Abu Dhabi Festival announces the first batch of young philanthropist plans

As part of 18^day In the version with the theme “The future starts now”, the Abu Dhabi Festival announced the graduation of the first batch of young philanthropist programs launched in cooperation with the new Strategic Philanthropy Center of the University of Cambridge. The plan empowers emerging philanthropists to solve social and environmental issues through strategic philanthropy in the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Middle East and North Africa.

The first batch includes 20 people from different countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Lebanon, Palestine, Bangladesh, Jordan and Egypt. After the participants participate in the virtual executive education course, the program will provide in-depth guidance with leading scholars and entrepreneurs around the world in the next phase to help them set goals and strive to achieve them.

HE Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, founder of Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, founder and artistic director of Abu Dhabi Music Festival He said: “Culture has always been an indispensable part of the development of philanthropy. The two complement each other to safeguard civilization and the well-being of the people. After determining that a clear vision is needed to shape the future and culture of regional and international philanthropy, we launched Youth The Philanthropist Program. The program is first a festival, realized through a special partnership with Cambridge University’s new Strategic Philanthropy Center.”

“In the Abu Dhabi Arts Festival’s continued investment in national youth, innovative support helps young people reach their full potential and become tomorrow’s creative leaders. The cutting-edge strategic philanthropy center is leading the way into new horizons and enabling emerging philanthropy Professionals can concentrate their energy and have the greatest impact on society. The Young Philanthropist Program is not only a way for young entrepreneurs to become leaders and patrons of solving economic and social problems, but also an investment in emerging philanthropists in the region. In order to be able to function and achieve long-term change,”He continued.

Clare Woodcraft, Executive Director of the Center for Strategic Philanthropy (CSP) Said: “We are very pleased to partner with ADMAF to provide our executive education program called “Strategic Philanthropy in Emerging Markets: Maximizing Impact”, tailored specifically for the Arab world. The program aims to help young practitioners learn practical To improve their charitable results, while also building a community of young Arab professionals in the field.”

Woodcraft said that CSP is pleased with the level of participation of this young group, noting that they come from a range of organizations, including start-up social entrepreneurs and well-established regional foundations. She said: “Despite the diversity, there is a lot of consensus around the importance of evidence-based interventions, knowing what to measure and how to measure, using brands to build partnerships, and ensuring that even the earliest companies have clearly defined values ​​and Related governance,” she said. “We very much hope that this is just the first step in building a regionally-wide Arab community of young Arab practitioners who can build connections, share best practices, and help ensure that valuable philanthropic capital is deployed wisely to achieve large-scale systemic change. We look forward to the next batch!”

The five-day virtual course will be held from September 27 to 30, 2021. It features a comprehensive plan that aims to promote and develop creative skills, community leadership and community innovation, as well as by addressing themes such as paradigm shifts in philanthropy To develop voluntary initiatives, measure influence, talent development, mixed finance, and create effective governance, which helps to use philanthropic capital in the best way to generate impact and long-term system change.

The course is composed of video lectures, discussions, real-time online tutorial courses and exercises, which solves the need for emerging market philanthropists to make their work in line with national development plans, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the need to deliver sustainable results on a large scale.

The program provides participants with professional knowledge and tools, and will continue to conduct in-depth mentoring meetings with leading scholars and entrepreneurs around the world to help participants develop plans and hone their skills. These conferences will provide emerging philanthropists with opportunities to contact professional philanthropists and expert networks to help guide them to become global leaders in solving social and environmental issues.

Based on a clear vision of adapting to rapid digital transformation and the sustainability of cultural initiatives, the Abu Dhabi Festival combines a unique blend of virtual and face-to-face performances, exhibitions and events using the latest digital technologies.

The Abu Dhabi Festival is supported by its main partner Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala) and energy partner GS Energy.