Tag:

social

Tamkeen Partners with Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF)

by Madaline Dunn 1 year ago

written by Madaline Dunn

The Labour Fund (Tamkeen) has announced the signing of a partnership agreement with the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) to train and develop national talent in the financial services sector and other related sectors.

Set to support over 100 Bahrainis, the initiative will see professionals obtain specialised certificates related to value-added tax (VAT) and anti-money laundering.

Specifically, the initiative offers participants the opportunity to obtain the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) certificate, the highest international professional certificate in this field offered by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS).

Graduates of the program will receive a one-year membership in the association in addition to an internationally accredited certificate as anti-money laundering specialists.

Through the initiative, participants will also have the opportunity to study the Bahrain VAT Compliance Diploma offered by the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) in the UK.

Commenting on this announcement, Her Excellency Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, Chief Executive of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), commented: “This partnership with the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) stems from our continuous efforts to build effective partnerships with the relevant institutions in Bahrain, and affirms our commitment to supporting career development and enhancing skills for the Bahraini workforce through internationally accredited certificates and high-quality programs, enabling them to achieve growth and success.

“We look forward to the outcomes of these programs and the impact they will have on the Bahraini labor market, especially the financial services sector.”

Dr. Ahmed Abdul Hameed Al-Shaikh, CEO of the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF), added: “We are proud of this partnership with the Tamkeen, which is in line with our commitment to provide high-quality training services with international standards for Bahrainis. By providing international certificates in the fields of anti-money laundering and VAT compliance, we seek to enhance Bahraini competencies in the banking and finance sector and enable them to achieve excellence and success in this field.”

1 year ago 0 comments

Deloitte: The Important Role of Leaders in Advancing Human Sustainability Report

by Madaline Dunn 1 year ago

written by Madaline Dunn

Deloitte has released its ‘The important role of leaders in advancing human sustainability’ report, based on a survey conducted by Deloitte and Workplace Intelligence in February and March 2024 of 3,150 employees, managers and C-level executives across the US, U.K., Canada and Australia.

The report revealed a gap between leaders’ and workers’ perceptions of workplace treatment and human sustainability.

For example, while 82 per cent of executives believe their company is advancing human sustainability, just 56 per cent of workers agree.

Likewise, while 90 per cent of executives were found to believe that working for their company has a positive effect on worker well-being, skills development, career advancement, inclusion and belonging, and their sense of purpose and meaning, far fewer employees agreed. In fact, the figure stood at just 60 per cent.

Indeed, only around one out of three workers said that their physical (34 per cent), mental (32 per cent), financial (35 per cent), and social (31 per cent) well-being improved last year.

In contrast, at least seven out of 10 executives believed these well-being dimensions improved for their people, and around three out of four leaders would characterise their workers’ well-being as “excellent” or “good.”

Seven in ten workers said that if their organisation increased its commitment to human sustainability, this would improve their overall experience at work (72 per cent) and increase their engagement and job satisfaction (71 per cent), productivity (70 per cent), desire to stay with their company long-term (70 per cent) and trust in their company’s leadership (69 per cent).

Over half of workers (52%) said that paying them fairly would go a long way toward improving their well-being.

The report also found that 82 per cent of executives say companies should be required to publicly report their human sustainability metrics.

However, nearly as many (81 per cent) admitted that their own organisation isn’t doing enough when it comes to making public commitments around human issues.

Around a third (32 per cent) of these leaders say this is because the goals they could realistically accomplish are trivial, and they’re embarrassed to make public commitments around them.

Thirty per cent, meanwhile, are awaiting government guidance or frameworks to guide them, and 22 per cent don’t want their company’s reputation to suffer if they don’t achieve these goals.

In contrast, eighty-eight per cent would like their compensation to be tied to human sustainability metrics.

Nearly half (47 per cent) would like at least 75 per cent of their compensation to be linked to these metrics, while 61 per cent of the C-suite say they’d accept a pay cut to work for a company that is advancing human sustainability.

For the full report, head here.

