The next generation of Arabs will face unprecedented demands to give charitably and help the least fortunate in society, one of the UAE’s biggest philanthropists said.
Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair said the pandemic would only add for the need for people to give generously and publicly, inspiring others to do so in the process.
The banking tycoon and chairman of the Abdullah Al Ghurair Foundation for Education spoke as he launched a new platform with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Philanthropy Age.
It features Arab philanthropists speaking about their work, many publicly for the first time. Giving generously is a crucial part of Arab society, but it is seldom spoken about.
That should change, Mr Al Ghurair said.
We kept noticing voices from philanthropy in the Arab world were missing from global forums, despite philanthropy being part and parcel of life there
"These unprecedented times force the next generation to address challenges previous generations had not even imagined," he told The National.
Two years ago, he hosted Bill Gates and his team in Dubai, where they hatched a plan to tell the stories of Arab philanthropy. They never imagined how relevant it would be when the online platform launched this month, amid a global pandemic and an unprecedented scale of job losses in the region and worldwide.
At least $12.7 billion (Dh46.6bn) has been donated globally, according to charity watchdog Candid, which is tracking major grants to address the health crisis.
But also the way in which giving is being done is unique during this time: capital is being given faster and in greater collaboration with other philanthropists, Parastou Youssefi, a senior programme officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, told The National.
The new platform, called Project Inspired, is an unprecedented collection of video interviews and case studies, drawn from conversations with some of the region's leading philanthropists through a media collaboration with Philanthropy Age.
“We kept noticing voices from philanthropy in the Arab world were missing from global forums, despite philanthropy being part and parcel of life there,” Ms Youssefi said.
Mr Al Ghurair said the pandemic is set to reshape the approach of future philanthropists in the Arab world, and they will take on a larger role at a global level to participate. He hopes they can learn the lessons of those who came before them.
“My generation has taught the new one that giving money is not enough,” Mr Al Ghurair, who is also the chairman of the UAE's oldest financial firm, Mashreq Bank, said.
The next generation of philanthropist now confronting the pandemic is by nature more strategic and collaborative in their giving approaches, he added. He is observing higher expectations for partnerships and data-backed assessments on the social impact of capital donations.
“My father’s generation was the 'silent generation',” Mr Al Ghurair said. He hopes by sharing case studies and stories, the project will inspire higher impact giving and a larger dialogue about the tradition of philanthropy in the Arab world.
He said his generation, what he called the “second generation” of philanthropists, is following a more strategic approach, which focuses on continuous learning and on-the-ground experience.
His own visits to refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon inspired him to expand the remit of his father's eponymous foundation, which focuses on education.
"I did not accept that refugee children and youth lose their education and a chance at a better life," he said. "So I created the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund."
The fund has helped 17,000 young refugees in the UAE, Jordan and Lebanon access school, graduate and get on a path to gainful employment.
During the pandemic, classes - typically held in-person at the camps - went remote. The foundation coordinated with local officials to safely distribute laptops and re-tool educators, while gaining buy-in from parents for remote learning.
It was challenging work but Mr Al Ghurair said it was a lesson in seeing a need and responding quickly. The learning outcomes exceeded expectations and the rapid scale-up in technology has actually improved access to education at a cheaper cost, he said. The remote learning programme is likely to continue in some form beyond the pandemic.
"My hope is the new generation of Arab philanthropists will learn from these times," he said.
"And that they will strive to explore homegrown innovative solutions to the rooted challenges facing our region and collectively maximise impact."
Family reunited
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.
She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.
She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.
The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.
She was held in her native country a year later.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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'Panga'
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
More from UAE Human Development Report:
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
SPECS
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The%20specs
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LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Real Sociedad v Leganes (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Real Valladolid (4pm)
Valencia v Granada (7pm)
Eibar v Real Madrid (9.30pm)
Barcelona v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Sunday
Real Mallorca v Villarreal (3pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Levante (5pm)
Atletico Madrid v Espanyol (7pm)
Getafe v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Real Betis v Sevilla (midnight)
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Vikram%20Vedha
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Masters%20of%20the%20Air
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Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Wonka
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The%20specs
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LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
