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Thursday, October 04, 2007
Dubai is contributing more than its fair share to overcoming illiteracy problem in the world. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Dubai Cares project in the first week of the fasting month of Ramadan.
The project aims at educating one million people around the world through building schools, distributing school materials, coordinating food programme at schools, providing medical check-up and offering training workshops for teachers. Shaikh Mohammad said: "Education holds out hope for the future, enrichment for the present, and dignity for mankind."
It was clear from the onset that Shaikh Mohammad initiated this noble cause in Ramadan during which believers are uniquely ready to donate towards reducing the plight of others who are less fortunate. Muslims in particular tend to be willing to donate generously during Ramadan, as fasting injects a fresh reminder of the plight of poor.
Shaikh Mohammad called on the society at large and notably the business community including branches of foreign firms operating in Dubai to contribute in this extraordinary effort. He led by example, as he and his family donated money for the project.
Dubai Cares officials expected the campaign to generate some Dh200 million in the first phase alone. Business leaders and firms in the emirate were quick to embrace the idea. Among others, etisalat, the giant telecommunications firm, pledged Dh25 million. Also, Dubai-based real estate developer Damac Properties said it will donate 10 apartments that will be auctioned to raise funds for the initiative. Businessman Mohammad Juma Al Naboudah pledged Dh10 million.
Dubai Cares objectives are in line with millennium development goals (MDGs). One such MGD is that of guaranteeing basic education to every child by the end of 2015. It is estimated that more than 100 million children do not have access to education.
These children are primarily in Asia and Africa. Girls make up about 55 per cent of children denied access to education.
Education serves as one of the three variables on Human Development Index (HDI), the other two being expectancy at birth and income. Illiteracy is a primary reason why some African countries are ranked among the worse on HDI. Niger was ranked the worst country in the 2006 HDI report partly for reporting merely 29 per cent adult literacy rate. Other African countries, namely Sierra Leone, Mali, and Burkina Faso, only followed Niger among 177 countries ranked in the report.
Dubai Cares initiative is a practical implementation of Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation. Designed to contribute towards human development, Shaikh Mohammad unveiled the foundation in May in a speech at the Word Economic Forum held in Jordan. The scheme evolves around a $10 billion endowment to promote human development and improve knowledge infrastructure.
The education drive is the latest in a series of initiatives unveiled by Shaikh Mohammad during 2007. Earlier in April, he announced the UAE Government Strategy covering the period 2007 to 2010. The plan comprises 21 different issues categorised into six sectors, namely social development, economic development, government sector development, safety and justice, infrastructure and rural areas development. The plan aims to achieve sustainable but balanced development by ensuring quality and high standards of living.
And in February, Shaikh Mohammad released Dubai Strategic Plan covering the period 2007 to 2015. The scheme aims at increasing Dubai's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from $37 billion in 2005 to $108 billion by 2015. Also, the plan calls for raising annual GDP per capita income from $33,000 in 2005 to $44,000 in 2015.
The project aims at educating one million people around the world through building schools, distributing school materials, coordinating food programme at schools, providing medical check-up and offering training workshops for teachers. Shaikh Mohammad said: "Education holds out hope for the future, enrichment for the present, and dignity for mankind."
It was clear from the onset that Shaikh Mohammad initiated this noble cause in Ramadan during which believers are uniquely ready to donate towards reducing the plight of others who are less fortunate. Muslims in particular tend to be willing to donate generously during Ramadan, as fasting injects a fresh reminder of the plight of poor.
Shaikh Mohammad called on the society at large and notably the business community including branches of foreign firms operating in Dubai to contribute in this extraordinary effort. He led by example, as he and his family donated money for the project.
Dubai Cares officials expected the campaign to generate some Dh200 million in the first phase alone. Business leaders and firms in the emirate were quick to embrace the idea. Among others, etisalat, the giant telecommunications firm, pledged Dh25 million. Also, Dubai-based real estate developer Damac Properties said it will donate 10 apartments that will be auctioned to raise funds for the initiative. Businessman Mohammad Juma Al Naboudah pledged Dh10 million.
Dubai Cares objectives are in line with millennium development goals (MDGs). One such MGD is that of guaranteeing basic education to every child by the end of 2015. It is estimated that more than 100 million children do not have access to education.
