The Dubai Expat Diaries

“If we want to champion prosperity and progress, we cannot ignore poverty. We should therefore emphasize the role of education as the most powerful weapon in breaking the vicious circle of poverty” - H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

We’ve all been seeing the adverts and getting the Dubai Cares charity campaign sms messages on our phones - sure everyone in the UAE and particularly Dubai is now aware of the Dubai CARES campaign. According to the latest Gulf News report, the campaign has raised a spectacular amount of money already:

The mobilisation of more than $220 million (about Dh810 million) through Dubai’s charity initiative Dubai Cares has been described as a “brilliant success” by a spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Referring to the $1 million pledged by Dubai Cares to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), a spokesman for Ban Ki-moon said the contribution will cover a large part of the emergency educational needs of the children of Nahr Al Bared refugee camp in Lebanon.

Do you know about the Dubai CARES Campaign?

‘Dubai Cares’ was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to raise money to help educate 1 million children in poor countries. The campaign is Dubai’s contribution to the U.N. Millennium Development Goals for providing Children’s Primary Education to every child by 2015 and expresses the emirate’s will to play an effective role in securing a better tomorrow for future generations.

‘Dubai Cares’ believes in the millions of children living in poor countries around the world, their dreams, ambitions and hopes to make the world a better, safer place for all. Unfortunately, these children do not have access to education nor do they possess the knowledge to turn their dreams into reality. Without education and the knowledge it imparts, their dreams will never see light, and we will forever remain in the dark, never knowing what this child and his or her dream could have done.

‘Dubai Cares’ places its trust in education as an important factor in the stability of communities, societies and nations. It furthers economic development; promotes employment; enhances the development and application of skills relevant to employment; and contributes to sustainable development. Essentially, education is the basis of human development – it guarantees for us all a stable and prosperous future by creating the necessary conditions for youth to excel and to take their rightful positions as positive contributors in their societies. We recognize education as the best long-term solution to poverty alleviation in the developing world – educating children, especially girls, is the key to ending the global ‘cycle of poverty’.

‘Dubai Cares’ is an invitation to all to make a difference - let us come together and move towards the goal of educating 1 million children with one motion. ‘Dubai Cares’ is an opportunity for all of us – regardless of our race, religion or ethnic background – to bring together the different communities in Dubai’s multicultural landscape to support a common cause and contribute to a greater purpose.

We need your support. By giving to the campaign, we are drawing ourselves closer together, binding ourselves through a common cause and greater purpose – it reinforces our sense of belonging and, ultimately, our identity.

Dubai Cares

Hope for 1 million children

We Know:

We know that about that approximately 120 million children are still denied access to primary education. Of the children who do not attend school, 58% – more than half – are girls. This gender gap in education is a major obstacle in alleviating poverty.

We know that one in every three children in developing countries do not complete five years of primary education, the minimum required for achieving basic literacy.

We know that in order to meet the goal of universal primary education by the year 2015, nearly 180 million children need to find a place in school.

We Understand:
Dubai is a city that understands. It realizes the significance and power of education, and its ability to free children from poverty and its consequences. Education is the best long-term solution to poverty in the developing world. Time and time again, experts say that educating children, especially girls, is the key to ending the global ‘cycle of poverty.’

Without access to education, young people are more vulnerable to recruitment into armed groups and prostitution because they see no other possible way to advance themselves in the future.

Dubai is a global city; and we, as residents in Dubai, must therefore fulfill our roles as Global Citizens.

Note: Above overview taken from the official website - visit www.dubaicares.ae for more details and to find out how you can help!