Supporting Volunteerism and Social Cohesion

Through its pioneeringCSR initiatives,DEWA encourages itsemployees to give backto society locally andinternationally

By HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority

Since its establishment, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has been focusing on achieving a balance between economic, environmental, and social goals. This is in accordance with an institutional framework for community service. DEWA strives to become one of the biggest supporters to the integrated and sustainable system of volunteering in the UAE and Dubai through its continuous work to promote volunteering, social cohesion, launching and sponsoring several pioneering humanitarian and volunteering initiatives. DEWA employees are keen to participate in volunteering initiatives and programmes, organised by DEWA throughout the year nationally and abroad. DEWA launched 330 social initiatives from 2013 to 2019, with 129,636 hours of volunteer work. This contributed to elevating DEWA’s society happiness percentage up to 93% in 2019. DEWA employees’ engagement in volunteering work has consolidated its social responsibility.

DEWA volunteers in Tajikistan

“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said in the Fifty-Year Charter, ‘Our daily businesses and projects should not let us forget about giving to those who need help’ We strive to consolidate the principles of corporate social responsibility, by focusing on giving and

volunteering as means to build bridges and bring cultures together. DEWA’s pioneering initiatives, volunteering and humanitarian programmes are an indispensable part of its strategy and efforts to serve society. This is in accordance with the UAE Vision 2021 to build a cohesive society and preserved identity; and the Dubai Plan 2021 to make Dubai a city for happy, creative and empowered people who live in a tolerant and inclusive society embracing common civic values,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

DEWA has launched the DEWA Programme for Voluntary Work on its website to enable employees to choose programmes and social initiatives that match their interests, capabilities and time. The programme enables our employees to participate in community service and charitable projects, by allocating some of their time to volunteering during and out of working hours.

DEWA VOLUNTEER DIPLOMA

DEWA has launched the DEWA Volunteer Diploma, in collaboration with Amity University in Dubai in 2019. This is part of DEWA’s efforts to promote volunteerism in Dubai and among its staff. 80 employees from DEWA have received the diploma as the first batch. Each volunteer completed 32 training hours, with a total of 2,560 hours.

DEWA Volunteer Diploma enhances the capabilities of participants and qualifies them to manage volunteering programmes locally and globally, as well as prepare them to become trainers in DEWA’s Volunteer Leadership Programme. This supports Law 5 of 2018, which regulates volunteerism in Dubai and outlines the regulations for encouraging and protecting volunteers, as well as promoting social responsibility and encouraging volunteering among society.

DEWA’s fifth Emirati Women’s Day Forum, 2019

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT IS ONE OF DEWA’S TOP PRIORITIES

In 2019, DEWA participated in a campaign to clean the shores of Jebel Ali Wetland Sanctuary, in cooperation with the Emirates Marine Environmental Group (EMEG). Nearly 500 people participated in the clean-up, including 60 DEWA employees with their families, and 10 students from DEWA Academy. The campaign removed around 1,000 kilograms of waste from the shores of the reserve, which is one of the major natural reserves in Dubai. The Jebel Ali Wetland Sanctuary in Dubai was added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance in 2018.

DEWA organised a 5-day impact study in Wadi Wurayah in Fujairah, UAE; in cooperation with Emirates Wildlife Society, in association with the Worldwide Fund for Nature. The programme studied the impact of climate change on the UAE’s ecosystem, especially freshwater resources, to help the business community define risks and opportunities in development activities relating to the environment and the preservation of natural resources.

The programme consists of two phases with the participation of a group of DEWA’s employees, graduates and members of DEWA’s Youth Council. The programme agenda includes a series of scientific research on the impact of climate change on freshwater ecosystems and the UAE’s biological diversification through a number of lectures, panel discussions, and field research activities.

Aysha Mohammad Alremeithi, DEWA's Youth Council's President, highlighted her keenness to give to the UAE and the society, raise awareness on the importance of volunteering. “I am always keen on benefiting from DEWA’s support for volunteering and the opportunities it provides for us to participate in humanitarian activities in the UAE and abroad. DEWA encouraged me to participate in several important initiatives, including a CSR campaign to Upper Egypt to complete water supply connections and social projects. I also participated in the youth initiative to clean solar panels on rooftops in Hatta, through the Dubai Youth Council, in addition to participating in specialised training of the DEWA Volunteer Diploma. The recognition of HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer for me and 15 other DEWA female employees, who participated in volunteering initiatives, was a kind gesture. The recognition was also an incentive that instils benevolence and tolerance among us.”

DEWA launched 330 social initiatives from 2013 to 2019, with 129,636 hours of volunteer work. This contributed to elevating DEWA’s society happiness percentage up to 93% in 2019.

INTERNATIONAL AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS By the numbers, DEWA has become a leading organisation locally and internationally in social responsibility and volunteerism, in addition to international recognition and prestigious awards. These include the MVO8000 in CSR in 2015, becoming the first government organisation in Dubai to receive this global recognition. DEWA won three awards in the International CSR Excellence Awards 2017. DEWA received the Gold Award in the Best Initiative category for its Emission Reduction Programme, the Silver Award in CSR for the DEWA Sustainability Report 2015, and the Bronze Award in Education for its Rationalisation campaigns. DEWA won the People-of-Determination-Friendly Government Entity award at the 21st Dubai Government Excellence Program (DGEP). It also won the Dubai Giving award in the 21 st DGEP in 2018.

Smart Response Service for electricity and water notifications allows simpler and faster management through DEWA’s smart app and website