Foundation to develop framework for Arab Centre for Philanthropy

Dubai: Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation will develop a concept and framework for the Arab Centre for Philanthropy, which was launched on Sunday by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

“The Shaikh Mohammad Foundation will be a part of this centre and will devise a plan for it to be presented later this year,'' said Nabil Ali Al Yousuf, acting CEO of the foundation. Specifics of the organisation and its mechanisms have not been decided yet, but further discussions between Arab philanthropic organisations will determine the structure and location of the centre, he said.

The centre will have a five-point objective of coordinating philanthropic activities in the region to seek financial support, promoting philanthropy among wealthy Arabs, promoting social entrepreneurship and volunteerism, institutionalising philanthropy, and sponsor scientific research on it in the region.

The announcement of the centre came during Shaikh Mohammad's meeting with prominent leaders of philanthropy from the Arab world at a regional conference in Dubai.

The body will also launch a number of strategic programmes that include those providing scholarships for social leaders, issuing a guide and directory of Arab philanthropic programmes as well organising philanthropy workshops to develop the skills of strategic planning among the staff of philanthropic organisations.

Attention will also be given to encouraging and honouring leaders in philanthropy as well as developing young philanthropic leaderships by providing them with necessary skills to run philanthropic organisations.