Deloitte returns as exclusive Knowledge Partner for the second edition of Social Care Forum, shaping the evolution of social services
- Deloitte leaders join headline sessions, to share their knowledge and expertise about social care globally and in the region
- Deloitte’s involvement in the Forum reflects its deep and ongoing work across the GCC in supporting the evolution of social services
Abu Dhabi, UAE – September 23rd, 2025: Deloitte Middle East will serve as the exclusive Knowledge Partner for Abu Dhabi’s Social Care Forum, marking its second consecutive year in this role and highlighting its integral contribution to shaping the Forum’s program, agenda, and direction.
The Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi will host the event’s second edition on September 24 and 25, welcoming policymakers, providers, academics, and social care professionals from across the GCC and around the world.
The Forum will explore the theme “Future-ready Social Care: People, Practice, Policy”, focusing on empowering caregivers, strengthening systems across all life stages, reimagining policy and innovation for the years ahead, and showcasing how AI can help the delivery of better services. As Knowledge Partner, Deloitte will play a key role in shaping the sessions, curating the conversations, and ensuring that regional priorities sit alongside global best practices.
Mubarak Alamri, Licensing & Social Control Sector Executive Director at DCD, commented: “The Forum shows what happens when global know-how is leveraged to serve the unique needs and aspirations of our region. In collaboration with Deloitte, we built an agenda that went straight to the heart of the big issues in social care, mixing important policy talks with real examples that people could use right away. Our partnership with Deloitte has brought together global and regional perspectives to tackle today’s social care challenges and spark ideas that could turn into real solutions.”
Deloitte leaders will take part in several headline sessions. Dr. Josh Hjartarson, Global Leader for Human and Social Services at Deloitte and National Leader for Human Services at Deloitte Canada, will moderate an expert interview with Dr. Sarah Carlick, Director of MeSafe, on safeguarding digital pathways. He will also lead an interactive session dedicated to youth development and wellbeing. Dr. Vineta Bhalla, Partner, Operations, Industry & Domain Solutions at Deloitte Middle East, will moderate a panel on global developments in social care policies and lead an interactive session on strengthening family support systems.
Shargil Ahmad, Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at Deloitte Middle East, said: “The Social Care Forum is a unique platform where global and regional perspectives converge to address the realities faced by families, providers, and policymakers. Our role as Knowledge Partner reflects our commitment to bringing fresh evidence, frameworks, and lived experiences together in a way that builds stronger social care systems for the future. Our role as exclusive knowledge partner demonstrates Deloitte’s deep commitment as a firm to the Abu Dhabi Government and the community.”
Dr. Josh Hjartarson, Global Leader for Human and Social Services at Deloitte, added: “Social care worldwide is at a turning point, facing rising demand and shifting expectations. The Forum provides an invaluable platform for governments and practitioners to learn from one another. We are proud to contribute, alongside DCD, to these critical conversations on how we prepare professionals, support families, and innovate policy for generations to come.”
Deloitte’s involvement in the Forum reflects its deep and ongoing work across the GCC in supporting the growth of social services. The firm has partnered with major government entities on initiatives such as designing workforce development strategies for social services, creating frameworks for assisted living services for People of Determination, advising on national programs for family and child welfare, developing comprehensive strategies for elderly care and longevity, and building digital ecosystems that support integrated policymaking. This breadth of work demonstrates how technical expertise and regional insight come together to strengthen the foundations of social care.
With two days of panels, interactive sessions, training programs, and research presentations, the Social Care Forum will provide a unique opportunity for all participants to exchange knowledge, debate pressing issues, and collectively chart a future for social care that reflects the values, needs, and ambitions of the GCC.
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