Skill development programs in the UAE and Saudi Arabia will help women and youth to make a meaningful contribution to their communities

Abu Dhabi, UAE, June 18 2013 - Accenture Middle East today announced it is supporting the company's global Skills to Succeed initiative in the UAE and Saudi Arabia by equipping local people with the skills to find a job or build a business.

Accenture has nominated two non-profit organizations - INJAZ UAE, a member of Junior Achievement Worldwide, and the Al-Nahda Philanthropic Society for Women in Saudi Arabia - to receive the funds required to set-up skill development programmes.

"Accenture is committed to women empowerment as part of its global corporate citizenship, and especially in the Middle East" said Omar Boulos, managing director Accenture Middle East. "Al-Nahda has a vision for women to be more active in the development of Saudi Arabian society so the Skills to Succeed initiative will help them with this goal."

"This is the first year that Accenture has rolled out its Skills to Succeed program in the Middle East region. As well as supporting INJAZ UAE and the Al-Nahda Philanthropic Society for Women, regional Accenture staff will also look to provide volunteer mentoring to other local organizations" said Boulos.

Women's attitudes towards work are already positive in the region. Accenture's "Defining Success" research, realized in celebration of International Women's Day, revealed that 90 per cent of professional women in Saudi Arabia, and 76 per cent of UAE women, can "have it all" in terms of a successful career and a full family life. Sixty-six per cent of Saudi professional women and 38 per cent of UAE women say that making a difference in the community defines their success. Being able to achieve a work-life balance equals success for 64 per cent of Saudi and 67 per cent of UAE professional women. Further, technology is allowing 90 per cent of professional women in Saudi, and 80 per cent of UAE women, to have a more flexible schedule.

Accenture recently announced it had exceeded its original Skills to Succeed goal of equipping 250,000 people around the world by 2015 with the skills to get a job or build a business. As a result--and to increase its impact in communities worldwide--the company has set a higher goal: by 2015, it will equip 500,000 people globally with these workplace and entrepreneurial skills.

The company surpassed its original goal, set in 2010, by working with global and local nonprofit partners that deliver measurable employment and entrepreneurship outcomes at scale. Accenture has already equipped more than 320,000 people with skills that enable them to participate in and contribute to the economy.

About Skills to Succeed
Skills to Succeed is Accenture's global corporate citizenship initiative, which focuses on advancing employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in both mature and emerging markets. By 2015, the company is committed to equipping 500,000 people around the world with the skills to get a job or build a business. To achieve this, Accenture will continue to work with strategic partners that share its skills-building goals. Current partners include organizations such as Junior Achievement, Plan International, Save the Children, and Youth Business International, among others. Additionally, the company offers its people volunteering and pro-bono opportunities and expands its impact by replicating and scaling successful

initiatives. Accenture and the Accenture Foundations will contribute more than US$100 million by the end of 2013 to support the company's corporate citizenship efforts, through global and local giving, as well as pro bono contributions of time and Accenture employee skills. 

About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approximately 261,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries.  Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world's most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments.  Through its Skills to Succeed corporate citizenship focus, Accenture is committed to equipping 500,000 people around the world by 2015 with the skills to get a job or build a business. The company generated net revenues of US$27.9 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2012.  Its home page is www.accenture.com.

© Press Release 2013