clues and observing the distinctive rooms together with the other participants, you may be able to get to the bottom of this murder and find peace for the inhabitants of The Emerald House.

This experience is brought to you by Fever, the leading entertainment discovery platform, in collaboration with its sponsor and strategic partner, Dubai Calendar. Created in 2019, Murder Mystery is a popular immersive experience that has now expanded to over 11 cities in 6 countries worldwide. The Dubai edition will be taking place in Al Seef

Heritage Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton, which is located in the Al Seef heritage district on the banks of Dubai Creek.

Having wowed visitors in cities all over the world including Paris, Geneva, London, Mexico City, Brussels, and Madrid, this sensational immersive experience is coming to Dubai in December. Each city where this ‘Fever Original’ passed through has its own authentic scenario and professional actors, adapted to the venue and the local culture.

This original criminal enigma lasts 2 hours and promises to

sweep you into a police investigation that thrills you every step of the way with new revelations and suspicious tales of inhabitants’. Tickets start at AED 210.00 and are exclusively available on Fever’s marketplace, the leading global live-entertainment discovery platform.

Details: Location: a heritage house part of Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton

Dates and times: Sat–Sun, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Tickets: feverup.com/m/119206

The first snowfall comes to the Green Planet this festive season

The Green Planet will experience the first snowfall in the rainforest, turning into a winter haven during the festive season

Guests will be able to enjoy a variety of festive activities including face painting, a themed digital photo spot, gingerbread house making and can sip on warm hot chocolate or virgin mulled drinks

The Green Planet Dubai is going to experience snowfall for the very first time this holiday season! Guests will be able to enjoy the eco-friendly simulated snowfall that will run multiple times a day, while leaving the biome's environment unchanged.

Adding to the holiday cheer, guests can spend their time at the café sipping on warm hot chocolate and virgin mulled wine or gather around with family and friends to build a beautiful gingerbread house. Kids will also enjoy the face painting station and themed photo spots.

With seasonal music, festive lighting, sustainable decorations, the biodome will transform into a snow globe.

Sara Stevens, Head of Operations and Curator at Green Planet said: “In honour of this year’s festive season, we are excited to bring snow to The Green Planet. This one-of-its-kind experience will transport our furry residents and guests to a winter haven, without affecting the biome’s environment. We look forward to bringing family and friends together for this joyful experience”.

Follow the Green Planet social media channels for the latest updates: Instagram: @theGreenPlanetDubai Facebook: @theGreenPlanetDubai

Sheraton Maldives

Unveils Incredible Festive Offers

AND INTRODUCES IT'S FIRST EVER ARTISAN MARKET

Rock out the old and roll in the new with Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa’s latest festive offer. With a 50’s Rock’n’roll theme, the resort promises a timeless experience with a host of fun activities to celebrate the season.

The festive package is based on shared accommodation for two adults and includes:

· Christmas Eve Dinner on December 24, 2022

· Santa Sandbank Trip on December 25, 2022

· New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner on December 31, 2022

· Scheduled and shared return transfers by speed boat

· Daily buffet breakfast at Feast Restaurant

· Daily dinner at designated outlets

· Special welcome amenity of selected fruits and chocolates

Several unique, seasonal excursions will also be available for guests to enjoy, including a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, a festive artisan market, a BBQ island getaway, and a New Year’s Eve Gala dinner. Sheraton Maldives will also host a number of cultural cuisine nights, featuring fresh Asian, Mediterranean, and Latin American dishes. More information on the full schedule of events can be found in the resort’s Festive Brochure.

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa’s first-ever Festive Artisan Market takes place on 22 December 2022 from 1 PM to 5 PM at Kakuni beach. The festive artisan market is a culture and community focused initiative where local artisans and designers will be showcasing their products. Guests will be able to explore the unique products that are made by the local artisans and designers, as well as experience a taste of the Maldivian

culture with live performances and culinary delights. The day will also mark the official kick-off of the festivities with the Tree and Festive Lighting Ceremony at the resort.

Inviting guests to join the festivities, General Manager Mohamed El Aghoury said, “The Artisan Market is a distinctive way for guests visiting the resort to celebrate the festive season and enjoy a day of fun and festivities with their family, friends and loved ones. At Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, we believe in the power of the community and foster connections. We invite you all to join us at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa for the holiday season with this gala celebration of local art and culture.”

The Festive Artisan Market will take place at the resort’s picturesque Kakuni beach with a view of the Indian Ocean. Participants include Oevaali Art Shop, a jewelry, accessories, home & living, premium gifting brand; Mula Maldives for reef-friendly sunscreen; Island Bazaar with a range of apparel, accessories, scarf, sarongs, tote bags; Island Cultures for paintings by Eagan Baadeu; and Toddy showcasing clothing, beach essentials, headgear, jewelry.

The vendors have been selected for their unique offerings for guests of the resort and to showcase the local culture and the local community by giving them a platform to display their work.

To make a booking, visit the festive offer page on the Mariott website and use XY0 for the promotional code input. Valid stay dates run from December 24, 2022, to January 8, 2023, and a minimum stay of four nights is required.