1 year ago 0 comments

Latest News Social

BEEAH & The Big Heart Foundation Form Partnership for Humanitarian Efforts

by Madaline Dunn 1 year ago

written by Madaline Dunn

BEEAH has formed a strategic partnership with The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF) to collaborate on awareness and fundraising campaigns that support TBHF’s regional and international human welfare initiatives.

The two parties shared that the agreement will drive social impact, support underprivileged families, children, and communities, and is part of an ongoing collaboration.

It was shared that so far, the Big Heart Foundation’s efforts have reached more than five million beneficiaries in 33 countries across key sectors, including healthcare, education and infrastructure development.

The agreement will see BEEAH support TBHF by organising and implementing fundraising activities for these initiatives and many others.

It will also provide resources for event activations aimed at driving community engagement and participation in these pivotal causes, such as access to its headquarters to conduct fundraising events and workshops.

BEEAH will also continue its sponsorship of TBHF’s projects, it shared.

Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO & Vice Chairman of BEEAH, commented: “The Big Heart Foundation has been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts and has had an incredible impact on disadvantaged communities, families, and children. BEEAH has been proud to maintain a long and fruitful relationship with TBHF to aid their philanthropic initiatives. With this new partnership, we hope to provide our unyielding support to bolster TBHF’s pivotal humanitarian efforts globally. As an organisation from Sharjah, committed to creating a more secure and sustainable future for all, we are proud to align with the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, and deliver on our social responsibility, while fostering positive change and empowering the underprivileged with the tools they need to survive and succeed.”

As part of the new partnership agreement, BEEAH will be working closely with The Big Heart Foundation’s The Big Heart Educational Center (TBHEC) to conduct workshops on environmental sustainability for students, in addition to providing internship and employment opportunities to facilitate personal and professional development.

TBHF will also be given the opportunity to select and enrol a candidate in BEEAH’s Future Leadership Programme.

BEEAH employees will be encouraged to participate in TBHF initiatives and volunteer for their projects in the UAE and abroad, the company shared.

1 year ago 0 comments

Latest News Social

Dubai to Host the GCC’s First-Ever Menopause Summit

by Madaline Dunn 1 year ago

written by Madaline Dunn

Dubai is set to host the GCC’s first-ever Menopause Summit on October 18 2024. The event is set to gather regional and international experts to spotlight perimenopause and menopause.

Held at the Museum of the Future, the Summit will convene clinicians, healthcare practitioners, legal, HR, and fitness experts, business leaders, facilitators, and advocates to share the latest data and expertise in the field across panel discussions, Q&As, and networking breakouts.

The event organisers shared that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are over 470 million people globally currently experiencing menopause. Twenty-five per cent of those individuals experience severe symptoms that significantly impact their daily lives.

“It is time to break the taboo,” commented Sharon James, a women’s wellness coach, menopause educator and co-founder of the Summit.

“For so many years, women have suffered this in silence and things are finally changing. This isn’t a Middle East or GCC problem, it’s something facing women globally and we hope that the more we talk about this, the more women feel heard and seen. Many women cannot function during this time, with sleepless nights and symptoms extending through their entire life, and they need somewhere to turn. We think this is the beginning of that turning point.”

Menopause affects everyone differently but can present challenging physical and psychological symptoms. James noted that the loneliness women go through during this time can be “as debilitating” as the physical symptoms and emphasised the importance of talking about it more openly, building community, and creating a safe space.

Education was also highlighted as essential. Indeed, a recent survey of 254 physicians from the Middle East showed that just 28.8 per cent correctly identified the diagnostic criteria of menopause.

Further, despite 66.2 per cent agreeing that training is critical, 43 per cent claimed to have only had occasional training on menopause, and 19 per cent admitted they had none.

Sophie Smith, Founder of Nabta Health and co-founder of the Summit, said: “Over 80% of women globally feel unprepared for the physical and emotional changes brought on by perimenopause. With the average woman spending over a third of her life post-menopause, it’s critical that we destigmatise this natural transition and provide proper education and support resources.”

