Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has announced its latest edition of the Dubai Cares Distinguished Philanthropic Award in Schools, an initiative that invites students from public and private schools across the seven emirates to participate in this competition by putting forward creative and innovative fundraising concepts, whilst showing a sense of philanthropy and entrepreneurship at an early age. The Award, which is widely popular among UAE schools, provides a unique opportunity for students to create and put into action innovative and effective fundraising concepts that aim to provide quality education to children and young people in developing countries. This year’s Award, which is running from November 2018 to March 2019, urges students to devise and implement their own solutions and fundraising strategies in support of Dubai Cares’ education programs in Jordan and India.
Commenting on the Award, Abdulla Ahmed Al Shehhi Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Cares said: “Schools in the UAE have always been our greatest allies. The Dubai Cares Distinguished Philanthropic Award in Schools will continue to give students in the UAE a chance to work directly on addressing one of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. It is an opportunity for our new generation to contribute towards the global challenge of ensuring inclusive and lifelong learning for all. Dubai Cares’ Distinguished Philanthropic Award in Schools is inspired by the incredible generosity of our nation’s leadership and people. Giving selflessly to those in need was emblematic of the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and it is a value that we are privileged to see in this country’s remarkable children and young people, year after year.”
The Distinguished Philanthropic Award in Schools is divided into two categories; the first one is The Young Philanthropists Award, which recognizes a group of students demonstrating the most innovative solutions to real-life scenarios faced by Syrian refugee children in Jordan. Students, in groups of no more than 10 per group, must present a solution to a challenge faced by students whose education was interrupted because of the ongoing conflict in Syria. The second category, which is the Philanthropic School Award, will be presented to the school that raises the highest amount of funds in support of education programs in India and Jordan. Students from participating schools will work towards implementing fundraising initiatives within their premises.
The first place winner from the Philanthropic School Award category will receive PCs, while the first place winners from the Young Philanthropists Award category will receive tablets.
Held in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE), the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), the Award aims to incorporate philanthropy and goodwill into the education curricula of the UAE, and raise awareness of the challenges faced by underprivileged children and young people around the world who are denied access to quality education.
Reflecting on the changes to this year’s award, Amal Al Redha, Director of Fundraising, Dubai Cares said: “Schools in the UAE have always been our greatest allies. Throughout the year, we are constantly amazed by the enthusiasm; energy and passion of students in finding effective solutions to raise vital funds in support of our global education programs. We look forward to witnessing a high turnout among UAE students along with their unique solutions and ideas in support of ensuring access to quality education for children and young people in Jordan and India. Through our collaborative efforts, we will be able to deliver impactful and sustainable change within these communities.”
In 2017, in the Young Philanthropists Award, GEMS Wellington Primary School earned the top prize for submitting a concept that was both creative and well thought-out. Also recognized were Delhi Private School and Formarke School who collected the second and third place awards respectively. In the Philanthropic School Award category, the first place award went to the Kindergarten Starters, with GEMS Modern Academy and Dubai National School coming in second and third place respectively.
