The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has officially initiated the fourth cohort of its Lead & Design Programme, bringing together 40 public sector leaders and decision-makers from various government departments in Dubai. Designed to cultivate advanced creative leadership, the initiative focuses on instructing participants in human-centered design thinking methodologies. Through this approach, the programme aims to help leaders navigate intricate public challenges and convert them into sustainable, positive outcomes for society.
Over the course of an eight-week educational agenda, the participants will engage in specialized workshops, lectures, and practical field exercises both domestically and internationally. The 2026 iteration of the programme starts with foundational sessions in Dubai before transitioning to Copenhagen, Denmark. In Copenhagen, the cohort will investigate global practices in design and public sector innovation. Upon returning to Dubai, the participants will collaborate with local and international experts to apply their insights directly to real-world scenarios, crafting actionable and functional policy solutions.
Abdulaziz AlJaziri, Deputy CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, emphasized that the programme continues to elevate public talent by delivering critical design-thinking capabilities. He noted that these methodologies improve the capacity of government officials to comprehend community requirements, utilize systemic thinking, and formulate forward-thinking public services and strategies, thereby boosting the government's overall preparedness for the future.
The curriculum is structured to help leaders employ non-traditional strategies in administration and drive transformative growth. This fourth cycle builds on the success of the previous cohort, which trained 41 participants in creative problem-solving and systematic leadership methodologies to enhance quality of life. Additional details regarding the initiative are accessible via the programme's official portal.
