His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid to inaugurate 'NGOs Forum'

The NGOs Forum is an effort to arrive at a better understanding of the role of associations that lead voluntary work in the UAE. It will aim to build strategic partnerships between the government and the private sector, non-profit organizations and the voluntary associations, and discuss obstacles faced by them. It will additionally seek to find ways to develop successful practices for serving the society.

Her Excellency Maryam Al Roumi, the UAE Minister for Social Affairs, said the forum assumes special significance as it will facilitate the implementation of the Ministry of Social Affairs' six strategic goals enshrined in the UAE Federal Strategy announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minster of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The six objectives include spreading awareness about volunteerism, and culture and community work, which are in line with the Ministry's vision for building an integral and robust community that will welcome positive changes while pioneering as a partner in development.

Her Excellency Al Roumi said:

"The NGOs Forum is a landmark initiative that will highlight the pivotal role of various non-governmental organisations in the UAE. By creating this platform, we aim to launch a mechanism for NGOs to work hand-in-hand with the government and the private sector. In addition, we seek to promote and develop the capabilities of non-profit organizations across all areas in accordance with global best practices."

Her Excellency Al Roumi acknowledged du's efforts in taking up the initiative to sponsor the forum.

Osman Sultan, CEO, du, expressed his pride in partnering with the Ministry of Social Affairs.

He said: "We are honoured to sponsor this event that comes in line with our strategy of social responsibility to contribute to spreading awareness on the importance of volunteerism and the role of non-profit organizations in the development of our societies.

"We worked hand in hand with the Ministry of Social Affairs to launch the forum that brings together all the welfare associations (NGOs) and encourages volunteerism in the UAE."

Sultan wished the forum all the success, hoping its recommendations will contribute to the development of the activities of the non-profit organizations in the UAE.

Built around four core areas, the forum will primarily offer an accurate report of community work in the UAE and the GCC region. it will also outline the challenges faced by NGOs, and provide solutions to revitalize its role in the community.

Focusing on the second core area exploring the relationship between NGOs and the private and government sector, participants at the forum will discuss the role of CSR in supporting community work. In addition, the integral role of the three sectors in tending to the underprivileged will be specifically highlighted, while developing a model using du's experience as a benchmark.

The third focus area for the forum will be the importance of developing a portal for NGOs to raise financial resources and create an advanced and unified system of administration to create a community of volunteers in the UAE.

Finally, the role of the media in raising awareness about volunteerism, specifically among the youth, student community and women, will be reviewed.

The evening session on the first day will include a dedicated workshop for professionals, highlighting modern administration methods for the development of financial resources.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and du signed a memorandum of cooperation to create an online portal on the Internet to bring together all non-profit organizations (NGOSs) operating in the UAE, and serve as a rich source of information and an ideal platform enabling each NGOS to showcase its activities. Functioning as a proactive instrument for promoting volunteerism across organizations, the portal will provide easy access to information on UAE-based voluntary organisations.