n cooperation with the International Association for Voluntary Effort IAVE
With the participation of a group of volunteers and pioneers of volunteer work around the world
His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan: “The founding fathers devoted a solid approach in the field of volunteer work, which enabled the UAE to occupy a prominent global position in this vital sector.”
Her Excellency Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid: “Today we are pleased to celebrate our rich achievements and experiences, which are essential and effective parts of the development system implemented by UAE.”
His Excellency Ahmed Talib Al Shamsi: “We welcome the pioneers of volunteer work in Abu Dhabi, which has, over the decades, served as an inspiring model of community giving.”
Abu Dhabi, UAE, October 25, 2022: The Emirates Foundation announced the launch of the 26th World Volunteer Conference, which is hosted by Abu Dhabi, at ADNOC Business Center from 25 to 27 October, in cooperation with International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE), in the presence of a group of volunteers, pioneers of volunteerism and hundreds of participants from government, private, academic and civil society organizations from more than 100 countries around the world.
On the first day of the conference, which is held under the theme “Volunteering for the Common Benefit: Improving the Living Conditions of Individuals and Communities”, participants discussed a number of pivotal issues such as the role of volunteering in bringing about change, and institutional volunteering for the post-pandemic world.
His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council and Managing Director of the Emirates Foundation, said: “The founding fathers devoted a solid approach in the field of volunteer work, which enabled the UAE to assume a prominent global position in this vital sector, and our wise leadership followed this approach to contribute as a supportive leadership And inspiring in the consolidation of volunteer work, which has become a culture rooted in the hearts of the people of the country and residents of the generous land of the Emirates.”
Her Excellency Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development in the United Arab Emirates, said: “Today, we are pleased to celebrate our rich achievements and experiences, which are an essential and effective part of the development system experienced by the country in various fields, based on our belief in the importance of volunteering and investing in the energies of volunteers.”
His Excellency Ahmed Talib Al Shamsi, CEO of the Emirates Foundation, said: “We welcome the pioneers of volunteer work in Abu Dhabi, on the good land of the Emirates, which has served over decades as an inspiring model of community giving. The UAE’s hosting of this event is an affirmation of its leadership position in volunteer work. In continuation of its efforts to develop this sector and create an enabling environment for volunteers to attract and motivate them to participate in advancing development.”
Nicole Cirillo, Executive Director of the International Association for Voluntary Effort IAVE, said: “It is a source of pride for us to cooperate with the Emirates Foundation in organizing this global event, which today is taking a new and important path through its hosting by the UAE. We thank the UAE represented by the Foundation the UAE organized the conference according to the highest international standards, and we are confident that its results will be reflected on voluntary thought in the world.”
On the second day of the conference, the participants will continue discussing a set of important themes while sharing their experiences and studies in a number of training seminars to shed light on the main practices to confront many issues related to the volunteering sector around the world. In addition, a volunteering activity was organized by Dubai Cares, Emirates Foundation, and the International Association for Volunteer Effort, in cooperation with UPS. This activity included packing 2,800 kits that will be distributed to charity schools across the UAE, attended by students from humble backgrounds.
This conference is the result of a fruitful cooperation between the Emirates Foundation and the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) and the result of joint efforts with our strategic partner ADNOC and our destination partner Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, as well as the sponsorship of TotalEnergies, Occidental Petroleum (OXY), UPS, Borealis, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Mubadala Investment Company, Department of Community Development, Iberdrola & Good deeds day and SAP.
It is worth noting that the “Global Volunteering Conference” is being hosted by Abu Dhabi for the first time in the Middle East, after it outperformed 3 international cities; It is considered one of the most important international events dealing with the issues of volunteerism and its continuous role in the development process of society and countries alike.
About Emirates Foundation:
Emirates Foundation was established on April 12, 2005, as an initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and its Board of Directors is chaired by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The Emirates Foundation is a national institution that works in partnership with the public and private sectors to consolidate social responsibility through the implementation of research-based programs that meet the country’s needs towards sustainable community development.
The Foundation works to identify and understand the challenges facing the UAE society and to find appropriate opportunities to develop national competencies and activate their role in society through smart program platforms. It also works to spread creative awareness through marketing and communications and to develop an effective entrepreneurship model characterized by high values and quality performance.
About the International Association for Voluntary Effort:
For more than half a century, the International Association for Voluntary Effort (IAVE) has been a world leader in advocating for volunteerism to address the most pressing issues of our time. From fighting climate change to lifting people out of poverty and fighting inequality, volunteers have been able to play a pivotal role in the development of societies and cultures in every corner of the world. The International Association for Voluntary Effort, with members from more than 70 countries worldwide, is the largest global network of volunteer leaders. The network includes individuals, government agencies, multinational corporations, academic institutions, civil society organizations and businesses. The Association’s mission is to create a more just and sustainable world by empowering leaders, organizations and volunteer environments.
Volunteer leaders around the world turn to the Association in search of experiences and the possibility of cooperation and communication, and to learn about best practices in the field of volunteering to help build a civil society based on justice and equality, locally and globally. Launching pioneering programs for research and knowledge dissemination, hosting international meetings of volunteer leaders, and advocating for volunteering as an influential force in bringing about positive change globally is the best way to build a bright and sustainable future. We value and prioritize an integrated and diverse network of volunteers with whom we work with respect and appreciation for all their efforts to help others around the world.
