Leaders to take part in Arab philanthropy forum

Dubai: Prominent regional leaders will take part in a two-day regional consultation on philanthropy in the Arab world starting on Sunday.

The forum, titled "From Charity to Change: Trends in Arab Philanthropy," will review key findings of the first report on philanthropy in the Arab world in a study undertaken by John D. Gerhart Centre for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement, at the American University in Cairo, which covers philanthropic work in the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, it is being organised by the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation from January 20 to 21 at the Monarch Hotel.

Prominent people attending the forum will include Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan; Prince Turki Bin Talal Al Saud of Saudi Arabia; Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Khalid of Saudi Arabia; Shaikh Saleh Kamel, Chairman and Founder of the Dallah Al Baraka Group, as well as leading UAE businessmen including Juma Al Majid, Majid Al Futtaim and Khalaf Al Habtoor.

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Board of Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, said: "As a pioneering regional platform, the forum lays ... emphasis on devising new strategies to enhance the impact of investing in philanthropic projects."