AUB’s 2016 social responsibility program hailed as a great success
Ahli United Bank’s (AUB) 2016 corporate social responsibility program has been hailed as a great success. The Bank participated in an extensive and diversified range of activities throughout the year that added value to the wider social community in Kuwait. Throughout the year, the Bank took part in a number of events which included its underlying support to children with autism, an event that took place at the Arabian Gulf beach, and was patronized under the President of Civil Development Society, Sheikha Dr. Maimouna Al-Sabah under the theme of “You’re welcome, Run with Us, Supporting our children.”
A large number of the Bank’s executive management and staff participated, who found that this event was a strong platform to create a good level of awareness around autism in Kuwait. As part of its continued efforts to reinforce its services to special needs clients, AUB organized a wide number of specialized training courses throughout the year that aimed at providing an educational base for employees to learn more about sign language, with a primary objective of facilitating communications with special needs customers, and helping them receive the best possible banking services that are in line with their varied needs.
In a clear message that supports the importance of encouraging special needs athletes, and showcasing their true potential, AUB supported the Kuwait Paralympics team that participated in the Paralympics which took place in Brazil from Sept 7 to 19, 2016. This popular initiative was widely endorsed by representatives from the Kuwait Disabled Sports Club, who have commended the Bank’s support towards its athletes. At the same time, it also shed light on the overall developmental role the Bank plays to facilitate the necessary needs for special needs citizens, a core social segment of the wider community that is able to represent Kuwait in a number of activities, whether sports, cultural and scientific amongst others.
The Bank continued the social responsibility program during 2016 with an entertaining event that was held under the theme of “Color your life”, which was held at the Al-Kharafi Children Special Needs Center. The event was held to celebrate World Special Needs Day which is marked on Dec 3 each year, and included a variety of fun filled activities, where children of all age groups participated with the objective of creating an encouraging and competitive spirit amongst participants. The event also included distribution of gifts to all those who took part.
The Bank has placed healthcare amongst its list of priorities. To that extent, AUB launched its annual initiative, in line with World Humanitarian Day, which was held on the 19 Aug 2016, where a number of the Bank’s female employees volunteered in a visit to the Hayat Breast Cancer Association, which is also known as “Ruqayah Abdulwahab Al Qatami Association.” In a special event that was held by Hayat Breast Cancer Association in Al Shuwaikh District, AUB’s volunteering team met patients as well as cancer survivors, with an objective of communicating with them, supporting their treatment and recovery process as well as distributing gifts to raise their morale.
In an humanitarian initiative that aims at supporting social wellbeing and giving amongst members of the society, AUB organized a number of blood donation drives which were in support of the Blood Bank. The blood donation campaigns, which were held at the Bank’s headquarters, were widely received and well attended by the Bank’s employees, who donated their blood. The initiative reflects the overall increased awareness levels around the importance of driving reserves at the Blood Bank, and supporting its role of saving patient lives who require transfusions.
AUB has also sponsored the national blood donation campaign which was launched earlier by the Central Blood Bank under the theme “Be the first to donate blood”. The event was held in line with the World Donors Day, which is celebrated on June 14 each year. The Bank sponsored the second gastroenterology disease conference, which was organized by the Kuwaiti Gastroenterology Board during May 2016. The event aimed at qualifying the skills and potentials of all Kuwaiti doctors and increasing their overall knowledge base. In line with World Diabetes Day which is held on 14 Nov each year, AUB organized a health drive for its employees, in cooperation with Dar Al Shifa Hospital.
The hospital’s team visited the Bank’s main branch, and were given a large conference room to conduct the necessary tests that aim at preventing diabetes. These included measuring blood glucose levels, blood pressure as well as BMI levels. Moreover, a live discussion with the hospital’s nutritionist was facilitated, where a range tips were provided to the staff after performing the tests on them and raising their awareness levels around diet and nutrition that suit their health needs and helps prevent diabetes or manage their conditions. Dar Al Shifa Hospital’s team provided booklets that included the necessary information around the disease, its complications and prevention mechanisms.