A Spectacular Winter Wonderland returns to The Galleria Al Maryah Island

The Galleria Al Maryah Island is excited to celebrate the festive season with the capital’s most anticipated holiday event of the year, Winter Wonderland! Families and friends are in for a treat with Santa meet and greets, festive activities, a spectacular extravaganza at The Winter Village and The Ripe Festive Market from 09 December to 25 December 2022.

Festive Fun at The Galleria

Mark the official beginning of the festive season with The Galleria’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on 09 December at 6:00pm on Level 3 Central Kitchens.

Visit Santa’s Grotto from 10:00am to 10:00pm daily from 09 December to 24 December on Level 3 Central Kitchens and meet Santa Claus!

At Santa’s Grotto, guests can send video messages to loved ones from around the world, snap shots with elves and the giant festive tree, and of course meet the big man himself and have their pictures taken by one of Santa’s elves. Visit www.thegalleria.ae/winterwonderland2022 for more details and to book your timeslot.

Letters to Santa

Write your festive wish list to Santa and tell him why you have been good this year for a chance to win your wishlist and have Santa gift you the presents. Winners will be announced every week and Santa will meet and gift those selected on 22 and 23 December.

Each letter to Santa’s post box will have one-time-use sealed envelopes for little ones to write and post their list directly to Santa.

Those who prefer completing the letter at home can download a digital version from www.thegalleria.ae/winterwonderland2022 and post it at The Galleria.

Elf on the Shelf

Elf on the shelf is a magic elf who is always up to mischief. He does not move while children are awake but goes exploring at night while little ones are asleep. Follow The Galleria’s social media clues to see where he might be, take a picture with him at The Galleria and tag @TheGalleriaUAE #AtTheGalleria. Ten lucky winners will receive a AED 500 voucher to spend at the mall!

Winter Village and The Ripe Festive Market

Located on the South Plaza, guests can enjoy complimentary access to the Winter Village and The Ripe Festive Market from 09 December to 25 December. A packed schedule of shows and activities will run from 4:00pm to 10:00pm at the Winter Village with festive movies during weekdays and live stage shows during weekends. The Winter Village will also have a Snow Park, Snow Globe, Snow Ice Rink and Activity Huts for families to enjoy.

Running daily throughout the festive season, guests can visit The Ripe Festive Market from 3:00pm to 10:00pm including an array of activities, entertainment, live performances and a petting zoo.

Supporting local businesses, The Ripe Market is a platform for local entrepreneurs to promote their brands, and offer experiences including live cooking stations, arts and crafts, locally made retail products and even a petting zoo.

For more information about The Galleria Al Maryah Island please visit www. thegalleria.ae and follow @TheGalleriaUAE.

Al Ain Zoo explores cooperation with Moscow Zoo

Al Ain Zoo has welcomed a delegation from Moscow Zoo during which the parties discussed mutual cooperation and finding ways to collaborate on projects to protect and preserve wildlife.

The meeting covered various programmes for the conservation, breeding and exchange of rare and endangered species, and the vital protection of genetic assets. It also included a discussion on signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the two Zoos, the specialized aspects related to

educational programmes at the Moscow Zoo Academy, and the possibility of Al Ain Zoo joining the Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EARAZA).

The Russian delegation was led by Svetlana Akulova, the Director-General of Moscow Zoo, and was received by H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director-General of the Zoo and Aquarium Public Institution in Al Ain.

During the meeting, both parties stressed the impor-

tance of mutual cooperation, the role of the two sides and their efforts in protecting wildlife and endangered species, as well as the significance of the sharing of knowledge and expertise in supporting their joint objectives towards nature conservation and the protection of wildlife and biodiversity.

The visit concluded with a tour of Al Ain Zoo and an overview of its diverse experiences, including the Al Ain Safari Tour.

A Jolly Winter Adventure Awaits Shoppers at Yas Mall

The festive spirit is buzzing at the capital’s largest shopping destination as Yas Mall unveils its lineup of exciting activities perfect for the winter holidays. From 8 to 28 December 2022, families can make the most of the yuletide season as a magical winter wonderland awaits visitors at Town Square, alongside fun, creative and interactive activities that promise memorable moments to cherish for both adults and kids alike.

Children of all ages will be transported to Santa’s Workshop at Yas Mall’s Town Square and feel the festive cheer as they become Santa’s elves for the day. The festive activation will include specially-themed winter stations perfect

for stunning Instagram snapshots, and a meet and greet with Yas Mall’s very own Santa Clause.

To spark creativity outside the classroom, kids can bring out their inner maestros by getting involved in bookmark-making and slime-making activities, face painting, gingerbread cookie decoration, and more. A unique Selfie Wrap booth will also be at Santa’s headquarters, where guests can take their photos, making for the perfect gift to surprise loved ones.

The well-loved learning and entertainment playground, KidZania, is taking part in this year’s festivities. With special “do it yourself” (DIY) counters, in-

cluding winter face masks and foam Christmas tree making, as well as Christmas card crafting, the kids can unleash their imagination and create masterpieces to commemorate this holiday season.

