Approximately 400 “Unleash” journals were distributed in the UAE during the month of May, officially launching the Unleash Movement, which is sponsored by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture). “Unleash”, a unique nation-wide creative initiative, is founded by five Zayed University students, Alia Rashid Al Shamsi, Alia Lootah, Khulood Al Atiyat, Noora Bin Kalban and Salama Khansaheb. Created as a graduation project, “Unleash” aims to foster and enhance the appreciation for creativity within the UAE society through the creation and distribution of 1,000 blank journals across all Emirates of the UAE. In these journals, participants are invited to artistically express themselves through any means they prefer. Each journal lists a set of guidelines and instructions to help contributors understand the essence of the “Unleash” movement, explaining how the journals can be used, what it represents and how each individual can contribute to this unique cultural initiative. The participants are asked to use one page of the journal to express themselves through any means they choose and then, pass the journal along to the next person. Upon the completion of any of these journals, the participants are instructed to return them to the founders through the steps mentioned on their website, www.unleashonline.com. Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, governor of the DIFC, managing director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) welcomed the initiative. “The Unleash Movement by the five young Zayed University students is exactly the creative process that we at Dubai Culture aim to encourage and support.There is abundant talent among our youth and this creative and unique endeavor confirms that position. “Our Chairman, H.H. Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum encourages initiatives such as this one that the female students have ‘unleashed' country-wide. It will be of historic value as in years to come, social scientists will have a well-documented source of thoughts, expressions, visions, creativity and talent proving the high level of artistic creativity and cultural diversity that our nation today possesses and which we at Dubai Culture, aim to encourage, nurture and support,” Sulaiman added. The Founder explained that once the journals are all collected in, participations that stand out would then be selected and compiled in a book that will be published and presented to the public. The journals, which are currently being distributed all over the UAE, are given to students in high schools and universities. They are also placed in art galleries, art centers, and will randomly be passed along among the residents of the UAE. Those who are interested in taking part in this initiative can request that they receive the journal by sending an email through the Unleash website, the Founder said. They explained that the goal of this initiative is to motivate everyone in the community to take part in a project that would hopefully succeed in documenting the creative reflections of the people of the UAE in an innovative way. Through participating, both nationals and expatriates can express themselves in the pages of the journals, recording their thoughts and feelings to illustrate the true essence of the UAE community. “This project exemplifies Zayed University education,” said Marilyn Roberts, dean of the College of Communication and Media Sciences at Zayed University. “It is about leadership, creativity and engagement with the community. We are proud of these five young students.” __
