Dubai: Dubai Crown Prince Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Day for Dubai volunteering initiative has generated a huge interest among various communities of the emirate, organisers said on Saturday.
Launched under the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the initiative calls on the residents of Dubai to dedicate a day in the service of the society.
The emirate’s largest volunteering initiative saw Shaikh Hamdan sending SMSes to Dubai residents, appealing them to share their gift of time and to dedicate at least one day of the year to volunteering.
Aimed at both solidifying social responsibility among its residents and reinforcing the spirit of volunteering, Day for Dubai also aims at making Dubai the most giving city in the world. Overseen by the General Secretariat of The Executive Council of Dubai in partnership with the Community Development Authority in Dubai and Watani Al Emarat Foundation, the initiative also inspires individuals to create various volunteering opportunities to leverage their talent and skill sets.
Residents will have opportunities to take part in activities that preserve local heritage and passing it down to future generations, such as hunting, diving, poetry, and crafting, but also through sharing talent and expertise in specific sectors such as financial, strategical, technical, and managerial analysis.
The initiative also encourages private and public organisations to join the citywide volunteering movement to develop and participate in various volunteering opportunities, create meaningful partnerships, and ensure that residents are invited to be active participants.
Following the messages sent by Shaikh Hamdan, the number of registered volunteers increased, demonstrating the social cohesion of the UAE community.
Abdullah Mohammad Al Basti, secretary-general of the Dubai Executive Council, stated that the Day for Dubai initiative reflects the emirate’s strategic vision.
Ahmad Julfar, director-general of the Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai, committed to supporting the various volunteering opportunities; continuing to raise awareness around volunteering; and setting regulations, processes, and laws that highlight the roles and responsibilities of volunteers.
Dherar Bel Houl Al Falasi, director-general of Watani Al Emarat Foundation, confirmed the foundation’s commitment to supporting the Day for Dubai initiative through the application, receiving volunteering suggestions from community members, as well as logistically supporting the various initiatives that highlight the value of volunteer work.
“Volunteering is one of the most important pillars for the advancement of societies. Watani Al Emarat Foundation is committed to providing the required support to encourage volunteering as it serves the community. Initiatives launched by our leadership have highlighted the importance of volunteerism and have encouraged residents to make it a way of living,” said Al Falasi.
