• 28 graduates proposed 5 unique projects that innovate and shape the future of humanitarian work
  • First graduating class successfully completed both phases and supported on-ground COVID-19 relief efforts
  • Dubai Media Incorporated documented different stages of Hope Makers Development Program to be aired across TV stations
  • Hope Makers Development Program aims to deliver talented youth capable of innovating and shaping the future of humanitarian work
  • Participants experienced first-hand the response to critical humanitarian challenges, such as COVID-19

Mohammed Al Gergawi: The development of humanitarian work capabilities and advancing the skills of those that carry it out is more pressing today than ever before

Mohammed Al Gergawi: We can make 2021 a turning point in the future of humanitarian work

Mohammed Al Gergawi: The vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to support and encourage ambassadors of optimism, giving, and solidarity, who truly believe that the future is better

Mohammed Al Gergawi: Graduates of the Hope Makers Development Program are ambassadors of innovation in effective humanitarian work 

Dubai, UAE: The Hope Makers Development Program today graduated its first cohort of young Emirati hope makers, with COVID-19 serving as a live technical training and direct field experience in humanitarian, community, and relief work. The global pandemic, with all its health, social, and economic repercussions, served as a learning ground on how to swiftly develop innovative initiatives in response to crises, which reflects the objective of the Program.

Launched in February 2020, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Hope Makers Development Program is developed by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) in collaboration with Dubai Future Council for Humanitarian Work and Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development (MBRCLD).

Turning Point

In his address to the graduating class, His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary General of MBRGI, emphasized that the development of humanitarian work capabilities and advancing the skills of those that carry it out is more pressing today than ever before. Especially, as the world recovers from the multifaceted repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic.

His Excellency said: “We can make 2021 a turning point in the future of humanitarian work, through highlighting the corporate aspect of it and developing Emirati talent that is capable of leading it. This will advance the UAE’s key role in responding to global crises and contribute to the nation’s pioneering status in the field of humanitarian work. In turn, achieving the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to support and encourage ambassadors of optimism, giving, and solidarity, who truly believe that the future is better.”

Al Gergawi lauded the first graduating cohort of the Hope Makers Development Program and the momentum they achieved through their work supporting the nation’s initiatives in response to crises. He called on them to continue their role as ambassadors of innovation in effective humanitarian work.

The first graduation ceremony of the Program was attended by His Excellency Saeed Mohammad Al Eter, Chairman of UAE Government Media Office and Assistant Secretary General of MBRGI, Her Excellency Muna Al Kindi, CEO of MBRGI and Board member of Dubai Future Council for Humanitarian Work, and Abdulla Al Rumaithi, Manager of MBRCLD.

Ambitious Projects

The first graduating class of the Hope Makers Development Program, which merges academic education and intensive technical training, included 28 Emirati men and women who proposed 5 key projects that shape the future of humanitarian work and innovate new solutions in response to crises and challenges.

During the ceremony, the graduating class presented the 5 key projects. For the first project, the class developed a plan for an exclusive platform for training humanitarian workers through a series of general and specialized training programs. The second project was developing an information management system that allows data and best practices exchange between humanitarian and charitable institutions, with the aim of strengthening cross collaborations.

The third project focused on developing policies that govern social entrepreneurship to ensure an orderly legislative framework that facilitates the work of social entrepreneurs and highlights their positive impact on the society.

The fourth project explores boosting the public’s support for humanitarian work, through the development of a strategic breakdown of each initiative’s objectives and encouraging individuals to play an active role in the initiative.

The final project works to bolster the UAE’s status as a global hub for shaping the future of humanitarian work, through developing emerging community investment sectors and establishing a comprehensive ecosystem that attracts sector enthusiasts from around the world. 

Interactive Workshops

The Hope Makers Development Program was divided into two training phases – the first included a series of interactive workshops at the International Humanitarian City, which covered interesting topics such as humanitarian work amidst globalization, 21st century developments affecting humanitarian work, international organizations in humanitarian work, the role of media and the society, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the effect of innovation and technology on humanitarian work, as well as alliances among local communities, and development and execution of relief campaigns.

In the Field

The second phase of the Hope Makers Development Program, previously scheduled to be a trip abroad to support a community in need in a remote area, shifted to become an in-country trip to support the nation’s efforts in its response to the global health pandemic.

Program participants volunteered to support key initiatives that were launched in the UAE, headlined by the 10 Million Meals campaign that was launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, by his wife Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of UAE Food Bank.

They also supported the Dubai Health Authority call center staff in tracking COVID-19 cases, and the staff at the field hospital in Dubai.

Documentation

Dubai Media Incorporated documented the participants’ journey in the Hope Makers Development Program and will air its milestones, along with their inspiring stories, as a docuseries. The production will shed light on the challenges they faced and the obstacles they overcame to graduate as inspiring models of giving and social work.

In this occasion His Excellency Ahmed Al Mansoori - CEO of Radio and Television Sector at Dubai Media Incorporated, said: "Our participation in the program of Preparing Hope Makers stemmed from our confidence in the ingenuity of the people of the Emirates and their ability to highlight the characteristics of their citizenship who love a spectrum of charitable work. The program translates the wise leadership’s keenness to respect human values, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic that has afflicted all countries of the world.

-Ends-

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