Adding: “This event is a hugely positive signal to the healthcare system that menopause is an important issue, and women need to be heard. For both the medical profession and women in the community, having something like this to bring people together is a major turning point in making the menopause visible. It’s a very exciting event to be part of and be involved with something so potentially impactful.”

1 year ago 0 comments

Latest News Social

UAE-Based Mental Health Platform mentl Partners with Dr Brendon Stubbs

by Madaline Dunn 1 year ago

written by Madaline Dunn

UAE-based mental health consultancy advocacy platform mentl has announced that it is expanding its offering to the private sector across the Gulf, with the help of Dr Brendon Stubbs, a visiting professor at the University of Vienna and senior researcher at King’s College London.

It was shared that Dr Stubbs has advised the World Health Organization, NHS England, Public Health England, and multiple public and private organisations on policy and practice, carrying out major research projects in partnership with global sports brand Asics.

It was shared that Dr Stubbs’ primary focus will be supporting on:

Evidence-based evaluation of employee wellbeing,
Recommendations & implementing well-being programs, and
Evaluation of existing well-being programs.

Speaking on the partnership, Scott Armstrong, Founder of mentl, said: “As mental health awareness month reminds us of the importance of well-being, I’m delighted that Dr Stubbs is bringing his globally-renowned experience to support our conversations with companies across the Gulf.

“This is an exciting month for mentl as we unveil an expansion of our mission, not only to foster more open conversations and tackle the stigma of mental health, but also to help directly, blending our services with leading partners to make a real difference inside companies. We’ll be announcing a raft of new initiatives and alliances in the coming months.”

Dr Stubbs will also serve as a judge in this year’s ‘mentl Awards 2024,’ which, this year, is open to entries from across the GCC and the wider Middle East.

Dr Stubbs commented: “This exciting partnership is a testament to the growing importance of mental health advocacy in the region. I love mentl’s mission to open up conversations and believe, as mentl does, that together we thrive.”

1 year ago 0 comments

Latest News Social

KFAED Receives the Abdlatif Al-Hamad Development Award

by Madaline Dunn 1 year ago

written by Madaline Dunn

The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has announced that it has been awarded the Abdlatif Yousef Al-Hamad Development Award for the best development project in the Arab world.

The award spotlights successful development projects that have addressed existing problems and contributed to enhancing economic and social capacities in the Arab world. The first edition of the award was launched in 2022.

KFAED’s award was presented by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development during the 2024 Annual Joint Meetings of Arab Financial Institutions held in Cairo.

Waleed Shamlan Al-Bahar, Acting Director General of the Kuwait Fund, commented: “Receiving the Abdlatif Yousef Al-Hamad Development Award for the Bahr Al-Baqar project not only reflects the success of the Kuwait Fund in its developmental efforts in the Arab region but also represents a celebration of the collective efforts of Arab development and financial institutions that have contributed to changing the lives of millions of people in the Arab world and beyond.”

Al-Bahar said that its development efforts are “far from over,” as developing countries still need the support of the international community to achieve their developmental ambitions.

“Furthermore, the environment still requires our care, innovation, and commitment to leave a legacy that will inspire future generations,” said Al-Bahar.

Al-Bahar also highlighted the achievements of Abdlatif Yousef Al-Hamad in the field of development work and the role he played in establishing the foundations of Arab joint collaboration over the past six decades in the field of economic and social development at the regional and international levels.

According to Al-Bahar, these contributions enhanced Kuwait’s international standing as “one of the most significant supporters of development” through the provision of developmental and emergency relief assistance to Arab and other developing countries.

1 year ago 0 comments

Latest News Social

PureHealth launches mental health services platform Sakina

by Madaline Dunn 1 year ago

written by Madaline Dunn

PureHealth, the largest healthcare platform in the Middle East, has announced the launch of Sakina, a mental health services platform.

Sakina offers a wide array of services, including outpatient mental health hubs, neurodiversity centres, inpatient institutes, specialised satellite clinics, and home care.

