DOHA: Qatar’s First International Social Responsibility Conference, an initiative of Al Faisal Social Responsibility Centre’ was opened yesterday by H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO, Qatar Foundation (QF); and Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman, AlFaisal Without Borders (ALF) Foundation, in the presence of Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada.
Promoted under the theme ‘Reality and Future Outlook’, the three-day event is being held at Qatar National Convention Centre.
Distinguished guests, ambassadors and a cross-section of audiences, including over 40 researchers representing 14 countries, attended the opening event.
“We believe that social responsibility is an essential human and national obligation.
“It has to be seen as one of the pillars of sustainable economic development. It is paramount that organisations in Qatar make concerted attempts to integrate social responsibility into corporate leadership.
“This would significantly change the dynamic of how we do business. Today, we are honoured to have the presence of H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani and we thank her for her continued support for our efforts to leverage the importance of social responsibility,” said Sheikh Faisal.
A highlight of the event was a presentation of a trophy to Sheikha Hind for her support and encouragement to social issues.
She is involved in the delivery of high-quality education in Qatar and has played an important role in launching and supporting national projects, including steps to provide ethical cultures in corporate affairs.
Social responsibility is close to her heart and she believes that business organisations have an obligation to the communities they operate in.
All sponsors were also honoured during an award ceremony for their support to the conference. They included Vodafone Qatar (diamond sponsor), Al Arab newspaper (media sponsor); Qatar Lawyers Association, Abu Dhabi Environment, Ghayaaldoha and Social Media Solutions. Mubarka Hamad Al Marri, Manager of the centre, said: “Our vision is to be frontrunners of community responsibility in the region, and we aspire to be a global model.
“We have in place initiatives, programmes and projects of community leadership to develop self-responsibility in community affairs and leadership building.”
Ali Talal Al Mar’e, Executive Director, ALF Foundation, said: “In line with the centre’s vision and objectives, the conference features 11 absorbing sessions, covering subjects including ‘Main platforms for Social Responsibility’; ‘Social Responsibility in Education’; ‘Social responsibility and the private sector’; ‘Social responsibility from the legal perspective’; ‘Experiences and Practices of Social responsibility in the Energy Sector’; ‘The reality of social responsibility’; and more.”
An exhibition featuring companies, centres and individuals active in social responsibility initiatives is being held as part of the conference. The Peninsula
