NEW YORK CITY (September 26, 2008) - In recognition of the Dubai Cares one year anniversary and in honor of the significant partnership between the two organizations, CARE USA's CEO and President Dr. Helene Gayle presented Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy with CARE International's Global Philanthropy Award in a private reception hosted by CARE USA recently.
The honorary event was attended by New York's influential global philanthropists, and CARE USA board members and executive team. Guests learned about the achievements of Dubai Cares, a charitable establishment that aims to provide access to primary education in developing countries. Dubai Cares was founded on the vision of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who believes education is the best long-term solution to fighting the global cycle of poverty.
In her remarks, Dr. Gayle shared background on Dubai Cares and its partnership with CARE International, "CARE is truly honored to have been chosen by Dubai Cares as one of its four international partners. I'm really impressed with the significant achievements Dubai Cares has accomplished in only one year."
Dr. Gayle also talked about CARE USA's strategic plans and the importance of focusing on girls' education: "Dubai Cares recognizes the importance of educating girls, awarding CARE a $19 million grant towards our primary education work in Yemen, with a special emphasis on girls. Partners like Dubai Cares understand the importance of investing in long-term programs in order to make lasting impact."
In accepting the award, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Chairperson of the Dubai Cares Board of Directors, said, "I am truly honored to receive this award, but this award should be presented to the unspoken heroes like the humanitarian field workers who risk their lives daily working so hard to bring change in dangerous and improvised communities. It should go to the men, women and children who experience the hardships of poverty first hand but are positively committed to bringing change to their lives."
Her Excellency shared with the guests her experience in NYC at the Clinton Global Initiative, where both Dubai Cares and CARE USA participated, "In my speech at the conference, I told the audience that Dubai Cares has surpassed its goal of reaching one million children in our primary education program investments. I then was interrupted by strong applause from the audience, and as pleased as I was by our success to date, I am not satisfied; there is still much work to be done by humanitarian organizations such CARE International and Dubai Cares. We cannot get comfortable."
"Dubai Cares asks from our partners like CARE not only to see us as a donor but as an active partner in collaborating together on long term and strategic development programs," Her Excellency Reem Al-Hashimy said.
About CARE: CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. Last year, CARE programs improved the lives of more than 66 million people in nearly 70 countries. Recognizing that women suffer disproportionately from poverty, CARE places special emphasis on working with women to create permanent social change. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives. For more information please visit www.careinternational.org.
About Dubai Cares: Launched on September 19, 2007, Dubai Cares has become the largest charitable establishment solely devoted to improving primary education around the world, and is actively engaged with international aid agencies ( including UNICEF, UNRWA, Oxfam, Save the Children and Care International) to develop primary education programs and help developing countries meet their universal primary education goals, as per UN MDG's 2 and 3. In its role as a strategic coordinator, Dubai Cares is also playing an important role in developing a global partnership for development, in line with UN MDG 8. For more information please visit www.dubaicares.ae.
