The Middle East Philanthropy Awards 2013 took place in Abu Dhabi, an event held to recognise individuals and foundations from across the Middle East who have made a significant societal impact through both cultural and philanthropic involvement. Award recipients included The Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahayan Charitable & Humanitarian Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the King Hussein Cancer Foundation.

“It is very important that we are acknowledging the efforts behind philanthropy in this region, and its effects within the Arab World into a key motivation for corporations to not only support, but positively shape the future of its societies.” commented Badr Jafar, Chief Executive Officer of Crescent Enterprises and Managing Director of Crescent Group who was awarded the ‘Philanthropist of the Year’ award. “We are all in a very unique position today, where businesses can do good, while doing well at the same time, which is why we here are all committed and invested in improving the life of the communities we serve and in which we operate,” Jafar added.

During yesterday’s ceremony, award recipients were acknowledged for their vital commitment and continued efforts in placing society at the heart of their activities and their roles in the non-profit and charity sectors. The importance of raising awareness of philanthropic activities in the Middle East region was also highlighted as being important to encourage best practices, especially in relation to accountability and transparency of these activities. “With over 1 trillion dollars of Zakat and Sadaqa distributed across the Muslim World every single year, according to UN estimates, it is extremely important that we continue to develop the organisation governance structures to ensure that these funds generate the maximum positive impact,” Jafar continued.

Jafar founded the Pearl Initiative in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnership, to serve as the leading independent, not-for-profit initiative working to improve corporate accountability and transparency across the Gulf region, principles which have transitioned into the charity and not-profit realms of the Middle East as well. Since its inception in 2010, the Pearl Initiative has partnered with 61 companies and non-profits across the GCC region and engaged over 1000 CEOs.

“Strong governance enables all organisations, whether profit or not-for-profit, to respond effectively and quickly to emerging risks and therefore greatly increasing their chances to effectively deliver the prescribed objectives. It is with this understanding that the fundamental governance principles must all be weaved, as a premise, through every aspect of an organisation; its people, culture and its public face. After all, good governance in any organisation is not just about regulatory box-ticking, rather it is at the heart of what makes them successful and sustainable.”

The Middle East Philanthropy Awards was held on the evening of the Middle East Family Office and Investment Conference in Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, and was organised by Campden Conferences which is a leader in delivering private, exclusive family business meetings and delivering programmes to meet the needs of managers, non-active shareholders and senior executives from privately owned, multi-generational family businesses across the globe.
 

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