Initiatives
Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares

Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

Our Vision and Guiding Principles

Our Vision: To break the cycle of poverty by ensuring all children have access to quality primary education.

Dubai Cares affirms and promotes seven fundamental principles:

• (1) Leading global efforts in ensuring children’s access to quality primary education in developing countries regardless of their gender, ethnicity or religion

• (2) Recognizing education as the best long-term solution to global poverty

• (3) Comprehensive in scope, the philanthropic organization’s primary education programs integrate four key components: School Infrastructure; School Health & Nutrition; Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) in Schools; and Quality of Education.

• (4) Approaching programs with an innovative entrepreneurial spirit

• (5) Actively engaging with international aid and development agencies to implement comprehensive development programs that promote an integrated approach towards education and ensure long-term and sustainable impact

• (7) Mobilizing the UAE’s corporate, business and social communities toward proactive global citizenship

Working towards achieving, by 2015, the United Nations Millennium Development (UNMDG) Goals 2 and 3 of guaranteeing universal primary education and promoting gender equality, respectively. Dubai Cares is also helping forge a global partnership for development, as indicated by UN MDG 8.

Tariq Al Gurg is the Chief Executive Officer

CEO's Message

If you are able to read this, it means that you have had the chance to go to school where you learnt to read and write. It also means in all likelihood that you have had the chance to learn social interaction through creative play; another skill we develop during our primary years that helps determine the adults we become.

However, for 124 million children and young adolescents in developing countries around the world who do not go to school, primary and lower secondary education is a distant dream. The problem widens when we consider that 250 million children worldwide cannot read, write or count adequately, including those with four years of education.

In September 2007, our founder His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, wanted to give hope to impoverished children in developing communities by providing them with access to quality education regardless of their gender, nationality, race or religion. That is when he established Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. Since then, Dubai Cares has become a strong philanthropic voice of the United Arab Emirates globally.

We at Dubai Cares strongly believe that education is not only an essential right of every child, but also an irrevocable asset. Education is a critical factor in every child's physical, social and intellectual development.

It is our vision to see that every child, in every corner of the globe, has access to quality education. Our mission is realized through integrated programs that eliminate the underlying obstacles that prevent children from receiving quality education. This is achieved through building and renovating schools and classrooms, improving water, sanitation and hygiene in schools, providing school feeding, school-based deworming activities, early childhood education, as well as teacher training, curriculum development, literacy and numeracy, education in emergencies, promoting children's transition from primary to lower secondary education as well as investing in evidence-based programming and action research.

Gender equality is a cross cutting theme in all Dubai Cares' education programs with an approach that aims to secure equal access for boys and girls to safe learning environments with adequate facilities, materials and academic support from gender sensitized teachers and communities. The organization strives to provide equal opportunities for girls and boys by improving the quality, relevance and gender sensitivity of teaching and learning.

As we continue with our mission, we will remember 2015 as the year the world witnessed one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern memory. Rough estimates predict that there are 19.5 million refugees globally displaced through natural and man-made disasters, out of whom at least 50% are children. Moreover, there are a staggering 37 million children and adolescents worldwide that have been forced out of education by war.

Depriving children of their right to schooling will not only affect their future prospects, but also result in an entire generation of unskilled and uneducated adults, unprepared for rebuilding conflict-ravaged communities and continuing the fight against poverty.

In our efforts to counter this crisis, we joined United Nations representatives and other relevant agencies in New York during September 2015 to discuss the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the next 15 years. We also co-hosted an event titled 'Education: A Lifeline, Not a Luxury' on the sidelines of the week of the 70th United Nations General Assembly in New York where we discussed the importance of education in crisis areas. During the event, I announced that Dubai Cares will be championing education in emergencies in order to address the critical need to provide quality education to children affected by crisis. Alongside our international partners and through the power of education, we hope to reduce the negative impact these emergencies are having on displaced children, enabling them to reimagine a safer and more prosperous future.

