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Watch: Sheikh Mohammed hears Year of Giving ideas at retreat

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Watch: Sheikh Mohammed hears Year of Giving ideas at retreat
Photo via Twitter/ @YearofGiving

Dubai - The retreat is attended by over 100 experts, stakeholders and officials.

by

Sherouk Zakaria
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Published: Wed 1 Feb 2017, 9:09 AM

Last updated: Thu 2 Feb 2017, 3:12 PM

Ministers and officials gathered this morning to come up with a national strategy that supports the objectives of the Year of Giving.
Speaking to the crowd in Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, said the government will be looking to introduce laws and regulatory frameworks to monitor volunteering activities and encourage philanthropists.
"The future of nations today doesn't only depend on economic growth, but also humanitarian growth," said Al Gergawi.
He added that with 200,000 registered volunteers in 2017, the country needs to introduce regulatory framework to monitor their activities and measure the number of volunteering hours.
"We know that there are many doctors who volunteer in hospitals for example, but how many volunteers do we have? and which hospitals? we need to keep record of such information," said Al Gergawi.
He added that with many millionaires and businessmen in the country who contribute to the country's development with their charity work, different programs and frameworks need to be present to help them.

Officials will discuss challenges ahead for the Year of Giving, come up with suggestions with officials then get into a retreat to discuss the ideas, then share them with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai .
Sheikh Mohammed had called for organising the Giving Retreat last Saturday, and invited members of the community to share their ideas and suggestions for the Year of Giving through #YearofGiving on Twitter.
Al Gergawi also highlighted the role of media to highlight successful charity stories to set examples for the rest of society and give motivation to philanthropists.
He added that endowment is another sector that will be discussed as it should involve all parts of UAE society with its various nationalities and religions. 
"There are many charity foundations established by our leaders in different emirates," Al Gergawi said. "The UAE has set a great example in giving balance between economic and humanitarian development."
Since its foundation in 1971, the young country has extended philanthropic aid, in the form of humanitarian relief projects or through cooperation with international and UN organizations, to 178 countries worldwide, with the total aid given reaching approximately Dh173 billion by 2014.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the majority of aid given focused on "government and civil society" sectors in developing countries, as they received approximately Dh80.6 billion, followed by "general support", with a given value estimated at Dh22.5 billion, and approximately Dh7.7 billion dedicated to "emergency humanitarian aid".
The retreat is attended by over 100 experts, stakeholders and officials brought together to brainstorm and generate strategies and ideas to boost philanthropy in the UAE during the Year of Giving 2017. The agenda of the Giving Retreat is based on six key pillars. A minister will take charge of the pillar related to his/her field and will oversee the strategy and initiatives, liaise with national authorities on large-scale implementation, follow up on achievements and present regular reports to the Higher National Committee for the Year of Giving.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com
Here are the highlights from the event: 
12:40 pm
UAE ministers brief a crowd of officials and humanitarian experts on the goals that will be implemented throughout the Year Of Giving.
 
12:30 pm
Sheikh Mohammed was just briefed on the ideas generated at the Giving Retreat.
 
12:15 pm
Sheikh Mohammed arrives at the Giving Retreat to take a look at the ideas generated by the ministers and officials.
Video by Sherouk Zakaria
12:05 pm
 
12:00 pm
 
11:15 pm
11:00 pm
10:30 pm

UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
UAE ministers and officials gather at Year of Giving retreat. Photos by Dhes Handumon / Khaleej Times
Sherouk Zakaria

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