Capital to tap all sectors to boost social work
abu dhabi — Fostering a culture of volunteerism, a new initiative in the Capital is set to bring together all sectors of society to ensure that everyone in the community gets to live a decent life,.
The recently launched programme called Ma’an — which means ‘together’ in Arabic — aims to support the growth of social enterprises, empower social entrepreneurs, help fund social services, and encourage everyone to become volunteers.
Through Ma’an, which falls under the Department of Community Development, the government will rope in everyone in the Capital to create a cohesive, robust and inclusive society where expatriates and Emiratis, departments, firms and organisations are working together for the greater good.
Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development, told Khaleej Times after the launch that promoting volunteerism and fostering relations between public and private sectors will be among
As the city, along with the rest of the nation, matures, it is our responsibility to ensure that this growth is truly inclusive, compassionate and consistent.”
Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, chairman, Abu Dhabi Dept of Community Development
the body’s top priorities.
“The Ma’an platform will engage all sectors of society to participate in the development of Abu Dhabi, advancing an entrepreneurial spirit, and strengthening social cohesion,” he said.
“A culture of giving, community participation and generosity are inherent values of the UAE’s society, and these principles are considered the heritage of the people. Ma’an will continue this legacy of uniting diverse stakeholders, generating progressive and smart solutions for the city’s social needs, and creating a sustainable economy based on knowledge and innovation.”
Al Khaili added that the new initiative will activate social cooperation among nationals, expats and organisations and strengthen volunteer work across the emirate.
As part of the Abu Dhabi Government Accelerators Programme ‘Ghadan 21’, Ma’an is designed to encourage community engagement with a focus on four themes: social investment fund, incubation and scaling-up, focus on outcome, and social volunteering programmes.
“As the city, along with the rest of the nation, matures, it is our responsibility to ensure that this growth is truly inclusive, compassionate and consistent. Ma’an is well-positioned to assist the government in delivering the best solutions to meet our society’s complex challenges,” Al Khaili said.
The community development department will be in charge of regulating community activities and issuing licences to those who wish to carry out social projects, while Ma’an will execute initiatives on the ground and provide a platform for people to share their ideas and efforts.