Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry issued the following announcement on May 3.
The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Centre for Responsible Business recently hosted Give and Gain Week 2018, the largest volunteering event it has organised since the launch of the annual initiative in 2011.
The week-long event, held April 15th-19th, was organised for the eighth consecutive year as part of the Engage Dubai programme, and attracted the participation of more than 1,800 volunteers who dedicated 5,600 hours which benefitted over 4,800 individuals.
A total of 37 companies and 23 Community Partners participated in this year’s Give and Gain activities and supported 84 projects, which focused on a variety of social and charitable causes related to education, health, and people of determination and the environment.
Throughout the week, volunteers planted Ghaf trees, cleaned beaches, and helped students build a robot from recycled materials. Other organised activities included a bowling experience for special needs children, educational sessions for 250 blue collar workers on the importance of healthy eating habits and hydration, a toy collection drive for cancer patients and donated stationery for refugee children.
In addition, Dubai Chamber employees participated in a project organised by Enable, a social enterprise programme under Desert Group. As part of this project, people of determination taught Chamber employees how to arrange desert plants in pots.
By participating in the Enable project, the Chamber aimed to encourage its employees to play an active role in contributing towards community initiatives, expand their skill sets and support people of determination.
For his part, Dr. Belaid Rettab, Senior Director of the Economic Research & Sustainable Business Development Sector at Dubai Chamber, said: “Our annual Give and Gain initiative greatly supports Dubai Chamber’s CSR strategy by providing a platform for companies to give back to the community, while it also fosters a culture of volunteerism within the private sector.”
Dr. Rettab explained that many of the activities which were organised this year were inspired by the values and legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Founding Father. He added that volunteering provides employees with plenty of benefits such as the opportunity to develop skills, build new relationships with different communities and make a positive social impact.
Launched in 2008 by Dubai Chamber’s Centre for Responsible Business, ENGAGE Dubai is an international programme which brings together businesses and community organisations in Dubai to increase the quality and amount of employee community engagement in their local communities.
Original source: http://www.dubaichamber.com/whats-happening/chamber_news/dubai-chamber-hosts-uaes-largest-give-gain-corporate-volunteering-event
Alerts Sign-up