UAE. The Dubai Duty Free Foundation and Dubai Cares have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) renewing their partnership for a further three years.
The partnership, which began in 2017 will see Dubai Duty Free continue to support the philanthropic efforts of Dubai Cares’ far-reaching programmes that support the empowerment of children and youth in developing countries through quality education.
As part of the agreement, Dubai Duty Free will donate AED1.5 million (US$ 368,000) to Dubai Cares each year for three years. This contribution will go towards supporting education programmes implemented by Dubai Cares in developing countries. The funds will also help the organisation to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for children and youth and promote lifelong learning by 2030.
The agreement was signed by Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin and Dubai Cares CEO H.E. Tariq Al Gurg at the retailer’s head office.
McLoughlin said, “We are delighted to renew our partnership with Dubai Cares through this MoU. We believe this will further enhance and develop exciting educational programmes that will benefit children and young people in underprivileged communities around the world. We are also excited to work closely with Dubai Cares to identify specific initiatives that tie in with our own Foundation’s objectives.”
H.E. Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, who is also on the charitable body’s Board of Directors, said: “It is a true privilege for us at Dubai Cares to renew our partnership with the Dubai Duty Free Foundation. We are grateful to the shoppers and travellers of Dubai Duty Free who continue to make generous donations in support of thousands of children and young people around the world who currently don’t have access to quality education.
“This commitment truly fosters the spirit of global citizenship among passengers and customers who show empathy that reaches beyond one’s immediate surroundings and extends to those who need help in distant places.”
Also present (pictured below) at the MoU signing were Dubai Duty Free Chief Operating Officer Ramesh Cidambi; Executive Vice President – Corporate Services Salah Tahlak; Senior Vice President – Finance Bernard Creed; Senior Vice President – Marketing Sinead El Sibai; Manager – Corporate Responsibility Olympia Pineda; and Dubai Cares Deputy Director – Fundraising Department with Zainab Faraidooni.
The Dubai Duty Free Foundation, established in October 2004, operates under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free. The Foundation has supported several Dubai Cares initiatives since 2009.
Over the past 13 years, Dubai Cares has been working towards providing children and young people in developing countries with access to quality education through the design and funding of programmes that aim to be integrated, impactful, sustainable and scalable. As a result, the UAE-based global philanthropic organisation has to date successfully launched education programmes reaching over 20 million beneficiaries in 59 developing countries.
[Click on the icon to watch the Dubai Cares Walk for Education 2020. The event saw the UAE community take millions of steps in solidarity with children who walk long distances to reach school in developing countries.]