In addition to the exciting activities, all-time favourites such as Dunkin Donuts, Baby Fitahi, Lush and Hamley’s will be present at the mall’s Town Square, for any last-minute shopping needs while the kids enjoy Santa’s workshop.

With an array of activities lined up this December, Yas Mall is the perfect place to spend time over the festive season, whether it’s shopping, tucking into some traditional fare, or experiencing a culinary feast, all under one roof.

In a new series The Next Frontier, CNN’s Rahel Solomon explores the future of living and how the cities of tomorrow are being imagined today.

In the first episode, Solomon examines the topic of ‘How We Will Live’. With populations expected to rise, and most people projected to live in urban areas, CNN meets the architects, designers, and dreamers behind the future way of life. From soaring skyscrapers to subterranean designs, and cities floating on water to urban rewilding, a new world of possibility is already being prepared for.

Oceanix is the first ever floating city, currently being built in Busan, South Korea. Bjarke Ingels, the creative director of BIG, the architects behind Oceanix, explains why climate change has accelerated the need to design floating cities, “In many ways the idea of floating cities has crept up on us over the years. Basically, all coastal cities in the world are facing a new reality.”

Ingels talks about the design potential of floating cities, “The cities are anchored onto the seabed, but they’re flexible. So literally, if something about the city does not work, maybe where you place the school and you want to place it in a different location, you could unplug that platform and move it to a different location, which is something that’s impossible to do on land. So, this means that this city is alive and listens to the needs of the community and responds to them.”

Oceanix’s founder Itai Madamombe believes that floating cities are a solution to teach people to live in harmony with the oceans, “We believe that people living on water is inevitable. Not only is it inevitable, it’s imminent. I mean, think about it, the ocean makes up over 71% of the earth’s surface. So, we are really living on planet ocean, and the ocean offers us so much to meet our needs for shelter, for food, for energy, and

for mobility as well.”

Floating cities are just one possibility for the future, another is life among the clouds. Dutch architect Stefan Al says that the next frontier is more sustainable skyscrapers. He tells CNN, “What I think is probably more important than getting taller is getting greener. How can we build more sustainably and how can we be more inclusive with our buildings? In New York for instance, a lot of the tallest buildings are playgrounds for the uber rich, but if you look at the history of skyscrapers, very often they were also seen as examples of social housing, of affordable housing. And I think that’s the legacy of the skyscraper.”

From the clouds, to life underground, subterranean cities are also a possibility for our future lives. In Singapore, a series of tunnels could shape the future of urban planning all over the world. Peter Stones, associate engineer at Arup, leading the Civil Water and Resources team, explains, “The next frontier is how to plan and develop our underground spaces in a way that is sustainable, and takes into account their permanence and longevity, and really delivers on the promise that they provide to enhance liveability in our cities.”

Stones details how different layers of subterranean life are already in action, “Typically, the layers that are shallowest, closest to the surface, are given over to more human centred uses, which is why we see underground pedestrian networks, or underground malls maybe at basement one, and basement two in our cities. And as we go further deeper, typically, we find transport infrastructure such as rail tunnels. So we see an interesting layer cake of the underground space development, where those human centred uses are really prioritised at the shallowest levels, and the deeper levels are reserved for those uses which require less human contact.”

In the future, Stones believes we will see further expansion of underground developments, “Globally as our cities grow in terms of population, in terms of number, in terms of density, that will inevitably push us to use underground space for our transport, and other uses. So, I envisage a future really where the topside is prioritised for people, for ecology, for nature, for plants, and underground space can service that topside through infrastructure and through other uses.”

More space for nature is a recurring theme for urban centres of the future, with green designs already starting to take shape. In Nottingham, England a rewilding project is aiming to bring nature back to the city. Designer Thomas Heatherwick discusses the project, “There’s an opportunity to heal the heart of the city, but also making new green space. And we can use the old structures to bring it alive and not just make any old park but make something really distinctive and unusual and unlike anywhere else in the world.”

Rewilding is beneficial not only for the people who live in a city, but also the planet as a whole, with trees and green spaces absorbing more carbon than they release. Heatherwick hopes that Nottingham will become a blueprint for other cities, “We forget that you can be ambitious, you can be artistic while adapting things rather than destroying them. And you might just not be soulless because you’re borrowing all that history and texture, which is so precious, and everyone values it.”

Keeping pace with the times, while also designing for the future. Whether it’s incorporating nature, floating on water, soaring through the sky, or exploring underground, The Next Frontier explores the ways our cities will evolve in years to come.

See more from The Next Frontier: https://edition.cnn.com/specials/ world/the-next-frontier

CREDIT: CNN

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s Winterfest Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year

Ring in the season and gear up for a holiday celebration like no other with the return of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s Winterfest. Featuring back-toback festive entertainment, family-friendly experiences and exciting new festive character appearances, guests are in for a treat at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s Winterfest running until January 8.

The theme park is set to dazzle all decked out in festive ornaments and cheer, welcoming the season yet again with the ever-spectacular signature festive tree, including captivating overlays, sparkling snow globes, fairy lights and festive wreaths at every corner. Inside the Welcome Plaza, friends and loved ones can collect picture-perfect moments, immerse themselves in The Story of Winterfest, and commemorate their visit to the world’s leading theme park.

