Quote by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA for the UAE Pioneers Awards

In (the category of Best Local Initiative to Encourage Reading as part of Corporate Social Responsibility)

Dubai, UAE, 28 November 2016:

“We are proud to be honoured by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the UAE Pioneers Awards 2016, which recognises Emirati pioneers and distinguished organisations taking part in the Year of Reading, in the National Initiative–Corporate Social Responsibility category. This crowns DEWA’s efforts in supporting reading in the UAE. DEWA’s vision is inspired by the directives of the wise leadership, represented by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE who declared 2016 as the year of reading, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who dedicated this year’s edition of the UAE Pioneers Awards in the 45th UAE National Day, to 45 individuals, and local and federal organisations that have played a role in promoting reading in the Year of Reading. DEWA has implemented the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to encourage reading and change the social culture, and consolidate the UAE’s position as the capital for content, culture, and knowledge.

Honouring DEWA at the UAE Pioneers Awards is especially important as it recognises our ongoing efforts to raise a cultured generation who are interested in knowledge and sciences. As part of our corporate social responsibility, DEWA works closely with many public and private organisations to support and organise cultural activities. We open our libraries for students to instil the love of reading among the young generation. DEWA organises a number of activities as part of the Reading is Positive Energy exhibition. DEWA launched the exhibition in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation at Zabeel Park. The exhibition hosted a Youth Circle, which witnessed the participation of HE Shamma Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Youth Affairs. The Reading Tent hosts novelists, poets and scholars. The exhibition features different cultural and knowledge corners and sections. These include a permanent book exhibition that allocates a full month for Emirati publishers and hosts Arab and global publishers. It will also organise an exhibition for used books, and an exhibition for rare books. The Reading is Positive Energy Forum provides an open space for organisations and schools to take part in activities that raise the level of reading and enhance reading in society. It also features cultural activities including training workshops and knowledge competitions. A total of 268 activities were organised in the exhibition from 17 May until end of October 2016. Around 18,500 persons participated in these events.

We pledge to continue our efforts to transform the UAE into an international hub for culture and knowledge, we work to build a knowledge based community through initiatives, and to provide a national comprehensive programme, to develop a generation of Emiratis that take pride in reading and knowledge. This adheres to our Corporate Social Responsibility to build a knowledge-based community.

-Ends-

For more information, please contact: 
Ribal Dayekh or Iman Saeed     
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority     
+971 4 515 1784  
ribal.dayekh@dewa.gov.ae   
iman.saeed@dewa.gov.ae           

Jessy Chami or Rawad Khattar
Orient Planet PR
+971 4 456 2888 or 055-8257576
jessy@orientplanet.com
rawad@orientplanet.com

© Press Release 2016