Dubai is more than host to the tallest building and the largest man-made island; it’s also home to some of the most charitable people in the world. Led by a visionary leader, they’ve created a movement that is bringing equitable access to education and learning opportunities for children and youth in developing countries to help them take charge of their future. This global movement is known as Dubai Cares, a leading global non-governmental philanthropic organization that aims to promote access to quality education in developing countries.
Starting October 2021, the rest of the world will have the opportunity to learn more about Dubai Cares’ global impact, with hundreds of thousands of visitors set to visit the philanthropic organization’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
The Dubai Cares pavilion will engage visitors of all ages from around the globe in a journey that will tell Dubai’s story of coming together and creating a movement that has, and continues, to make a difference in the world. Through the pavilion’s immersive and experiential journey, visitors will come to understand what a level playing field can look like through the transformative power of education. They will understand why it is important for learning to start early and how - with the right guidance, care and playfulness - children are empowered to create the foundation for lifelong learning. Equipped with this foundation, youth are able to navigate solutions, possibilities, challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The fit-out and production work of the pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai site is underway, marking a key milestone for Dubai Cares.
Commenting on the commencement of this milestone, Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, Commissioner General for the Dubai Cares Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai and Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares said:
“The story of Dubai and the UAE goes way beyond what meets the eye. This is the story of a land, whose people have been known for their generosity and kindness for decades, and their legacy continues today. At its very core, Dubai Cares embodies the spirit of altruism of the people of the UAE, who take great pride in associating themselves with the dynamic global movement that the organization has become today. We believe that this deeply enriching, engaging and empowering story of Dubai, the UAE and Dubai Cares must be shared with the whole world - and what better platform than Expo 2020 Dubai to proudly showcase it.”
Located in the Opportunity District within Expo 2020 Dubai and spreads over two levels, the Dubai Cares Pavilion is being designed and built by Pico International, a global leader in Total Brand Activation. The theme of the 1,000 sq/m space is ‘The Future is Human’, which will also serve as the philanthropic organization’s overarching theme for its engagements over the next two years.
As an advocacy initiative, ‘The Future is Human’ aims to place humanity at the center of the upcoming fourth industrial revolution alongside technological advancements. It seeks to ensure that education systems are as agile as the fast-paced changes around us, reduce the digital divide by securing the right to connectivity for learning and livelihoods as a way to increase equity to opportunities for children and youth around the world, and place human dignity at the center of storytelling to foster a more accurate understanding of the world.
In addition to the pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, this global advocacy initiative is also behind RewirEd, a global platform that aims to rewire education for a prosperous and sustainable future; as well as a Global Declaration on Connectivity to mobilize both public and private sector support for increased connectivity for learning and livelihoods; and Dignified Storytelling, an ecosystem that instils dignity and respect in storytelling within development and humanitarian contexts.
During Expo 2020 Dubai, Dubai Cares will also host its flagship RewirEd Summit, in partnership with Expo 2020 Dubai and in close coordination with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC). Delivered in partnership with global stakeholders from 12 – 14 December 2021, the Summit will convene more than 2,000 diverse participants from government, global education stakeholders, civil society and the private sector. It represents a unique moment to amplify the call for action for global education and will identify ideas and drive change for the future of education. Registration for the three-day in-person Summit is now open. To sign up, please visit: https://www.rewired2021.com/summit/
Commenting on the choice of theme of the pavilion, Dr. Tariq Al Gurg said:
“Over the last few years, our world has witnessed a massive transformation, thanks to the rapid wave of innovation across sectors that has significantly impacted everything we do. However, while new-age technology has unlocked a whole new world of opportunities for global industries, our education system has not made any real progress in terms of effectively utilizing the opportunities presented by this new dynamic. As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on livelihoods, health and the future, we believe that the time has come for a major disruption in the education space. This will be done through a complete overhaul of the entire ecosystem that will combine the power of technological advancement with the infinite strength of human skills, vision and connection, which we firmly believe, is the centerpiece of the human progress and development story. Our goal with the Dubai Cares Pavilion is therefore to carefully explore what lies ahead for our children, and emphasize the fact that, while it may not seem so now, the future is indeed human.”
The pavilion’s ground level space will feature a series of engaging activities designed for both children and adults across multiple unique zones, enriching their understanding of Dubai and the UAE beyond common perceptions, introducing them to Dubai Cares and its mission, enlightening them about the importance of the various stages of learning, offering an immersive full-circle learning experience to youth, educators, and parents regarding the future of work, and finally inviting them to become part of the Dubai Cares movement by signing-up to be a supporter or a volunteer, or simply making a donation and purchasing meaningful merchandise. Students from UAE schools will also have the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops on the upper level.
Moreover, in the upper-level space, Dubai Cares will host engagements with children and youth, ensuring they get the opportunity to actively participate in Dubai Cares’ activities and serve as young ambassadors for its mission. In addition, this area will also host targeted discussions related to education and philanthropy and provide a networking space for high-level guests and dignitaries.
To learn more about Dubai Cares’ various engagements and initiatives at Expo 2020 Dubai, please visit: www.dubaicares.ae
News Source: https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2021/May/03-05/Dubai-Cares-Pavilion