It was shared that these services will enable customisation of specialised psychiatry services for diverse populations, from initial screening and early intervention to the complete rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals.

The secondary and tertiary care services will be offered to assist at-risk populations, including the elderly, children, people of determination, women’s mental health, and those struggling with addiction and eating disorders.

Sakina will also be offered through digital companion Pura, PureHealth’s comprehensive, personalised AI-enabled longevity app, tailored to offer curated care and support, monitoring and tracking, as well as tertiary care provision. This includes a full spectrum of psychiatry services for addicts, geriatrics, people of determination, and children.

Dr Zain Al Yafai, CEO of Sakina, explained that Sakina’s purpose is to make holistic mental healthcare “accessible at all levels” within the UAE.

“By harnessing SEHA’s comprehensive network of clinics and hospitals and cutting-edge digital technologies, providing a spectrum of inpatient and outpatient services from home care and therapies to catering to those with additional needs, Sakina has adopted a model of mental healthcare delivery that is embedded in the communities and that substantively supports all individuals, including the most vulnerable, in their pursuit of care that can meet them wherever they are—at home, on the move, and right in their communities.”

The Sakina network will be supported by 34 satellite clinics, two mental health hubs, two specialised neurodiversity centres, and nine integrated clinics.

Sakina will also staff over 500 clinical professionals, including physicians, allied health staff, and Sakina-trained nurses, along with 77 administrative support staff.

Psychiatric assistance and resources will be accessible through a tiered care approach, focusing on children and adolescents between 0 to 10 and 10 and 18, respectively, and adults (including seniors) across the life span of all mental health concerns.

Shaista Asif, Group Chief Executive Officer at PureHealth, said: “Mental health is not only an essential facet of community, it is a major component of non-communicable diseases and is a key factor affecting life expectancy, which is why at PureHealth, in line with our vision of longevity, we are focusing on giving equal, if not more, importance to taking care of our mental well-being alongside our physical well-being.

“The mind is one frontier which is still largely undiscovered and is a critical part of a holistic approach to social health and happiness. Therefore, a focused approach in bringing the best-in-class care in this field will ensure we as a nation promote a society where mental well-being is at the core of our population. We recognise the importance of nurturing a robust and all-encompassing healthcare systems that caters to the holistic needs of our community, which includes mental health services and as such, Sakina will offer consultation liaison to bridge the gap between mental health and physical health.”

1 year ago 0 comments

Latest News Social

Ma’an Allocates AED 91M in Contributions to Support Social Projects in 2023

by Madaline Dunn 1 year ago

written by Madaline Dunn

The Authority of Social Contribution—Ma’an, which enables communities and corporations to support social projects, shared that in the last year, it launched 57 projects across the social, health, environment, infrastructure, and education sectors, teaming up with various partners, including the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Abu Dhabi City Municipality, Family Care Authority, and Al Noor Centre.

His Excellency Dr. Mughir Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development, shared that a total of AED 91M was directed towards projects addressing social priorities.

“Individuals have always been our paramount focus and our nation’s true wealth. Today, we celebrate the impact achieved on the community of Abu Dhabi through the social contributions received by the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, the Government of Abu Dhabi’s official channel to receive social contributions.”

Ma’an shared that this money reached 161,059 people. Of the AED 91M, AED 41.1M was directed towards the social sector through 28 projects, while AED 28.05M was allocated to the health sector, supporting 12 projects aimed towards social healthcare services.

The education sector received AED 9.3M divided across ten projects, and AED 12.7M was allocated to the environment and infrastructure sector to support seven projects focused on sustainable development, protecting the environment and improving infrastructure to enhance the quality of life for residents.

Ma’an noted that it successfully raised funds through ATM & ADPAY, totalling AED 1.8M, which was effectively distributed across 7 different project and benefiting various community groups including; People of Determination, senior citizens, students, patients and orphans, amongst others.

1 year ago 0 comments

Newer Posts

Older Posts