These children are primarily in Asia and Africa. Girls make up about 55 per cent of children denied access to education.
Education serves as one of the three variables on Human Development Index (HDI), the other two being expectancy at birth and income. Illiteracy is a primary reason why some African countries are ranked among the worse on HDI. Niger was ranked the worst country in the 2006 HDI report partly for reporting merely 29 per cent adult literacy rate. Other African countries, namely Sierra Leone, Mali, and Burkina Faso, only followed Niger among 177 countries ranked in the report.
Dubai Cares initiative is a practical implementation of Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation. Designed to contribute towards human development, Shaikh Mohammad unveiled the foundation in May in a speech at the Word Economic Forum held in Jordan. The scheme evolves around a $10 billion endowment to promote human development and improve knowledge infrastructure.
The education drive is the latest in a series of initiatives unveiled by Shaikh Mohammad during 2007. Earlier in April, he announced the UAE Government Strategy covering the period 2007 to 2010. The plan comprises 21 different issues categorised into six sectors, namely social development, economic development, government sector development, safety and justice, infrastructure and rural areas development. The plan aims to achieve sustainable but balanced development by ensuring quality and high standards of living.
And in February, Shaikh Mohammad released Dubai Strategic Plan covering the period 2007 to 2015. The scheme aims at increasing Dubai's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from $37 billion in 2005 to $108 billion by 2015. Also, the plan calls for raising annual GDP per capita income from $33,000 in 2005 to $44,000 in 2015.
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Mr Ahmad Al Matrooshi, UAE Managing Director, Emaar Properties, said: “The response of the business community and individuals to Dubai Cares is truly heartening and a reiteration of the Arabian heritage of lending a helping hand to those in need. As a community-oriented company, Emaar’s contribution to the meaningful cause highlights our corporate social responsibility and commitment to efforts that enhance the welfare of people.”
He added: “It also complements the objectives of Emaar Education, our education subsidiary, in providing quality educational opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa region, South Asia and the Subcontinent. Emaar Education will explore opportunities to work with Dubai Cares in realizing the Millennium Development Goal of providing primary education to children around the world.”
By providing educational opportunities to needy children, Dubai Cares is working to eradicate global poverty and lay a strong basis for sustained economic growth. The funds will be utilized for building new school facilities, renovating existing ones, distributing school supplies, awarding scholarships, conducting medical check-up for students and training teachers.
Emaar has unveiled several corporate social responsibility initiatives including the creation of job opportunities for young UAE nationals and supports several charity organisations in the region.
The fund raising drive, which aims to educate 1 million children worldwide, has captured the imagination of the public and private sector alike and has so far raised over Dhs688 million.
Commenting on the donation made earlier this week by Dubai Duty Free, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group said: 'As part of the growing retail sector of the city, Dubai Duty Free is also very much a part of the global community and this worthy cause, which aims to change the lives of a million children, is very much in line with Dubai Duty Free's own Charity Foundation.'
Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free added ' Dubai Cares is such an ambitious project and it is fantastic to see such a huge response from the community. We are delighted to lend our support to this initiative which will have a far reaching impact for generations to come.'
Dubai Duty Free's Charity Foundation was launched in October 2004 under the auspices of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum with Mr. McLoughlin as Chairman of the board. The Foundation was launched to help needy causes, especially those relating to children. Over the past three years the Foundation has contributed to various charities including the Standard Chartered 'Seeing is Believing' campaign aimed at restoring sight to millions of people and the 'Right to Play' charity aimed and introducing sport into the lives of underprivileged children.
DKV Quizmasters 2007, held at the Dubai Knowledge Village Conference Centre, raised funds through participation and entry fees. Sponsored by universities based in the academic cluster, more than 11 campus-based institutions participated in the contest that was hosted by dubaiquiz.com. The team from MAHE-Manipal Dubai campus emerged as winners with BITS Pilani Dubai coming a close second.
Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Executive Director, Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City, part of TECOM Investments, said: “The tremendous interest demonstrated by our students and universities indicates their high level of commitment and involvement in the ‘Dubai Cares’ initiative. We are confident the evening’s proceeds will help gain a better future for the campaign’s ultimate beneficiaries.
