In collaboration with its strategic partners, the Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi (DCD) organized a series of workshops regarding volunteering in the emirate.
The workshops were conducted in partnership with the Authority of Social Contribution - Ma'an, Emirates Red Crescent, and the Volunteer.ae Platform and was targeting non-profit organizations and places of worship for non-Muslims licensed in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The workshops aimed to raise awareness around volunteering in Abu Dhabi by highlighting the variety of services DCD offers for the volunteering community and clarifying the different types of licensing it issued in this regard. Moreover, the workshops clarify strategic partners' roles with regard to volunteering work besides exploring areas of improvement, opportunities and challenges faces by volunteers.
Mahasen Al Hosani, Director of the Licensing Department at DCD, said: “The department is deeply committed to raising awareness among individuals and institutions regarding the significance of social solidarity. We aim to unify efforts in creating a robust social system that prioritizes volunteering and understands its pivotal role in fostering societal cohesion. This goal is achieved by cultivating values such as goodwill and humanitarianism, embodying the core principles of our society rooted in community, compassion, and helping those in need."
Al Hosani praised the productive collaboration with DCD’s partners in organizing the volunteering workshops, with the objective of engaging a broader segment of society. This joint effort sought to advance the goals of the DCD by strengthening the culture of volunteerism as a cornerstone of Abu Dhabi society.
Furthermore, the workshops actively promoted community participation in volunteering, emphasizing the importance of fostering inclusive and diverse volunteering initiatives across the emirate. Additionally, they endeavored to create a safe environment for volunteering, define local regulations governing these efforts, and play a key role in positioning Abu Dhabi's volunteering framework as a model at both regional and global levels
Workshop Objectives
The workshops strive to develop an efficient and impactful volunteering environment in Abu Dhabi by cultivating a volunteering culture, and enhancing social cohesion and unity, while adhering to established professional standards. Their primary objective is to tackle the challenges encountered within the volunteering system, while also fostering greater collaboration and partnership among various entities.
The workshops help to clarify the rights and responsibilities of individuals, teams, and entities involving volunteers, motivating, supporting, and optimizing their capabilities. Central to the workshops’ purpose is the discussion of prevalent challenges and opportunities, the exchange of experiences among relevant entities, and the sharing of expertise in the field of volunteering.