Social impact initiative and giving are deeply embedded in the GCC’s culture
4 MENA’s social impact space has received a boost with 2017 being declared ‘The Year of Giving’. Social impact initiative and giving are deeply embedded in the GCC’s culture and is evident in all aspects of society; from individual philanthropy, charities, NGO’s as well as corporate social responsibility programs. Time, money, educational programs and shelter are a few examples of quantifiable giving across the GCC, promoting a spirit of tolerance and acceptance across cultures, ethnicities and religious beliefs. The UAE government has lead the way with over AED173 billion donated towards different causes between 1971 and 2014*.
It is on this backdrop that the region’s leading voices in social impact initiatives and social investments will gather at Ta’atheer – the 14th Annual CSR and Social Impact Forum. With the theme ‘Giving with Purpose’, Ta’atheer will focus on how organisations can ensure their programs and initiatives are modelled for long term sustainability and maximum impact as they participate in the annual initiative with a long-term view to continue with their social impact programs for years to come.
Speaking ahead of his participation at the event, Wayne Dunn, President and Founder, CSR Institute stated that many organisations need to streamline CSR and social impact activities to achieve great value and impact. He went on to say “strategic CSR looks at aligning philanthropy and charity with business activities, operations and daily activities to integrate social and environmental value.” This then ensures that CSR and social impact initiatives are then ‘approached in a holistic way that aligns and optimizes social value, business value and environmental stewardship that creates greater value for all the stakeholders involved.”
Now in its 14th year, Ta’atheer focuses on developing the social impact sector through sharing dialogue and best practice on how organisation can measure and increase the impact of their social projects, while acknowledging outstanding organisations and teams in the sector through the Ta’atheer Awards. Leading voices in the international and regional social impact sector will participate at the forum including but not limited to Facebook, Thomson Reuters Foundation, IBM, Noor Dubai Foundation, MBC Group, International Labour Organisation, Emirates NBD, Qatar Solar Technologies, Dubai Autism Centre, Nhadi, Friends, of Cancer Patients, MMV, Global Sustain, Food Banking Regional Network and Emirates Autism Centre.
Informa’s Ta’atheer is an annual event which covers the most pertinent issues affecting the sector providing a platform for Ministries, regulators, investors, CSR leaders, charities and NGOs as well as solution providers, to share ideas and strategies on developing the social impact sector into a core component of national development.
The event is held under the patronage of Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sulta Al Qasimi, Board Member, Friends of Cancer Patients, and supported by Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) as silver sponsors, Mundipharma as Bronze Sponsors, and Friends of Cancer Patients as the Official Charity