In these testing times, it is thanks to the generosity and solidarity of the people of the UAE, as well as our partners and supporters locally and globally, that we have been able to reach 14 million beneficiaries in 41 developing countries around the world. The challenge remains as great as it has ever been, as the necessity for us to come together as a single global voice to save our children from a lifetime of disadvantage and poverty grows stronger and more critical.

Dubai Cares will continue to work without hesitation to reach the world's most vulnerable children in rural and deprived areas. Through our initiatives and with the help of our dedicated partners, we will realize the hopes of entire communities by educating and inspiring children to build prosperous and fulfilling futures.

Dubai Cares ... Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Dubai Cares’ is led by a Board of Directors, composed of nine members and its Chairperson, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State. Tariq Al Gurg is the Chief Executive Officer.

H.E. Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimy Chairperson U.A.E. Minister of State

In February 2016, she was appointed as Minister of State for International Cooperation. Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy joined the Federal Government in 2008 as Minister of State and had a vital role in dealing with a number of foreign and vibrant issues of the UAE such as the UAE's bid to host the World Expo 2020 in Dubai, where she holds the position Director General and board representative on the higher committee of the EXPO 2020 Dubai, in preparations for this mega-event. '

Since Her Excellency appointment, H.E. AlHashimy manages the International Affairs Office of the UAE Prime Minister, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Additionally, she holds responsibility within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the UAE’s bilateral relations with India, Pakistan, Sub-Saharan African countries and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Her Excellency is also the chairperson of The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, its mission is to strengthen and enhance UAE’s national data and competitiveness capacities.

Her Excellency also serves as chairperson of Dubai Cares, a philanthropic organization that aims to improve access to primary education in developing countries.

H.E. Reem Al Hashimy has extensive experience in international affairs and started her career as Commercial Attaché and, subsequently, went on to become Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, D.C. Her H.E. Al Hashimy Excellency completed her undergraduate studies at Tufts University, Massachusetts in 1999, where she earned Bachelors of Arts degrees majoring in international relations and French. H.E. Al Hashimy also holds a Master's degree from Harvard University in 2002.

Dr. Maryam Mohammed Mattar Deputy Chairperson Former Director General, Community Development Authority

H.E. Dr. Maryam Matar is the former Director General of the Community Development Authority (CDA), which undertakes to formulate social policies and deliver social services that are in line with and contribute to the achievement of the social development objectives of Dubai Strategic Plan 2007 – 2015, launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on February 3rd, 2007. In 2005, Dr. Matar was the leader of the executive team that set up social development strategies for Dubai Strategic Plan.

Born in 1975, Dr. Matar holds a B.A. in Medicine and Surgery (1993-1998) and a degree from the Family Medicine Residency Program with distinction. She is also a graduate of the H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Program for Leadership Development with distinction, second batch (2003-2004).

Furthermore, Dr. Matar is the founder and Executive Director of two non-profit civil associations, “UAE Down’s Syndrome Association” and “UAE Genetic Diseases Association”, which support families from 17 different nationalities. In addition, she has initiated several national community outreach programs such as “UAE Free of Thalassemia by 2012” and established a number of Wellness Centers in Higher Colleges of Technology and Dubai Ladies Club.

Before joining CDA, Dr. Matar was the first Emirati woman to bear the title of Undersecretary to the Minister of Health in 2006, designing blueprints for Public Health and Primary Health Care for year 2011. Moreover, she launched a number of initiatives to deliver Primary Health Care (PHC) services in the Northern Emirates and increase the number of PHC centers from 52 to 97.

From 1990 to 2005, Dr. Matarhas received many awards on a yearly basis, including the H.H. Sheikh Rashid “Academic Excellence” Award in the Faculty of Medicine (1999); “Best Healthcare Project” Award among all UAE Higher Colleges of Technology (2002);“Distinguished Employee” Award from Dubai Government Excellence Program in the Department of Health and Medical Services (2003);“Best Community Project” Award from the H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Program for Leadership Development (2004) and Emirates Businesswomen Award for “Professional Excellence” (2004).