An integrated social program
As part of its annual drive, AUB launched its integrated social responsibility program during the Holy Month of Ramadan. The program was developed in cooperation with LOYAC, which aims at strengthening ties amongst members of the society, and encouraging a sense of happiness during the holy month. Special needs comes at the core of the Bank’s activities during the year, where AUB celebrated Girgean with the Kuwait Down Syndrome Society and Souad Al Sabah Special Needs Care Center, where the Bank distributed gifts as well as shared the joy of Ramadan with the participants.
Throughout the month, the Bank also organized a Quran recitation competition at its headquarters. The competition included 4 groups - male and female employees, employees’ children, and children from the general public. As part of its continued efforts to support the society and contribute in charitable initiatives during the holy month of Ramadan, AUB launched a program that aimed at breaking the fast for fasting underprivileged individuals near its branches across Kuwait.
AUB, being a core member of Kuwaiti society, participated in the national celebrations, with an aim of spreading happiness and joy across social groups. The Bank organized a special celebration to mark Kuwait’s National Day, which was held at the Bank’s complex. The celebration included a segment of national songs in front of a large crowd. The Kuwaiti flag was also distributed amongst the audience, along with sweets. The Bank also organized an open day for its employees and their families at Al Shaheed Park, which included a wide range of surprises and entertaining segments and gifts distribution in a fun filled atmosphere.
AUB’s initiative to sponsor the celebration that marked Kuwait as the capital of Islamic culture, which was organized by the Ministry of Education in November 2016, was part of its support toward spreading the Islamic culture and reinforcing its values, and human nature, which is considered a core aspect of the Bank’s management philosophy. AUB sponsored the “Service Is My Joy” Program within the framework of its strategic partnership with LOYAC Kuwait. The Bank’s latest alliance reflects its effort to reinforce its extensive range of social activities and underlying support for Kuwaiti society.
The ‘Service Is My Joy’ initiative aims at helping various social segments. The initiative involves participants aged 16 and above taking part in volunteering committees and collaborating with a number of volunteering centers such as KAACH, Paradise Institute and Abeer 2. Throughout the program, activities range between learning how to perform first aid at the Kuwait Red Crescent Society as well as providing support services to the elderly. As part of its efforts to support all members of the society, AUB sponsored the first national conference that focuses on investing the capabilities of retired professionals.
The conference was held on the 30 May 2016 under the patronage of Mr Marzouq Ali Al Ghanem, Parliament Speaker, and was attended by a number of the country’s officials. AUB’s support is reflected in supporting retired professionals due to their leading roles over a number of years who are also considered important members of society that require care and appreciation for their many years of professional service and expertise. The Bank has reaffirmed its leading social position in similar events which aims at improving retired professionals’ lives and is line with its overall objective of providing banking services that meet their needs.
In line with the Bank’s strategic imperatives of empowering youth, being the backbone of the country’s future, AUB has welcomed the sponsorship of the charity dinner organized by Mentor Arabiaheld under the patronage His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The dinner was attended by the Representative of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al Sabah - Deputy Minister of AmiriDiwan, HM Queen Silvia of Sweden - President of Mentor International, HRH Prince Turki Bin Talal Bin Abdelaziz Al Saud Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mentor Arabia, and Faisal Al Mutawa, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mentor Arabia, with the objective being to participate in the organization’s efforts in safeguarding youth from drug abuse, and raising more awareness around its dangers across society.
The event was attended by a number of senior executives from AUB who have shared their gratitude and respect towards the role that the Mentor Arabia plays in empowering the youth and protecting them from negative practices, namely drug abuse while creating a sense of awareness amongst the youth around the dangers of drugs. This is in line with the Bank’s social role and its commitment toward the younger members of the society. Richard Groves, Chief Executive Officer of Ahli United Bank, said, “Since the Bank’s operations were launched 75 years ago, and as the first bank to operate in Kuwait accommodating the most important milestones across the Kuwaiti economy throughout its history.
AUB was able to develop a strong footprint across the local banking sector and support its economic development. At the same time, the Bank has ensured that its social development role in Kuwait grows. Social responsibility has long been a core part of the Bank’s strategy, especially when the Bank operates under the Shari’a law, which adds more depth and value to the Bank’s overall role in society.” Grovesadded, “Our understanding on the social role reflects our commitment to establishing a robust social role. To that extent, our commitment continues to drive more comprehensive social responsibility activities, through a diverse range of initiatives that help achieve a more sustainable society, and which helps create an understanding and culture of social obligation.”