Emirates Foundation signs up 64,000 young people as volunteers

ABU DHABI // The Emirates Foundation has hailed the power of youth after engaging 64,000 youngsters during the year.

The young people signed up to its volunteering programmes Takatof and Sanid, Think Science, Esref Sah (Spend Right), Kafaat for career developing projects and Kayani, to empower the disabled.

The number was announced at the board’s end-of-year meeting on Sunday.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and chairman of the foundation, said it was looking to the future.

“This year the foundation has made enormous progress and was able to reach out to nearly 64,000 young people and engage thousands through its various programmes, platforms and initiatives,” Sheikh Abdullah said.

“Since the inception of Emirates Foundation, we have continued to solidify our commitment to guide and inspire the youth of the UAE through a rich and diverse portfolio of programmes.

“The foundation’s portfolio currently includes six focused programmes, all designed with the goal of creating measurable social value and delivering a permanent and positive impact for youth and society.

“We believe in creation and inspiration. We believe in hard work and commitment. Most of all, we believe in the inherent ability of youth to be the catalyst for positive change and the realisation of our nation’s ambition.”

One of the biggest achievements of the year, he said, was hosting the first Philanthropy Summit.

“This year, the foundation has organised its first ever Philanthropy Summit, where distinguished speakers, experts, philanthropists and government and business officials from across the region and the globe united to discuss the philanthropy in transition,” Sheikh Abdullah said.

During the summit in November, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Cooperation and a board member, said the UAE aimed to tackle a range of social problems and play a role in the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people.

Next year’s budget was also agreed to at the meeting.

osalem@thenational.ae