Dr. Matar also assumed the position of Head of Community Studies and Programs Section, Primary Health Care – DOHMS, besides being the Executive Director of UAE Free of Thalassemia Project and the Medical Advisor for the Treatment Abroad Advisory Committee (Customs and Free Zone Corporation).

Today, Dr. Matar holds several posts including Executive Director of UAE Genetic Diseases Association, Deputy Chairperson of Dubai Cares and a Board Member of the Marriage Fund, Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, Dubai Women Establishment, Damas International Limited and the Canadian University of Dubai.

Ahmed Bin Shabib Director Founder, Brownbook Magazine Ahmed Bin Shabib is the co-founder of Brownbook Magazine, a publication highlighting the values and subjects relevant to the greater Middle East. Brownbook is a leading publication about the Middle East in the world. Ahmed is also the founder of Shelter, a grassroots community space that incubates ideas. These ideas are in the form of start-up businesses, cultural and humanitarian events and dialogues. Today, Shelter houses over 42 businesses and has become a meeting point for both entrepreneurs and thinkers. Ahmed studied at Suffolk University, Boston (USA) and the American College in London. He holds a bachelor in management and is a regular speaker and participant at educational institutions with a focus on entrepreneurship. Read less

Fahad Abdel Aziz Al Bannai Director Vice President, Axiom Telecom In December 2004, Fahad Al Bannai joined Axiom Telecom as a Board Member and Senior Vice President where he is responsible for developing the distribution channel and telecom operator business. Since joining Axiom, Al Bannai has played an instrumental role in doubling the company’s sales figures and in successfully establishing new companies in the Gulf, Egypt and India. Prior to joining Axiom Telecom, Al Bannai served as the Deputy Head of the Financial and Economic Crimes Department in Dubai Police. In his 5 years of service, he was responsible for investigating financial crimes and money laundry cases for which he received numerous recognition certificates from local and international bodies. Al Bannai received his bachelor degree in Business Administration in 1997, and his masters degree in International Commerce in 1999 from Boston University. Read less

Frederic Sicre Director Managing Director, The Abraaj Group Frederic Sicre has over 20 years of experience in engaging the private sector on global issues, regional development agendas and community building. He spearheads the Abraaj Strategic Stakeholder Engagement Track (ASSET) at The Abraaj Group that works with leaders from all fields, including governments, private sector, media and culture. Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Sicre spent 16 years as Managing Director and Member of the Executive Board at the World Economic Forum where he first established the Forum's activities in Africa and the Middle East. Mr. Sicre was made responsible for the Center for Regional Strategies, with a particular focus on global growth markets and the Annual Meeting in Davos. He also acted as the Editor of South Africa at Ten, a book celebrating the first ten years of democracy in the country.Mr. Sicre is the Chairman of the Mustaqbali Foundation and serves on the board of Dubai Cares, Education for Employment and Junior Achievement's MENA Board. He is also a member of the United Nations Global Compact Business For Peace Steering Committee and a member of the World Presidents' Organization. Mr. Sicre holds an MBA from IMD, a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from Villanova University, Philadelphia and is a fellow of Stanford University. Read less