At La Piazza stage, guests can watch skilled sculptors in action as they carve unique ice masterpiece inspired by the festive season. Once complet-

ed, guests can enjoy the full collection featuring the breathtaking ice sculptures.

The streets are filled with joy and all things festive as the Park’s roaming entertainment delight guests with a live performance of Italian band on the Italian street and the festive Poi performers lighting up the season with an unrivalled festive show.

What’s more, an exhilarating ice-skating spectacular will take place at the Red Theatre starting from December 1st, reciting the story of an Italian festive tale as skilled skaters, acrobats and aerialists enthrall, thrill and amaze guests with a unique display of art.

Those looking to be mesmerized can head to Enzo’s house on the Italian street to watch a fascinating light and projection artistry, especially during the Tree Lighting Ceremony, offering guests the chance to celebrate the season with state-of-the-art lighting shows, projections, streamers and snow.

For a quick break, families and friends can practice their swings

at the Festive Trees and Tees, a racing mini golf course. Additionally, kids can head over to the Green Zone to enjoy different arts and crafts at Holly Jolly Crafts or to Espresso Rosso to experience interactive activities at the Gingerbread Factory.

Meet and greet opportunities will be available for guests to enjoy with the return of fan-favorite festive characters, including the Snow Globe Lady and Gingerbread Lady. This Winterfest, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will be welcoming a new character, dubbed Befana, known for her generous acts in the Italian folklore as an old woman who used to deliver gifts for children in Italy on the feast of the Epiphany.

Located on Yas Island, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is home to a variety of family-friendly rides and attractions. The park is located minutes away from Yas Waterworld, the world’s first and only Emirati-themed waterpark and Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest indoor theme park as well as CLYMB™ Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s ultimate adventure hub.

Masdar City Central Park in Abu Dhabi has been significantly expanded and reopened to the public. And to celebrate the relaunch of the muchloved, and award-winning, family recreation area, Abu Dhabi’s flagship sustainable community is hosting a month of fun-packed activities during the festive season.

Located in the heart of Masdar City, a short walk from the My City Centre Masdar Shopping Mall, Central Park now covers a staggering 51,000 square meters, enough space for more than seven football pitches.

The newly expanded park has been built in line with Abu Dhabi’s dedicated sustainability guidelines for community areas, known as ‘Estidama’. These stipulate the

use of sustainable materials and other efficiency measures in the building and running of recreational zones.

Following its renovation, Central Park is now Abu Dhabi’s first net-zero energy park, meaning it produces more power than it consumes thanks to its own solar panels, which also double up as pleasant shading.

Other ingenious sustainability features include a tower that collects water vapor from the air to help irrigate the park’s ornamental and edible gardens, a falajstyle water system and other water features for young visitors to enjoy, and sustainability messages throughout the park encouraging children to learn while they play. That is in addition to new playgrounds, food stalls and soon a dedicated gym.

“We’re thrilled to be reopening Masdar City Central Park in time for the festive season and humbled that our newly

expanded recreation area has already won a host of industry awards,” said Ahmed Baghoum, Executive Director of Masdar City.

“Communities are at the heart of sustainable development and what better way to express this than through a beautiful new park that both embraces and educates young families about sustainability. We can’t wait to invite people back to Masdar City Central Park, which is why we’ll be hosting a free family festival every weekend until December 25.”

Month-long festival to celebrate Central Park reopening

Entrance is free to the Festival at Masdar City Central Park, running from 16:00 to 22:00

Free family festival to celebrate reopening of expanded Masdar City Central Park

every Saturday and Sunday, from November 26 to December 25, and for the National Day holiday from December 1 - 4.

Sports, games, magic shows, handicrafts and live entertainment will be on offer, as well as a roving carnival and various UAE-themed activities to celebrate the long weekend for National Day.

Visitors will also be able to take their pick from a variety of food outlets, including Home Bakery, Fusion, Hunger Roaming and 1765, as well as several Emirati food vendors.

The full list of attractions at The Festival includes:

Football fever - All weekends

There will be a dedicated zone for football fans, including an Accuracy Skill Game challenging

budding pros to hit targets placed in goal. They can even play sitting down in a game of ‘sub-soccer’ or try their hand at one of the foosball tables.

Live entertainment - All weekends

Fans of children’s musicals ought not to miss two live shows themed on family fairytales. The first three weekends will host Alice & Friends, while the last two will feature the Snow Queen show. A singer, DJ and a magician are also planned throughout the festival.

Bounce around - All weekends

Children can take on no less than three bouncy challenges every weekend: the Fun for All Maze, the Warrior Jump, and a Frozen-themed slide.

Yoga sessions

Selected Saturdays and Thursdays

Looking to relax mind, body and soul? Join certified instructors from the Abu Dhabi-based Yoga ONE studio for free evening sessions from 16:00 to 18:00 on November 26 and December 1, 3, 10 and 17.

