Dubai: Are you a new parent? Still figuring out how to correctly place a diaper on your baby, or the best way to gently discipline your toddler?There are a number of parenting skills training courses you shouldn’t miss, if you’re based in Abu Dhabi.Here’s all you need to know about this government-led initiative.What is the initiative about?The Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development (DCD), which is the regulatory body of the social sector in the capital, introduced a series of life skills training programmes between 2023 and 2025 that aim to enhance personal and community development.Among the 19 programmes launched, which range from financial literacy to mental health workshops, three focus solely on parenting skills. The courses are completely free to register, and are open to both Emiratis and expatriate residents.The programmes are part of Abu Dhabi’s Family Wellbeing Strategy, which focuses on strengthening families as the foundation of a connected and productive society. The initiative also aligns with the UAE’s National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, which aims to promote an advanced country with vibrant cities and communities, a sustainable lifestyle that preserves national resources, and a cohesive society.Which programmes are related to parenting?Organised by the city’s Family Development Foundation (FDF), there are three training courses you can register for, to pick up key parenting skills in the early years of your child’s development. According to FDF, the programmes empower parents to support their child’s growth through problem-solving, emotional development, and positive discipline strategies.Here are the programmes, along with their unique eligibility requirements:Parenting skills for early childhood stage: The participant should be one of the parents, family members, or caregivers for children within the age range of newborn to eight years, or caregivers in nurseries, or primary school teachers, or social workers.Parenting skills for adolescence stage: The participant should be a parent or caregiver for children within the age group of 9 to 18 years, or primary/secondary school teachers, or social workers.Strengthening the role of men in positive parenting: The participant should be a father or a male caregiver of the family member, or a secondary school teacher, or a social worker. Documents requiredAll you require to attend the training course, is your Emirates ID. The course is free of cost.How to applyIn order to register for any of these training courses, visit TAMM, Abu Dhabi’s official integrated services portal, at tamm.abudhabi. Follow these steps:Log in using your UAE PASS.Select ‘Social Care’ and then click on ‘Social Support’. Click on any of the above three parenting skills training courses.Fill out the registration form, and include details such as your full name, mobile number and address, as well as whether you prefer an in-person or virtual setting. Select ‘Submit’.Once your eligibility has been confirmed, you will receive an approval notification via SMS, as well as further details on the timing, duration, and location (if in-person) of the training course.

Dubai: What if you spotted a fallen tree on a road in Dubai, or a malfunctioning traffic signal? Do you know how to report the issue to the authorities?Madinati makes it simple.What is Madinati?Originally launched by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in 2007, Madinati (which means ‘My city’ in Arabic) is a service that aims to preserve Dubai’s urban aesthetic, strengthen community partnership, and maintain its infrastructure, as part of the emirate’s Smart and Sustainable City strategy. It also supports Dubai Civility Committee’s objectives, whereby the community and authorities work together to establish the emirate as a vibrant and advanced city.The service allows residents and visitors to directly submit feedback to government authorities, on the quality of public facilities, infrastructure, roads, and public spaces across the emirate.What issues can I report through Madinati?Madinati serves as the best tool to report your concerns directly to the authorities. Issues covered by Madinati include road, traffic, safety, cleanliness, and infrastructure-related matters. Here are some specific areas of concern that you can report through Madinati, according to the Dubai Civility Committee:Damaged pavementsBroken traffic signalsIncorrect or damaged directional signageEnvironmental hazards like fallen trees, or floodingCleanliness concerns such as overturned dumpstersFacility- and safety-related issues, such as electrical risks and water leaks How can I access Madinati?In February 2026, the RTA and Digital Dubai enhanced Madinati with artificial intelligence (AI) powered features, and partnered with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Dubai Municipality, to increase its library of services.You can access Madinati in three ways. Follow the steps below to share your concerns via Madinati.Option 1: DubaiNow appMadinati has been integrated into the DubaiNow app, making it easier than ever before to report hyperlocal issues. Follow these steps to use Madinati on the DubaiNow app:Download the DubaiNow app, available on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Sign in with your UAE PASS.On the home screen, navigate to ‘Services’ and select ‘Environment’. Then tap ‘Report Urban Issues (Madinati)’.The app will prompt you to open your Camera app and capture a photograph of the issue, for instance, a fallen tree. Upload the picture via the app.The AI-powered Madinati service will analyse the image and pinpoint the issue and location. It will automatically generate a case description, classify it and assign it to the relevant authority for resolution.Review the information, and make changes if required. Then select ‘Submit’.The concerned authorities will follow up on your report. The processing time is between one to five working days.Option 2: RTA’s Mahboub virtual assistant on WhatsApp In September 2025, RTA announced that Madinati is available as a smart reporting service via its Mahboub chatbot on WhatsApp. Here’s how you can report issues through this smart service:Open your WhatsApp. Save RTA’s WhatsApp number – +97158 800 9090 – as a contact, ideally as ‘Mahboub’, since that is the name of the service’s virtual chatbot.Start a chat with Mahboub. Share a description of the issue and send any relevant pictures in the chat. Mahboub will ask if you want to report an issue. Type ‘Yes’.You will be prompted for the location of the issue. Send a location pin, or type out the address, where it occurred.Once Mahboub confirms it has all the details, you will receive a ticket or reference number. RTA will respond to you within five days. You can also use the reference number to follow-up on the issue with Mahboub.   Option 3: RTA Dubai app If you periodically use the RTA Dubai app, you already have access to Madinati. Here are the steps you can follow to use the service:Download the RTA Dubai app via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Log in using your UAE PASS.Navigate to ‘Report an Issue’ and select ‘Madinati’.Fill in the report by mentioning your personal details, the description of the issue, as well as the exact location where it occurred.Click photographs and upload them via the app.Select ‘Submit report’. RTA will respond to your report within five working days.