Initiative Articulates AMAF’s commitment to promoting volunteerism in Dubai

Dubai-UAE: 27 April 2017 – As part of its continued efforts to enhance collaboration with the private sector and promote a culture of volunteerism, Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) organized a special workshop at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Dubai Chamber) for 21 representatives from 18 companies that are a part of ‘Engage Dubai’ – a program managed by Dubai Chamber’s Centre for Responsible Business. 

The workshop was headlined by Syed Atif Ali, Senior Executive-CSR, Dubai Chamber Centre for Responsible Business, Dr Sangeeta Sharma, Senior Executive-CSR, Dubai Chamber Centre for Responsible Business, Abdul Wahab Soufan, Director of salma Humanitarian Relief Program, Michelle Motiwala, Head of Public Engagement Unit at AMAF, Aisha Ahli, Senior Specialist - Special Projects at AMAF’s Office of the Secretary General, and a team from Engage Dubai. 

Participants of the workshop included private sector professionals from various domains, including banking and financial services, trade, facilities management, IT, transport, communications, engineering, food and beverage, aviation, media and investment, among others. 

As part of the day-long workshop, AMAF highlighted its goals, mission, scope of work and initiatives. The participants were also briefed on the concept of endowment and its relation to humanitarian work, as well as the values that AMAF relies on in its charity work when offering educational, healthcare, social and relief aid to the needy regardless of religion, color or nationality.  

The workshop provided an overview of Family Village, one of AMAF’s key projects that was established in 2015 and currently provides shelter, education, psychological and health care to orphans under the supervision of full-time caregivers in a balanced and stable environment. 

His Excellency Tayeb Al-Rais, Secretary General of AMAF, said: “The partnership between private and public sector entities is necessary to achieve community development. We are pleased to participate in this workshop and enhance our communication with our partners in a way that serves the UAE society and improves the private sector’s sense of accountability and social responsibility.” 

He added: “Volunteering is certainly important as it enables the Foundation to develop its services and expand the scope of beneficiaries. When companies and organizations encourage their employees to dedicate some of their time to volunteering, it reflects their commitment to business responsibility and their partnership for the overall well-being of society.”

For his part, Dr Belaid Rettab, Senior Director of the Economic Research and Sustainable Business Development Sector at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, explained the importance of organizing events that promote volunteerism across all segments of the UAE society. 

He said: “Fostering a culture of volunteerism within Dubai’s business community is a major focus area for the Dubai Chamber Centre for Responsible Business and our corporate social responsibility strategy. In 2017, we aim to scale up our efforts in this area to support the UAE’s Year of Giving by encouraging the private sector to play a more active role in giving back to society. Through working with reputed institutions such as Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, businesses stand to make a much greater social impact and improve the lives of children across the emirate.”

The workshop included a presentation on the salma Humanitarian Relief Program. The initiative provides ready-made and high quality halal meals to those impacted by disasters and conflicts worldwide. The session particularly highlighted how Engage Dubai utilized the efforts of volunteers in the campaign that promoted the salma Humanitarian Relief Program during the Holy Month of Ramadan in 2016. 

Engage Dubai was launched in 2008 by the Dubai Chamber’s Centre for Responsible Business in collaboration with Business in the Community, a UK-based business-led charity. Encouraging employees in Dubai to volunteer, the program also serves as a platform for companies looking to launch volunteering initiatives for their employees in collaboration with charities and community organizations that need support.