Abu Dhabi’s first net-zero energy park wins a host of sustainability awards

Originally launched in 2020, Abu Dhabi’s first net-zero energy park has collected a host of industry awards since being expanded. These include the MENA Green Building Council’s Sustainable Project of the Year and Construction Innovation awards; Small Project of the Year at the MEED Projects Awards 2022; and Sustainable Project of the Year at the MEP Middle East Awards.

THE CULTURAL IMPACT OF GENUINELY GOOD CULTURE

The global experience of the last two years has brought out the best in us, as well as the worst. The business and economic pressures that leaders, politicians, managers and those in positions of authority have faced during the pandemic period has truly shaken off our masks, and brought out our real selves.

Increasing instances of major abuse of authority, use of abusive language, knee-jerk deci-

sion making – all seem to have caused immense damage, going by voices we hear in social media or in the rapid rise in global counselling sessions. Social media has also made more people voice or express their opinions on various platforms. And, if one were to go by indicators, the noise of negative opinions seems to be on the rise. It seems fairly obvious that societies and organizations are reluctant to address these issues, mostly to

ensure that performing leaders are not touched.

A significant part of this behavior seems to come from the belief that authority flows from power that is given to some of us by virtue of our position, out title, and that this power can be abused without any one questioning, as long as there is sustained performance.

The contrarian view to this is

Niranjan Gidwani, Consultant Director – Texub | Member UAE Superbrands Council | Charter Member Tie Dubai | HBR Advisory Council

that the strength of great leadership comes from the amount of commitment of the followers. How leaders behave determines whether or not the followers will committedly follow. Authority, power and influence in leaders actually comes not through our positions or titles, but through our followers.

Over decades, one subject that has been a topic of discussion is the issue of culture. Culture of a country. Culture of a race. Culture of an organization. Culture of a community.

There are some of us who live with the belief that our attitude hugely matters towards both ‘performance’ and ‘people’.

There are many more who believe that rewards come to those who focus on performance and deliver it on a continuous basis. At all cost. And that is all that matters. Those of us who belong to this category argue that individuals as well as companies that have delivered great results in spite of their known toxicity towards colleagues and employees, have gained monetarily and materially. This is also actually and factually true, and there are enough instances to prove this theory as well.

1.Those who are being ruled or governed need to feel that they have a voice which they can constructively express

2.The rules need to be perceived as predictable and consistent.

3.The rules need to be consistently and fairly applied to all.

Countries, societies, organizations, brands, or individuals who want to be leaders in their respective fields, with a large and genuine fan following, need to ask themselves these three queries:

How does one understand and prepare for what changes are happening

Social, cultural, economic, business and political views and philosophies are constantly and ever changing. What are the internal and external listening posts that we have set up to give ourselves the early warning signals. And, more importantly, how ethically, brutally honest are those listening posts.

What are the reasons that the change is happening

Malcolm Gladwell wrote a book titled ‘David and Goliath’. In this book, Malcolm says that people will obey and follow much, much better when they believe they are being treated legitimately well.

Malcolm has very correctly defined 3 key guidelines:

Understanding the reasons of change is as important as identifying the fact that change is happening. Ultimately, it is the knowledge that brings strong conviction to our response to any change.

Are we a leader, a follower, or a passive observer in this change process

Leading change for the better

gives us the legitimacy to lead. Avoiding change, or refusing to acknowledge that the environment has changed just makes the situation more and more complex.

Leadership is most definitely about performance, numbers and parameters. And yet, in today’s highly connected and socially influenced world, it is most certainly not just about wealth or profits. This, in part, can be seen by the large number of people globally leaving jobs for a relatively better quality of life. The new generation has very different aspirations.

In the final analysis, Leadership is the act of leaving behind a lasting legacy that others will be honoured to take forward. The cultural impact of good, strong leadership is a culture based on the concept that attitude needs to be correct and honest towards “people” and “performance” both. At the country level, classic case study of sustained success with this thought process is the UAE. The country which is home to almost 200 nationalities.

The country which has performed on all “people” and “performance” parameters. This small nation which has created massive cultural impact on the global stage. Huge credit goes to the forward thinking and building up of the right culture by its Rulers. India has all the ingredients and the capabilities to create similar cultural success, state by state.

There is no one hard and fast set of guidelines to success. And success is not guaranteed. Yet, it is only such societies, such governments, such organizations, who are truly focused on “people” and “performance”, who will increase the probability of longerterm survival, flexibility and agility in a rapidly changing world.

So which belief system creates lasting brand value?

Sociocultural barriers affect screening rates and early cancer detection in the region

Sociocultural barriers that shy away people from seeking healthcare attention and the role of media in creating awareness to help early cancer detection and treatment were highlighted today (Monday) at the 5th edition of the Combined Gulf Cancer Conference (CGCC) on Monday, at Al Jawaher Centre for Receptions and Conferences in Sharjah.

The early session on the first day of the conference addressed the roadblocks affecting the region in championing cancer through screening, early detection, treatment and reintegration to society. The power of media in bringing more awareness among the public, particularly the youth, was discussed by health care professionals at a second session. Numerous plenary sessions and an exhibition are also being held as part of the CGCC conference that runs until November 23.

