A gathering of philanthropy representatives in the United Arab Emirates last month explored collaboration and impact across the private and public sectors.

From left to right: Ranya Saadawi, Dr Natasha Ridge, and Bathylle Missika at the Pearl Initiative gathering in the UAE. Photo courtesy of the Pearl Initiative

Convened by the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, OECD netFWD, and the Pearl Initiative, the event in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, pushed attendees to consider cooperation between humanitarian institutions, regional policymakers, business and individual donors, and the development community.

The event commenced with an insightful address on the potential of Artificial Intelligence to exponentially amplify impact by Dr Giuseppe Ugazio, the Rothchild Assistant Professor in Behavioural Philanthropy at the University of Geneva Finance Research Institute.

Following the presentation, a panel discussion took place focused on building philanthropic communities in the Middle East and North Africa region. During the panel, H.E. Huda Alkhamis Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, Founder and Artistic Director of the Abu Dhabi Festival, Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises and Founder of the Pearl Initiative and Hana Shahin, Executive Director of King Hussein Foundation discussed ways to build stronger collaboration in support of philanthropic efforts in the region.

‘It was a pleasure co-hosting this convening and collaborating with deeply committed cross-sectoral industry leaders. This event is the first step towards collectively moving the needle on regional philanthropic impact and encapsulating the core elements of strategic philanthropy such as data-driven approaches, community engagement, and robust governance,’ said Ranya Saadawi, Executive Director of the Pearl Initiative.