JEDDAH, 13 December 2005 — The National Home Health Care Foundation in the Western Region and Master Foods Middle East hosted a seminar on Sunday at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry on ways of improving the role of the private sector in supporting charity organizations. The seminar included a number of panel sessions and presentations by charity organizations reflecting current challenges.
“The lack of resources in recent years and the increasing number of those who need support has revealed the need for a concentrated and cooperated effort between the private sector and charity organizations,” said Princess Adelah bint Abdullah, president of the National Home Health Care Foundation, in her opening speech.
She called for creating more opportunities and larger partnerships between businesses and volunteer work in order to benefit society. Princess Nora bint Mohammed bin Saud bin Abdul Rahman, president of the Women’s Welfare Organization of the South spoke about the different ways in which businesses can support charities.
Princess Albandari bint Khaled, board member of Al-Nahda Charity Organization, presented a successful case study of a business project for producing and marketing women’s handmade crafts.
The company called ‘My Heritage’ is supported by businessman Salah Al-Belewi and will be launched in 2006.
Al-Jowhara Al-Anqari, director of Eman Cancer Society, presented a paper on the dynamic administration of social work and its association with the private sector. She focused on ways charity organizations can become more effective and more able to encourage businesses to participate in their activities.
Dr. Nadia Baeshen, director of Khadija bint Khuwailid Center for Businesswomen at the JCCI, and Alia Shalhoub, administrative researcher at Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), spoke how the chamber of commerce and SAGIA could help enhance the role of the private sector in community work through various funds.
From the private sector’s perspective, Sarah Al-Ayed of SACCS company, talked about the reasons behind businesses’ reluctance to sponsor charitable events and programs and the suggestions for improving relations. Asya Al-Ashaikh, head of Tamkeen Consult for Development and Administration, and Nayla Attar, head of Administrative and Economical Consultative Office, and Sahar Salah, director of women’s training at ALJ Community Services Program, presented case studies on corporate social responsibility.
The final segments during the seminar were specialized workshops on ways of attracting the private sector into participating in charity events and a workshop on enhancing PR and marketing divisions in welfare organizations and improving their relationship with the private sector.