Cancer Awareness and Prevention: A Cornerstone of Cancer Care Continuum

Experts shared their viewpoints on cultural and socioeconomic challenges that act as barriers to cancer awareness and prevention during the first track of discussions at the CGCC conference. In her keynote speech, titled ‘Barriers in Seeking Medical Advice in the Community’, Dr. Aysha Al Dhaheri, Head of Health Promotion Sector (ADPHC) – UAE,

said: Income is often the most common factor globally that acts as a hindrance in seeking preventive healthcare. Stigma and misconceptions also make people wait too long before screening themselves for any kind of diseases which is why health literacy is increasingly becoming a necessity.”

Dr. Anil D’Cruz, Past President of UICC – India, said understanding the relative contribution of modifiable risk factors to cancer burden and their trends over time is crucial to informing cancer control efforts both locally and globally. “Health data constitutes 30 percent of all data stored by humanity. This data is key to cancer control to analyse and understand the size of the problem for national and international organisations and governments. Improving the quality of data using better assessments will help policymakers come up with customised national cancer control programmes that will help monitor and evaluate its effectiveness with time.

Talking about her research targeting cancer stem cells, Dr. Swee T Tan, Gillies McIndoe Research Institute – New Zealand, said: “Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, with huge human and economic costs. It affects one in three people and comprise 31 per cent of all deaths. The current research on cancer stem cells by modulation of

the Renin-angiotensin System looks promising with patients responding positively and their quality of life well preserved.

Evidence-based interventions are a must to remove barriers and increase participation of the public in screening programmes, said Dr. Andre Carvalho, Scientist, Early Detection, Prevention & Infections Branch (IARC) - France. “Screening programmes usually rely on systematic reviews of evidence-based interventions. However, the framework of barriers to effective cancer screening pathways include availability, affordability, acceptability, quality assurance, governance among many others,” he said.

Communication Driving Regional and Global Cancer Awareness

The second session of the CGCC conference discussed the role and impact of traditional and social media in generating more awareness on early screening and cancer prevention.

Dr. Fiona Ness, General Manager of Communications, Engagement & Information Development, National Screening Service – Ireland, shared her insights on the role of media in effective communication to deliver impactful messages and how it helps mobilise to address the

current barriers prevailing in the society.

Dr. Iffat ElBarazi, Professor and Medical Research Specialist - Public Health Institute (UAEU) – UAE, added on how social media and mobile health technology are acting as tools in promoting best practices and creating health awareness through edutainment activities.

Dr. Navid Madani, Senior Scientist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute - USA, shed light on the influence of media in cancer education and prevention.

Importance of doctor-patient communication was highlighted by Dr. Nehad Kazim Albastaki, Senior Consultant Breast Radiologist, Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital, Abu Dhabi - UAE, while talking about specific scenarios in detecting breast cancer in particular.

Clement Chauvet, Head of Strategic Engagement and External Relations (IARC) –France, said mass media campaigns are creating effective engagement opportunities to increase knowledge and awareness about cancer and other diseases.

Meanwhile, Ghazi Alobaid, Cancer Prevention Program and Campaigns, Al-Ahsa Cancer Foundation - KSA, gave an overview on media strategies shaping cancer behaviours in the Gulf region.

On the sidelines of the CGCC conference, perceptions of the youth in the continuum of care in cancer control and management was discussed during a session moderated by Eman Al Shamsi, Al Qassimi Hospital. In addition, an art therapy workshop to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing was hosted by certified art therapist Dr Manal

Elewah, WHO Egypt Representative of GICC.

Themed “The Continuum Care for Better Cancer Control and Management”, the threeday conference is organised by the Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP) in collaboration with the Gulf Federation for Cancer Control and the Gulf Centre for Cancer Control and Prevention (GCCCP).

The conference is aimed at combining and mobilising GCC efforts to develop and improve the quality of healthcare for cancer patients and raise awareness about the best practices followed throughout all the stages in the fight against cancer.

Six unique topics are on schedule during the event for healthcare professionals and policymakers to engage and formulate solutions to curb the disease.

The Khaybar Volcano Camp - Saudi Arabia

offers a one-of-a-kind eco-lodge to experience the epic lava fields of ancient Arabia

Khaybar Volcano Camp, a new luxury eco-lodge concept, will officially open to visitors on December 15, 2022 in the recently opened up region of Khaybar, Saudi Arabia. Built on the landscape of extinct volcanoes, the Khaybar Volcano Camp is situated in one of the most spectacular and untouched places on earth. Now being excavated by the world’s leading archaeologists, the discoveries of the Khaybar Harrat region are helping to form new theories about ancient Arabia and civilisations of the past.

In the heart of one of the largest and rarest lava fields in the Kingdom, Khaybar Volcano Camp’s guests will tread where Arabia’s earliest human settlements left their mark. During a curated journey, guests will explore one of the most expansive and important archaeological projects in the world, full of prehistoric monuments, rare geological landmarks, lush oases, and lava caves that have existed for millions of years. With the opening of the Khaybar Volcano Camp, the region will be accessible to travellers who desire a full immersion in this awe-inspiring part of the world.

