Top UAE officials attend Year of Giving Retreat

Increasing volunteer numbers in the UAE and legislation to ensure Year of Giving is a success is on the agenda at Dubai retreat.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at the Year of Giving Retreat on Wednesday. Wam

DUBAI // Response to a call for public ideas to further improve the UAE’s standing as a centre of giving was a reason for great pride, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said on Wednesday.

“We received thousands of responses, creative ideas and suggestions, proving once again that our people are wired to make a positive impact on their communities and give,” the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai said after attending the Giving Retreat.

“The eagerness of the responses heartened and assured us that because of our generous people, the future of our country is bright. The people’s ideas will soon be a reality and everyone will play a role in embedding the value of giving even further in Emirati culture.

“Today we launched dozens of initiatives that are sure to introduce a new era of giving and humanitarian work to the country.

“Our objective for the retreat is to produce a sustainable strategic framework for the Year of Giving that we are proud of.”

Sheikh Mohammed called for the Giving Retreat, which was attended by more than 100 leaders in the public and private sectors at Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, after the President, Sheikh Khalifa, declared this the Year of Giving.

Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs and the Future, said the UAE wanted to urge even more people to volunteer.

“We already have 200,000 registered volunteers in 2017 but we want to monitor their activities and their number of hours,” Mr Al Gergawi, also Chairman of the Higher Committee for the Year of Giving, told the retreat. “So we need to issue and implement proper rules and regulations.

“We need programmes with clear goals, that know exactly who they’re targeting. It’s also important the private and public sectors take part.”

Mr Al Gergawi said the future of a country was not just about its economic progress but also its humanitarian efforts.

“Emiratis and residents of the UAE are good people and today for a lot of countries it’s not just about the economy and its strength, but also about the future of the world when it comes to doing good and helping others.”

“Serving the nation is one of the basic [pillars] of the Year of Giving, and a person who helps others is more forgiving. We need to engrave in future generations the importance of it.”

At the retreat Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of the National Media Council, held a discussion on the role of media in the Year of Giving.

And the Minister of State for Happiness, Ohoud Al Roumi held talks on developing a legislative system to accomplish the initiative’s objectives. Various other discussions also took place.

Sheikh Khalifa declared the Year of Giving to focus on three pillars – creating a sense of community responsibility in the private sector, enhancing the spirit of volunteering and encouraging volunteer programmes, and instilling loyalty and commitment in the next generation towards their country.

Suggestions and ideas discussed during the retreat will be taken into consideration when forming the national strategy supporting the objectives of Year of Giving.

Officials said that the strategy would be announced soon after the retreat.