First environment-related endowment initiative launched

The first environment-related endowment initiative was launched today by the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy and the Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS-WWF).

The initiative came in response to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s declaration of 2017 as the Year of Giving.

The new endowment also follows Dubai’s Global Vision for Awqaf and Endowments, launched by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to revive endowment as a tool of social development.

The UAE has a rich natural heritage as well as an outstanding history of protecting this heritage, said Laila Mostafa Abdul Latif, Deputy Director-General of the EWS-WWF. "It is our collective duty as a community to help preserve our environment so as to ensure a healthy life for the generations to come."

In the coming period, the EWS-WWF will work towards attracting supporters willing to become part of our innovative endowment thus contributing to the development of society through environmental support," Mustafa said.

Dr. Hamad Al Hammadi, Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy, expressed the hope that the environment endowment would attract a large number of companies willing to support environment programmes and research.

Although participation in the new initiative is considered as corporate social responsibility, the Consultancy provides benefits to companies wishing to receive the Dubai Endowment Sign, a recognition awarded to entities for their sustainable social contributions, Al Hammadi said.