Located in Harrat Khaybar, the first-of-its-kind eco-lodge will offer guests a chance to experience the extraordinary by day, and the otherworldly by night in a cinematic landscape. Staying in stunning accommodations and enjoying

meticulously prepared culinary fare, guests will be inspired by cultural activities, mythical storytelling, evening stargazing, wellness programming and superlative excursions like balloon flights, trekking to geological wonders and touring the ancient ruins. The unique Khaybar Volcano Camp gifts travellers with an unparalleled adventure like no other.

The ten luxury tented suites feature exquisitely designed interiors, including modern furnishings and bespoke comforts. Khaybar Volcano Camp also offers guests upscale details such as supremely comfortable beds and luxe amenities. Built harmoniously into the dramatic landscape, the colour scheme compliments the surrounding stark black basalt and white volcanic craters. Each room features private wooden decks where guests can view the surrounding vistas, epic sunrises, and illuminated evening skies.

The camp will offer traditional Saudi Arabian cuisine, along with daring and delectable menus created by legendary restaurant and event group Shale Hill, a highly-respected restaurant and event group helming some of New York’s most distinguished and intriguing food venues. Additionally, the camp’s private

fleet of cars will be available to transport guests to and from their airport and hotel, as well as on their various local excursions.

Rates will start at 1,200 SAR a night for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure where silence, stars and wonder reign supreme.

The opening of the Khaybar Volcano Camp is part of a sneak peek into the oasis regions of Tayma and Khaybar, which together with AlUla form part of a fascinating trilogy of ancient linked cities on the route of the famous Incense Road. The experience in Khaybar includes the opportunity to see intriguing prehistoric burial structures that dot the landscape from a tethered hot air balloons and/ or helicopter. Also a visit to the AlRawan vantage point overlooking the old town and oasis, adventure trails through the Umm Jirsan lava tubes and caves, and the stories from The Skies, an aerial spectacular that brings together drones, narrative and landscape as night falls.

For more information and to book your stay visit: http://bit.ly/3FDKGDf

INSIDE THE BURJ AL ARAB

This Dubai Shopping Festival, ‘Inside Burj Al Arab’ offers the most luxurious view of iconic fireworks Mark the debut of this year’s Dubai Shopping Festival with the ‘Inside Burj Al Arab’ tour and enjoy an unsurpassed view of the inaugural firework display across the Arabian Gulf.

With the opportunity to discover the untold stories of Dubai’s most iconic hotel and the original home of luxury, the Inside Burj Al Arab tour guests on 15th December can conclude their journey beachside at UMA Lounge, offering delectable food and speciality beverages just in time for the fireworks show at 9 p.m.

Witness one of the city’s most mesmerizing fireworks display, lighting up the night sky above the serene waters of the Arabian Gulf, while sipping on a refreshing cocktail or Gold Cappuccino. Secure a coveted spot at this sunset venue by booking a beverage inclusive package:

• Tour and soft beverage package: AED 299

• Tour and signature cocktail: AED 349

• Family package at UMA: AED 750

Guests who purchase the AED 249 tour package may also enjoy the show from the UMA Lounge but are required to purchase food and beverages separately.

From breath-taking views to learning opportunities and countless ‘wow’ moments, Inside Burj Al Arab is not just any tourist experience, it is amongst the must-see attractions in Dubai. The exclusive tour provides a stunning window into the all-suite hotel known for its boundary-pushing architecture, innovative design, and opulent interiors. Kids can look forward to interactive activities, virtual reality displays, and a digital aquarium.

Browse the selection of signature tours and book your tickets online.

https://insideburjalarab.com/en/tour-booking

Top 12 Reasons

Why Budapest is the Ultimate WINTER WONDERLAND

City to Visit this Winter 2022

Hungary’s capital city Budapest, with its centuries old history, baths & spas, stunning architecture and thriving arts, culture, design and culinary scenes, is wonderful to visit any time of the year. However, from November through to the New Year Budapest, located at the heart of Europe, reveals itself as a fairytale winter wonderland ready to captivate all that visit. Fully opened to Middle

East visitors, here are the Top 12 Reasons to make Budapest your destination of choice this winter:

Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market

Winter in Budapest would not be complete without visits to its numerous and famous Christmas Markets located around the city. The Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market is the city’s larg-

est. Bathed in twinkle lights and decorated in Christmas ornaments to the hilt, this year the Christmas market will remain open from the 4th November right through to the 31st December 2022. Taste the traditional Christmas dishes of Hungary on offer including such favourites as stuffed cabbage, fish soup, chimney cake, or buy beautiful

handcrafted gifts for your loved ones from the many vendors, craftsmen and women. There are lots of festive puppet shows held throughout the day and evenings with a Bethlehem scene created for the small ones guaranteeing every visitor is suitably invigorated with the Christmas spirit!

Basilica Christmas Market

One Christmas Market is never enough, and fortunately just next to Vörösmarty Square is another Christmas market to explore, located at the foot of Budapest’s second tallest building, the Basilica. With the Basilica as a backdrop, be prepared to take

Instagramable-perfect snaps. In addition to the food vendors, and merchants offering a lot of festive arts and crafts, an ice-skating rink has also been created adding perfectly to the winter-wonderland scene.

