Emirates foundation youth philanthopy Summit opens to maximise social investment

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Foreign Minister and Chairman of Emirates Foundation, the Emirates Foundation for Youth Philanthropy Summit 2014 opened its doors on Monday to bring together experts from around the world in an in-depth and engaging debate on how the impact of philanthropic investment can be maximised to empower youth and further benefit societies in a sustainable way.
In its second year, the summit titled "Philanthropy 2020: Improving Impact, Effectiveness and Collaboration" is offering a strategic platform that connects leading innovative institutions, global and regional business experts, government representatives and philanthropists to discuss best ways to improve the philanthropy sector and gain social investment results. The Summit is happening at the Ritz- Carlton Hotel in Abu Dhabi between 3-4 November.
The two-day summit includes 21 interactive panel debates with the participation of more than 60 international experts and speakers from more than 50 local, regional and international organisations.
The summit opened today with a video speech from H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Foreign Minister and Chairman of Emirates Foundation.
"For the second consecutive year, the Emirates Foundation is holding the annual Philanthropy Summit as a strategic platform utilising thought leadership and pioneering institutions to discuss how philanthropy can be more impactful, and helping youth meet their fullest potential while creating positive sustainable social value," H.H. Sheikh Abdullah said.
"The summit aims to discuss emerging trends in venture philanthropy, and its effectiveness in youth empowerment. In its second round, it will look into creating impact at scale and delivering real systematic sustainable change that can touch the lives of thousands of young people," H.H. Sheikh Abdullah added.
In his opening remarks, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Transport Department and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, and Managing Director of the Emirates Foundation said, "The annual Youth Philanthropy Summit is being held in light of the UAE’s success and achievements in all areas covering economy, social and culture developments. Without a doubt, these achievements position the UAE as a hub for comprehensive development in all fields." He also highlighted in his speech the UAE’s successful record in the field of volunteering and aid work, which is inspired by the legacy of the founder and builder of the renaissance of the UAE Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, (may God have mercy upon him), and currently is reflected in the prestigious position reached by the UAE as one of the leading six countries in the world in providing assistance and humanitarian aid and relief to all those in need around the world.
"The most distinguishing feature of this summit is it’s focus on youth, which is in line with the Foundation’s vision of investing in young people and enabling them to contribute towards building the future of the country. The Foundation has positioned itself as the center for exchanging experiences, lessons learned on how to promote the culture of giving, youth development, and implementation of social investments based on partnership and cooperation, innovation and creativity, together with the belief that understanding the needs of the youth is the best way to achieve success," Sheikh Sultan added.
"The summit will conduct panel debates in order to enable and enhance youth ability to establish successful and influential social enterprise, not only in the UAE, but also in the GCC. This comes as an implementation of the initiative of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Foreign Minister and Chairman of Emirates Foundation, who has launched the idea of The Emirates Award for Arabian Gulf Youth, where the Foundation is organising a ceremony on the 18th of November to honor the young winners." Sheikh Sultan concluded.