Chaired by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Emirates Foundation, the Emirates Foundation has held its second Board of Directors meeting for 2016, focusing on the foundation’s expansion plans and achievements across the UAE.

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah welcomed the Managing Director of Emirates Foundation, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, and the board members; H.H. Sheikh Dhiyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance, Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al Ghurair, Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Nasser Al-Owais, Minister of Health, Mohammed Hassan Omran Al Shamsi, Shamma bint Sohail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Mohamed Hamed Ghanim Al Mehairi, Muna Al Gurg, and Reem Yusuf Al Shemmari, Director of Strategic Communications Affairs, Executive Affairs Authority.

Sheikh Abdullah recognised the establishment of Emirates Foundation’s coordination office in Dubai, made possible through the strategic partnership with the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, the Ajman Office in partnership with the Abdulaziz bin Humaid Foundation, the foundation’s plans to establish offices in Ras Al-Khaimah and the work of Khaled Abdullah Yousef, as evidence of the foundation’s commitment to support the needs of the youth, particularly the disadvantaged among them.

Sheikh Abdullah added, "Bringing our leadership’s vision to life is a key priority, and was the starting point for our decision to expand the foundation’s reach and extend its programmes across the Emirates. Over the past six months, we have witnessed significant progress in this direction and we look forward to further milestones being achieved over the next few months."

He also highlighted the successful application of the foundation’s venture philanthropy business model across all programmes such as Sanid, the emergency volunteer response programme, and Takatof, the community engagement-volunteering programme. The two programmes have achieved their business targets and milestones critical to their transition into independent and sustainable social impact enterprises.

His Highness said, "We have a clear and ambitious vision for the Emirates Foundation built on harnessing the best in-class business models, approaches and processes to ensure our programmes are delivering impact and creating social value for our youth with a long-term view towards sustainability.

Sheikh Abdullah also congratulated the foundation on the successful completion of the fourth edition of the 'Think Science' competition, reiterating his gratitude to Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for his valuable support in honouring the winners, reflecting his unwavering commitment to youth and to their pursuit of creativity, innovation and STI (science, technology and innovation) career paths.

In his concluding remarks, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah congratulated Shamma bint Sohail Faris Al Mazrui for her new position as a Board Member of Emirates Foundation, emphasising the important role she will play in advocating for youth needs and aspirations as well as expanding Emirates Foundation’s reach and engagement with them.

Source : WAM