FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

The One Million Arab Coders initiative provided software development training to one million people across the Arab world

At DAMAC, social responsibility has remained at the heart of the group’s efforts, with a series of initiatives launched for the betterment of society

It is a well-known fact that an active social responsibility programme can have a positive impact on economies, communities, companies, employees and consumers. However, the pandemic and the economic challenges it brought about put the initiatives of numerous companies to the test.

At DAMAC, however, social responsibility has remained at the heart of the group’s efforts, with the pandemic only enhancing its commitment to the communities in which it operates. It has been a key aspect of the firm’s culture since it was first established and was born out of a desire to give back to the community that has given the organisation so much.

DAMAC has been involved in education, youth empowerment and various other charitable initiatives. To this end, the Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation was established to help turn DAMAC’s commitment into a reality.

Hussain Sajwani, Founder and Chairman of DAMAC Properties, said: “With our foundation, we hope to give our passion for service an active, operational platform and ensure that our social responsibility initiatives have multiplier effects that will have both an immediate and long-term impact on the development of the communities in which we operate. While our focus is on education and enhancing youth skills that will enable them to become productive members of society, we also engage in charitable initiatives that provide a wide range of assistance that benefit the underserved and marginalised sectors of society.”

Aligning with the team’s vision, a host of initiatives were recently introduced, with the company also contributing funds to ongoing projects launched by the Dubai government for the betterment of society.

The winners of One Million Arab Coders initiative pose with the management

Hussain Sajwani at the closing ceremony of the One Million Arab Coders initiative

NURTURING YOUNG MINDS

Following a recent tour of Dubai Schools, the social responsibility arm of DAMAC reinforced its commitment to shaping the future of the nation through education. A key pillar of the UAE’s remarkable transformation into a global economic powerhouse, providing quality education has always been an important aspect of the national agenda. That is why, the Dubai Schools initiative was launched to provide a state-ofthe-art educational experience for a new generation of students to keep pace with the growing requirements of the future job market.

DAMAC believes that today’s children and youth have an exciting and empowering future ahead of them in our rapidly evolving digital world. And the changes being made by the UAE Ministry of Education are ensuring that students are well prepared to tackle these challenges. Supporting the ministry’s efforts, DAMAC and the Knowledge Fund Establishment signed an AED20 million sponsorship agreement to support the Dubai Schools project. Under this sponsorship programme, Emirati students will be eligible for scholarships for a five-year term.

Sajwani said: “We are pleased to be part of the Dubai Schools project to provide Emirati students with the skills and knowledge necessary to keep pace with our prosperous economic path and empower them with the knowledge to enrich their scientific lives and participate in opening new horizons and global opportunities for students.”

Under the Dubai Schools project, Emirati students will be eligible for scholarships for a five-year term DAMAC and the Knowledge Fund Establishment signed a sponsorship agreement to support the Dubai Schools project

FUTURE PROOF

In 2017, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the One Million Arab Coders initiative to encourage the local youth to learn the language of coding to better equip themselves for future disruptions in technology and the job market. The programme brought together a global community of students, tutors and corporate institutions, all of whom contributed to its success.

DAMAC plays a key role by supporting this programme, which offers the youth a direct path to a prosperous future. Sajwani said: “Fully committed to advancing education and learning of Arab youth across the region, we partnered with the Dubai Future Foundation in supporting the One Million Arab Coders initiative, which provided software development training and the language of coding to one million people across the Arab world.”

Since the programme launched, more than one million students enrolled in courses administered by Udacity and Microsoft. “The Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation remains committed to investing in people and spreading hope to Arab youth, equipping them with tools to carve out a better future for themselves and generations to come,” he added.

The Dubai Schools initiative was launched to provide a state-of-the-art educational experience

Hussain Sajwani on a tour of Dubai Schools

TACKLING FOOD SHORTAGE

The UAE’s One Billion Meals initiative was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the beginning of Ramadan. The largest food donation drive of its kind in the region, it provided food support to the underprivileged and the undernourished in 50 countries around the world, especially vulnerable groups of children, refugees, displaced persons and victims of disasters and crises. To support the campaign, the Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation pledged AED5 million to the initiative.

“The One Billion Meals Campaign is an expression of the UAE’s dedication to humanitarian and solidarity causes. Following last year’s 100 Million Meals campaign, this year’s initiative is an affirmation of this commitment and proof of the reachability and scalability of such an inspiring and virtuous campaign. As global citizens, it is our responsibility to support and nurture a brighter and healthier future generation,” said Sajwani.

FRESH SLATE INITIATIVE

Earlier this year, in anticipation of Ramadan, the foundation, in partnership with Dubai Police General Headquarters, announced the launch of a charitable initiative that seeks to aid detainees in Dubai’s Punitive and Correctional Institutions who have been charged with petty offences. Under the Fresh Slate programme, funds were made available towards the release of men and women detainees and their reentry into society.

Sajwani said: “Life can sometimes present challenges that lead people to make decisions putting them on the wrong side of the law, without willfully intending to break social rules that protect society. We want to give these people a fresh start so they can embark on a new path, and live a respectful life.”

Fresh Slate will pay off the current financial obligations of detainees, both male and female, so that they can be released, allowing them to return to their families and look after their welfare. It aims to give them a fresh opportunity to turn their life around and eventually become productive members of society. The project that was conducted over a period of four months, from April to July 2022, and the release of prisoners took place to coincide with the celebrations of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha.

“The foundation aims to give back to its community for as long as we are in business”

ON-GOING EFFORTS

The drive to enhance local and regional communities is a continuous effort at DAMAC. And, in addition to the group’s major initiatives, smaller programmes have been implemented with support from the group. This included COVID-19 relief services, which saw the company donate AED1 million to provide 125,000 meals to communities affected by the outbreak in the UAE.

In support of people of determination, the Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation provided electronic devices to children under the care of the Al Hadaf Centre for People of Determination, which is helping them to continue their education through distance learning.

Under the Arab Hope Makers initiative, the foundation pledged AED3 million to the initiative’s Humanitarian Cause of the Year that paved the way for the construction of the Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Centre in Egypt, which will help thousands of Arab children and adults suffering from heart diseases free-of-charge.

Still, the agenda remains packed with more campaigns set to launch, further supporting education in the UAE as well as youth development and empowerment.

Sajwani concluded: “We are thankful for the opportunity to play a developmental role in building a sustainable society for generations to come and hope that our work will inspire others to create ever-widening ripples of compassion that will create a better future for the UAE and beyond. The foundation aims to give back to its community for as long as we are in business and as long as there is a need for this support.”