In the latest episode of The Business of Philanthropy, Badr Jafar, Emirati philanthropist and Founding Patron of the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy at the University of Cambridge, speaks with H.E. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Chairman of Mashreq Bank, Founder of the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, and Chairman of the Abdullah Al Ghurair Foundation for Education.

The pair discuss the role business leaders can play to address the region’s social and economic challenges, and the changing nature of philanthropy in the Gulf and the Middle East.

‘Our culture… has this deep-rooted philosophy of giving,’ said H.E. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair in their conversation. ‘Now, historically most organisations and individuals and people who are giving this and believing it should be done on the private side, on the quiet side, so you know, without big announcement or communication. So times have changed, and now I think philanthropy in the region and the Arab world has to change according to the changes that we are seeing.’

Listen to the full conversation below.