Ice Skating Rinks around Budapest

Ice-skating is a Christmas tradition for Budapest locals with ice rinks located throughout the city. The most famous is the skating rink in front of Vajdahunyad Castle in the City Park, which is best experienced at night. The castle is beautifully lit up, and the

air is fully fragranced with the smell of roasted chestnuts being steaming by the rink. Skates are easily rented at the site, so you can celebrate Christmas like a local!

Pro tip #1: Walk along the beautifully lit Andrássy Avenue, which ends at Heroes’ Square and the skating rink in the City Park. Pro tip #2: If you’d like to try out other skating rinks, there are also festive skating rinks in the main squares in Óbuda and in Újpest.

festive cheer especially in Szentendre or Gödöllő!

Szentendre’s charm captivates all, with its cozy cafés and restaurants. The city hosts a Christmas market, and is home to a Christmas Museum.

Gödöllő is also close to Budapest, and is proudly home to Sissi Castle and the unique Christmas House which are both great attractions to visit with the whole family. https://karacsonyhaz.hu/

Walk around in the major cities around Budapest (Szentendre, Gödöllo)

Festive celebrations are not just limited to the capital, with Budapest’s nearby satellite cities also providing a great opportunity for new discoveries and

Budapest Thermal Baths

After a day of walking the city and Christmas markets it always great to know that relaxation and rejuvenation is never far away in Budapest thanks to its many world-famous spas.

Széchenyi Spa is the larg-

est thermal spa in Budapest and unique for its large outdoor settings. Rudas Spa at the foot of Gellért Hill, has a rooftop hot pool offering stunning panorama views of the city. Also at the foot of Gellért Hill is the Gellért Baths, one of Budapest’s oldest and most famous baths. There are more than 1,500 thermal springs found throughout Hungary, each with its own unique properties and settings to enliven the soul.

Sledding in Normafa

Normafa, located on the Buda side of the city, is a popular hiking spot offering one of the most beautiful snowy winter landscapes. In addition to enjoying a refreshing stroll, you can also go sledging, eat homemade strudel and even go up to the lookout tower on Mount János, where delicious roasted chestnuts tempt visitors. For children there’s a playground, and for couples and those with a sweet tooth, the nearby Szamos Szepkilátás Patisserie makes the perfect

end to any Normafa excursion.

Christmas Trams with Twinkle Lights

Christmas Trams are a Budapest institution and favourite of Budapest residents. Covered in twinkle lights and running throughout the city, they only make their appearance in the lead up to Christmas and make for a great Instagram moment.

beautiful than to walk around Budapest Castle at this time of year. Strolling through the snow-covered cobbled streets, taking in the sights of Buda Castle, Matthias Church, as well as the recently renovated Riding Hall and St Stephen’s Hall, a morning or afternoon out is best capped off with a visit to Hungary’s oldest confectionery house, Ruszwurm Confectionery, for a decadent cake and hot cup of tea or coffee.

Pro tip: Although the Chain Bridge is closed, you can still enjoy a beautiful view of the winter landscape from the cable car from the Chain Bridge to Buda Castle.

Christmas Shopping in Budapest

Christmas is a time for spoiling loved ones (and yourself!), with surprise gifts and presents. Shopping in Budapest is always great, but during Christmas there is even more on offer. At the fairs you can buy expertly handcrafted

Snowy, frosty walk around Buda Castle

There are few things more

goods, bags and products from Hungarian craftsmen and women.

At Vörösmarty Square there is Fashion Street and Váci Street, where high street fashion brands and boutiques shops line up one after the other. For those looking for high-end luxury brands, Andrássy Street is the place to go.

Here the latest collections and selections from brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Burberry can be found. Adding to the excitement and charm Andrássy Avenue is especially beautifully lit during the festive season, so one can enjoy the illuminated surroundings between shop visits.

Christmas in the Opera House

Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker has for decades been an essential part of celebrating Christmas at the Hungarian State Opera House. The fairy-tale ballet continues to enchant and mesmerize audiences year after year.

However, with the Opera House having recently undergone extensive renovations, this year, more than ever is expected to bedazzle and be a spectacular experience not to be missed.

Spectacular Cafés

Budapest’s café houses are world-famous – and rightly so! Whether it be between visits to Christmas markets, shopping sprees, or even city walks, the day can always be broken up with visits to a Budapest café, which truly are an experience unto themselves.

Delicious cakes, light bites, coffees, teas and hot chocolates are all on the menu, served in

the most elaborate and gorgeous settings. If your time is limited, be sure to at least include New York Café, arguably one of the most beautiful restaurants in Budapest.

Dinner Cruise on the River Danube

The best way to experience Budapest’s many architectural wonders is from the River Danube that runs right through it. And the best way to do that is as a dinner cruise aboard a luxury catamaran.

With Budapest’s landmarks all decorated and lit up for the season, and live piano music providing a musical serenade, Budapest is ready to spellbound visitors as they enjoy a sumptuous festive dinner, one to be remembered for many Christmas’ to come.