Sheikh Mohammed launches 10 new humanitarian initiatives

The Dubai Ruler has reminded all stakeholders concerned that there are just three months left in the Year of Giving. "This final stretch is the most important. Our goal is to expand further on our humanitarian policies, ensuring that we multiply our efforts to deliver even more goodness to all parts of the world," His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said. He was speaking as he chaired a meeting of the Year of Giving Higher Committee to follow up on the progress of giving initiatives launched in Dubai. He also approved 10 new initiatives and work policies to cement the UAE's role as a philanthropic leader in the region through a sustainable framework that integrates both private and public sector institutions. Referring to the declaration of 2018 as the Year of Zayed, Sheikh Mohammed said: "The Year of Giving precedes the Year of Zayed because the value of giving is mirrored in Sheikh Zayed's spirit. The Year of Zayed will be a continuation of giving." He said the Year of Giving has "revealed and nurtured the philanthropic Emirati spirit". "We have introduced the largest number of policies, legislations and sustainable initiatives for giving in the UAE." He revealed that the concept of giving will be sustained with five new legislations and two national long-term plans. The 10 sustainable initiatives he approved on Wednesday relate to volunteerism, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and enhancing the role of humanitarian organisations and the development sector. The Dubai Ruler lauded the dozens of successful initiatives implemented in 2017. Over Dh1.6 billion was collected through CSR initiatives and private and public sector donations, and more than 2.8 million volunteer hours were registered. About 141 institutions offered 716 volunteer opportunities in various fields, along with almost 275,000 volunteers, who registered nationwide through the National Volunteer Platform.

The 10 initiatives

CSR smart platform: The comprehensive electronic platform that provides public companies with the private sector opportunities to participate in development and community projects Specialised volunteering programme: Provides various incentives for skill-based volunteers Involving government employees in volunteering programme: It includes setting up a new federal mechanism to encourage federal and local government employees to volunteer Opportunities in government programme: In this scheme, a list of volunteer opportunities will be shared for all segments of society Smart platform for developmental and charity work: This is an online platform with all pertinent information on humanitarian, charitable and developmental institutions in the country, with the goal of achieving integration between them Giving card: This is an initiative launched in cooperation with charities and banks, inspiring people to donate towards charitable causes Twinning between international and local development institutions: This is a knowledge-sharing initiative between the world's leading humanitarian organisations Professional diploma for humanitarian and development work: Will develop altruistic national cadres and provide them with the best expertise and skills in the humanitarian field National giving survey: Aims to evaluate and study the attitudes and actions toward philanthropy in the UAE Five legislations: Will guarantee the institutionalisation of giving and humanitarian work in the country, covering CSR, volunteerism, community service and the establishment of a Coordinating Council for Charitable and Humanitarian Institutions.