The municipality of Jeddah launched a new social responsibility program on Monday to establish additional social service projects and strengthen the role the community plays within the city of Jeddah.

Mohammed Al-Yami, manager of the social responsibility program at the municipality said: “The establishment of a social responsibility program is based on participation of all social classes in a number of initiatives adopted by the municipality in regards to responsibility toward the city of Jeddah.”

“The goal of the social responsibility program is to be at the core of all social works. We expect that in future the program will become an integrated management program specializing in social responsibility,” he added.

Al-Yami said there were many activities that the social responsibility program has already participated in, such as Eid and National Day where they organized various art and entertainment events for street children. He said the municipality also maintains a strong presence at national events.

He believes the successful implementation of municipal initiatives depends on cooperation from their partners in the public and private sector – partners such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and King Abdul Aziz University, to name a few.

Social responsibility initiatives like the one between the municipality, the Ministry of Education and the King Abdul Aziz University, benefit the 600,000 students living in Jeddah. These students also represent about 30 percent of the city’s population.

Al-Yami said that social responsibility programs are based on enhancing initiatives and raising awareness for generations who can make a significant impact.

Al-Yami told Arab News: “The Corniche project for example, is very important to the city of Jeddah since it is a coastal city. The waterfront is now a landmark and a destination for Jeddah residents and visitors. Therefore the role of the social responsibility project lies in raising public awareness about incorrect practices that can harm the environment.”

Jeddah municipality also partners with environmental organizations like Friends of Jeddah. This non-profit group’s social responsibility goal focuses on transforming pubic areas and developing them into recreational parks for city residents.

Arwa Al-Ama, assistant secretary of Jeddah Principality for information technology affairs, said people can become involved with Friends of Jeddah projects through their website.