New approaches are needed to address some of the biggest issues facing the Arab region says top NGO official.

While the pandemic has exacerbated challenges for NGOs working with vulnerable groups, new approaches to philanthropy and partnerships are needed to address some of the biggest issues facing the Arab region like social inequalities, digital divide and cultural barriers, according to the head of one of the biggest philanthropic organizations in the UAE.

“Donating money is nice, but it is simply not good enough,” Dr. Sonia Ben Jaafar, Chief Executive Officer, Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education, told Khaleej Times in an exclusive interview.

“If you are a high net worth individual, we expect now that you offer your time, your business acumen, your network and your ideas. I think that we have to move into a philanthropy that is not a photo op,” she said.

As the head of one of the largest privately funded philanthropic education initiatives in the Arab world, Jaafar vouches that addressing critical issues is about creating a strategy “so that all of us can survive together.”

According to her, NGOs and philanthropic institutions have already shifted from an era of charity to an era of strategic, collective philanthropy to be able to meet those challenges.

“We cannot solve anything unless we work with an ecosystem, which means universities can’t act alone, governments can’t act alone, private sector can’t act alone. We need to act together. We have over 38 partners from different entities including private sector, academia, volunteer groups, public sector entities.”

With many young Arabs remaining jobless and unable to transition to the labour market, Jaafar said the Foundation has realized what the region needs is not education for education’s sake.

“We need education that can promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth so that the youth with relevant skills that will lead to employment, entrepreneurship, vocational skills.. whatever it is that will allow them to live honourably.”

For that, greater connection between education and corporate leaders, career readiness and guidance are needed.

“We, at the Foundation are striving to create those programs that address the complete spectrum of education to employment, or education to entrepreneurship. And the best thing is that we are not trying to do it alone. It is a collective journey and a collective that is guided by the vision of our founder Abdulla Al Ghurair” she said.

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Written by Anjana Sankar
Image: Getty Images
Publication date: December 30, 2021

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