Hala Badri Director Executive Vice President Brand & Communications, du Hala Badri is responsible for providing the Brand & Communications Vision and Strategic Direction for the benefit of all company stakeholders overseeing du’s overall communications strategy, implementing various corporate communication initiatives. She is also responsible for leading, resourcing and directing the services of the corporate communications department to ensure effective management of people and resources in compliance with corporate policies and standards, sound business planning and performance management processes. Under her guidance the corporate communications team has won many laurels: Second place in the New Brand Launch category at the GMR Effectiveness in Marketing Awards 2007, held on 22 February 2007du declared ‘Best Brand’ at Telecoms World Awards Middle East 2007 for innovative branding and outstanding brand success on Monday 19th November 2007Silver Award for the best website in the ICT category at the UAE Web Awards 2007 du WoW TV Commercial awarded amongst the best 50 TV commercials in mobile telecom category in the world for 2007 by Extreme TV du corporate brand launch campaign awarded a Cristal MENA award February 2008 du Ramadan Tent 2007 wins Best Cultural Event in the Middle East Prior to du, Badri was the Corporate Communications Manager - Group Brand Management Department - for Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) from 1998 to 2005. In this role she was responsible for sponsorship, exhibition and conference management, corporate communications and website development. An enterprising UAE national, Badri holds an MBA in Managing E-business from Zayed University and a Higher Diploma in Communication Technology from the Dubai Women's College. She is also a two-time winner of the Sheikh Rashid Awards for Scientific Excellence. Read less

Huraiz Al Mur Bin Huraiz Director Chief Commercial Officer, Abu Dhabi Airports Company Huraiz joined Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) in September 2009 as the Chief Commercial Officer. Brought on board to help direct and drive the growing commercialization agenda at ADAC, Huraiz is responsible for building momentum, optimizing returns and delivering on the policy agenda of the Government of Abu Dhabi. In addition, he oversees all aspects of commercial development including cargo, airport services, property and business developments, as well as retail, in-flight catering and advertising business. An MBA graduate in marketing from the American University in USA, Huraiz started his career with the erstwhile Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) in 1999 as the Manager of Press Relations and Communications in the Marketing and Corporate Communications Directorate. Apart from his managerial position, he also headed the ‘Dubai International Airport Cares’ Team, which plays a central role for enhancing customer service at the Airport. He was also appointed as Secretary General of the DCA and was named as the official spokesperson for the Department. After five successful years; Huraiz was appointed as the Director of the Commercial Directorate in September 2005. When Dubai Airports Company was created in 2007, Huraiz was appointed as the Vice President of the Commercial Unit. He also represented Dubai Airports as a Board Member for Emirates In-flight Catering, and seated in the Board of Dubai Cares and Dubai Rent Committee. Read less

Jameela Al Muhairi Director Chief of Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau, Knowledge and Human Development Authority Jameela Al Muhairi has spent her entire professional life working in the education sector in the United Arab Emirates, spending more than ten years studying quality assurance schemes around the world. A graduate in Management from the UAE University in Al Ain, Al Muhairi spent a number of years working with the Ministry of Education after which she held the position of Director for Dubai Knowledge Village. Al Muhairi joined the Knowledge and Human Development Authority upon its establishment in 2006 where she was a member of the Council responsible for advising on private education in Dubai. As a result of her experience with working alongside private schools in Dubai, Al Muhairi brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role of Chief, which she is employing across all schools in Dubai, public and private. Read less Mohammad Amin Al Emadi Director Board Member & Director General, Dubai Autism Center; Head of Executive Committee, Princess Haya Award for Special Education Mohammad Amin Al Emadi is a Board Member and Director General of Dubai Autism Center, a position he has held since 2005. His position with the Dubai Autism Center follows several positions at various government departments including: Board Member in Dubai Cares, Project Manager of the Dubai Cares Campaign (2007), Project Director in the Executive Office of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (1998 - 2005), Deputy Coordinator-General for Dubai Quality Award in the Department of Economic Development (1993 – 1998) and Administrative Assistant at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (1987 – 1993). About Us Our Story Our Vision and Guiding Principles Board of Directors CEO's Message Global Partnerships Programs Our Approach Where We Work Stories from the Field Partner with us Publications & Reports Useful Links Implementing Partners Get Involved Donate as an Individual Donate as an Organization Volunteer With Us Work With Us Supporting Partners Campaigns & Events 2015 Activities 2014 Activities 2013 Activities 2012 Activities 2011 Activities 2010 Activities 2009 Activities 2008 Activities Media Library News Releases Image Gallery Video Gallery FAQ