“The ‘Dubai Cares’ campaign recognises education as an effective long-term solution to alleviate poverty in the developing world. This reinforces the call of experts that educating children holds the key to ending the global 'cycle of poverty’. As the region’s hub for learning excellence, we are proud to play our part in this campaign.”
Vikas Kanojia, Senior Student Service Co-ordinator at Dubai Knowledge Village, said: “DKV Quizmasters 2007 was organized to support and contribute to the Dubai Cares campaign. The learning community of DKV and DIAC has magnanimously ensured the success of the event. We are also grateful for the overwhelming support extended by our academic institutions.”
The Dubai Cares campaign was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. The campaign will drive the U.N. Millennium Development Goal to achieve universal primary education by 2015.
Fundraising efforts over the weekend made total donations for Dubai Cares skyrocket beyond Dh1 billion. Shaikha Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum led a walkathon at Nad Al Sheba race track on Friday and raised Dh600,000.
In addition to Dh600,000 raised from registration fees and sales, a generous donation of Dh73,400 was made by CA Transforming and IT Management to the campaign.
Under the directives of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Executive Council, the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) pledged Dh43,910,000 from the proceeds of the fifty-second Distinguished Vehicle Numbers Auction and six weeks' revenue from the toll gate system.
The auction generated Dh8,910,000, while Salik revenue for six weeks amounted to Dh35 million.
The number plate F196 fetched the highest amount of Dh300,000.
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, said the initiative of the RTA to allocate the proceeds of the Distinguished Vehicle Number Auction along with the revenues of Salik to Dubai Cares, is in response to the directives of Shaikh Hamdan and as part of a series of initiatives made by the RTA in support of the campaign.
Better numbers
Dubai Cares was launched on September 19 by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who has tasked his children with the responsibility to drive the campaign at home and represent Dubai in recipient countries.
First-time bidders showed up for the car registration plate auction yesterday eager to purchase coveted numbers.
However, some experienced auction-goers complained that the numbers on offer were not the best, and in the context of charity better numbers should have been put up for auction.
"Single or double digit number plates readily get bought for Dh4 or Dh5 million whereas this auction generated about that much only. We wanted to see better numbers to make it really worthwhile for charity," said Emirati Yousuf Nasser.
More than 3,000 people turned out to pledge their support and walk with Shaikha Maitha on Friday where she was joined by Ahmad Sa'ad Al Sharief, Secretary General, Dubai Sports Council; Saeed Hareb, Managing Director, Dubai International Marine Club; Ali Bu Jsaim, a prominent national football figure, and Gada Shua, the Syrian Olympic gold medallist.
Launched on September 19 by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Cares has received support from across Dubai's diverse community.
The campaign is Dubai's contribution towards the United Nation's Millennium Development Goal of achieving universal primary education by 2015.
Objectives
Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum yesterday received the latest million-dirham donation from UAE businessman Tarek Khan Saheb who applauded the initiative's "noble objectives."
"Dubai Cares addresses one of the most pressing issues in the world by helping the world's poorest communities to educate their children," Khan Saheb said.
"Education will help them harness untapped potential by opening up unprecedented opportunities ... We hope Dubai Cares will inspire the corporate community in Dubai to launch creative initiatives to support those in need."
Commenting on the donation, Yusuffali said, “His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is a visionary leader of the Arab world and it is our responsibility to support this noble venture.”
Meanwhile, Shaikh Rashid yesterday also received a donation of Dh25,000 from the King’s Revival Church, Dubai, towards the Dubai Cares initiative.
Presenting the cheque, Rev. Dr V. Dilkumar, senior overseeing pastor, acknowledged the noble gesture extended by Shaikh Mohammed.
He said, “The charity drive has invoked the noble thought of sharing and caring. It has motivated us to come forward and generously donate to help the less fortunate. We are honoured to play our part in this campaign that shines as a beacon of hope to children and families that truly deserve a chance.”
The campaign, launched in the Holy Month of Ramadan, has surpassed all expectations in raising funds of over Dh1 billion in less than a month. It was recently extended by two more weeks, to maintain the unprecedented fund raising momentum set by the community in Dubai, and to eventually benefit a larger number of children.
Dubai Cares campaign contributes to a global drive to help countries achieve their UN Millennium Development Goals of providing primary education to every child by 2015.