In recognition of its social efforts, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) won the 7th Princess Haya Award for Special Education in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Excellence, Outstanding Supporters - Public Sector. DEWA was also honoured of its role as strategic sponsor of the award, in the presence of Her Excellency Jameela bint Salem Mesbeh Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education.
On behalf of HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA, received the award and the appreciation certificate. He also delivered a speech during the ceremony on behalf of the sponsors.
Al Tayer appreciated the Princess Haya Award for Special Education for enabling DEWA to be part of this award, which recognises the noble mission of those who work in the field of special education; exerting great efforts in serving this important category in society. Over the past years, the award has stimulated excellence, creativity, and positive competition among individuals and special needs institutions to provide outstanding services for children of determination, not only in the UAE but in the Arab world as a whole.
“This edition of the Award is especially important during the Year of Tolerance, which celebrates diversity in the United Arab Emirates, one of the most prominent nations in integrating people of determination in society and achieving their happiness. This is done in an adaptive and flexible environment that allows them to unleash their potential and prove their capabilities within the framework of the ‘National Policy to Empower People of Determination’, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to create an inclusive society that ensures empowerment and a decent life for people of determination and their families,” said Al Tayer.
“Day by day, the UAE affirms its noble mission in supporting, empowering, and integrating people of determination in society. Last month, concerted efforts in the UAE were made to host the Special Olympics World Games, the world's largest humanitarian sports event. The distinctive results highlighted the noble values of the UAE and its approach that is based on openness and human connectivity in the footsteps of our Founding Fathers who instilled these noble values and principles in the hearts of Emiratis. The role of government and private organisations in the UAE is not limited to carrying out its duties in the sectors that are directly concerned with them, but we are all key players in society; actively contributing to social development efforts. The goals of the Princess Haya Award for Special Education are aligned with DEWA’s strategy in consolidating the foundations of social development. DEWA’s social initiatives and programmes are an integral part of its strategy to serve the public good, particularly in supporting and empowering people of determination. This supports the Dubai Plan 2021, which aims to make Dubai an inclusive and cohesive society that embraces common civic values whose cohesive families and communities form the bedrock of society. It also supports the ‘My Community... a City for Everyone’ initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a city that is friendly for people of determination, by 2020,” added Al Tayer.
DEWA’s CSR efforts have contributed to increasing society’s happiness about DEWA’s role as an organisation that supports people of determination to over 90% in 2018. DEWA has received many local and international awards in corporate social responsibility, including the Princess Haya Award for Special Education and the ‘People of Determination Friendly Government Entity’ award at the 21st Dubai Government Excellence Program. DEWA also received the MVO8000 in CSR, becoming the first government organisation in Dubai to receive this global recognition.
