Seminar helps companies to maximize their impact on the community and their business

Dubai, UAE: Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Centre for Responsible Business hosted its latest seminar to boost corporate social responsibility, called ‘Community Engagement and Employee Volunteering’, at its headquarters today.

Company representatives from all sectors attended the interactive seminar, which highlighted the positive impact that community engagement can have for businesses and the wider community.

Speakers included: Noha Hefny, Communication Manager- AMEA, Pepsico; Deanna Othman, General Manager, Premium Banking, Standard Chartered; Nancy Taussig, Associate Vice President, Save the Children; Rehan Uddin, Acting Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Affairs & Government Partnership Division and the Centre for Responsible Business.

Community engagement describes how companies manage their activities in the community and in turn create a positive impact for society and their business.

“Strategic community engagement can help companies make a maximum impact on the community by prioritizing initiatives that are most relevant to their core business strategy, products, services and stakeholders. In addition employee volunteering is a strategic tool to enhance the skills and motivation of staff members,” said Dr Belaid Rettab, Senior Director, Economic Research and Sustainable Business Development Sector, Dubai Chamber.

“Companies which encourage their staff to take part in volunteering programs will reap the rewards of a more energized, more focused and more positive workforce. Volunteering schemes also increase the spirit of initiative and a person’s sense of belonging in the community.

“The seminar provided an excellent opportunity for companies to find out more about how community engagement works and the tools that can be used to make the most out of community initiatives and volunteering schemes. Participants also learned how to start their own volunteering schemes, what the benefits are based on real case studies, and met representatives of leading companies, who are already involved in schemes, and swapped tips and best practice,” Dr Belaid added.

Corporate volunteers from the ENGAGE Dubai program were also honored in a special ceremony during the seminar. The recognition ceremony highlighted the work done by 315 volunteers from 26 companies who directly impacted 2,100 people through their involvement in community projects.

ENGAGE Dubai is the regions oldest and most respected employee volunteering program, which is run by Dubai Chamber’s Centre for Responsible Business in conjunction with Business in the Community UK. It illustrates best practice in the field of corporate community involvement in Dubai by linking companies to local community partners and NGO’s.

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