ENOC Makes Difference To The Lives Of Disadvantaged Youngsters

Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) today launched ‘ENOC Challenge III’, a comprehensive training programme aimed at providing disadvantaged youngsters with a unique opportunity to acquire critical professional skills and embark on challenging new careers.

For this year’s programme, ENOC has linked up with the UAE Red Crescent, the principal charitable organisation in the emirate, and Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, a humanitarian organisation which provides quality education and therapy services to children with special needs. The two institutions nominated 20 disadvantaged candidates, including special needs youth, who will complete their training apprenticeships at various ENOC departments.

The progress of each trainee will be regularly evaluated by the mentors and trainers of ENOC Learning and Development Department. On successful completion of the 8-week programme for disadvantaged individuals and 6 months for participants with special needs, the trainees will be given a career opportunity and training certificate.

ENOC Challenge III follows the success of two previous editions of the ENOC Challenge, and highlights ENOC’s continued commitment to the UAE community. The initiative underlines ENOC’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme and has been designed to encourage businesses in the country to strengthen their ties with all sections of the community.

Speaking at the launch of the ENOC Challenge III, Saif Al Falasi, ENOC Group General Manager, said: “There are many challenges in life, and we should face them with determination. That is the underlying philosophy of the ENOC Challenge. We hope that all corporates will undertake similar initiatives and contribute to the overall welfare of society.”

“Over the years, the UAE has promoted entrepreneurship and facilitated businesses, helping many people to shape their destinies and craft success stories. It is time for successful individuals and institutions to come together, to give back and make a real impact in the UAE community. ENOC Challenge does just that. I thank the UAE Red Crescent and Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre for nominating the 20 candidates for ENOC Challenge III,” Al Falasi added.

The learning and development modules of the programme will cover technical- functional trainings such as typing, Microsoft Office, telephone operations, job interview techniques, and writing winning CVs. The modules also include behavioral training in the English language, problem solving, team building, customer care, presentation skills and communication skills.

Khalid Hadi, ENOC Group Brand and Marketing Manager, said: “With our operations spanning oil and gas, retail and real estate, regionally and internationally, the ENOC Challenge is the ideal training ground for these youngsters. It will help special needs and disadvantaged individuals to be prepared for their future, by enhancing their independence, developing their contribution to society, and ensuring they have a full participation in all aspects of life.”

“ENOC Challenge III also aims to provide the participants with the opportunity to gain experience in today’s business and commerce, as well as make them strong candidates for employment in various industries” Hadi concluded.

The launch ceremony was also attended by Hussain Al Sheikh, the Deputy Minister of Social Affairs; Mariam Othman, Director of Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre; Mohammed Zaroni, General Manager of the UAE Red Crescent Society and Dr. Omar Abdul Kafi, a well-known social motivator.

Emaar Hospitality Group and ’A Helping Hand’ raise AED 165,000 for Medecins Sans Frontieres

Emaar Hospitality Group joined hands with ’A Helping Hand,’ a group of students from The American School of Dubai, to host a fund-raising dinner for Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The annual event, ’Dinner on the Greens’ was held recently at The Montgomerie Dubai with the support of the Red Crescent and raised AED 165,000 to fund medication for an epidemic in West Africa. Médecins Sans Frontières will vaccinate over seven million people for free in Chad, Niger and Nigeria, in one of the worst meningitis epidemics in five years, as reported by United Nations.Mr Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Office, Emaar Hospitality Group and Emaar Hotels & Resorts said: "A Helping Hand is a model charity organization led by students and through this event they not only contribute to society but also further strengthen their personal development and societal commitment. Emaar Hospitality Group is privileged to partner with such a noble initiative that touches the lives of people across geographies."The JMH Group, the owners of Fosroc, the construction chemicals brand, and of Fitriani, Kilgour and Ray Ward, the exclusive womenswear, men’s bespoke tailors and gunsmiths brands, respectively, was the main sponsor of the event.’Dinner on the Greens’ featured two components – a sponsored 18-hole golf tournament, and a gala dinner with a silent auction held overlooking the greens of The Montgomerie Dubai golf course.Several prizes were on offer throughout the event including the silent auction grand prize sponsored by Emirates Airlines which included two business class return flights anywhere on the Emirates network valued at AED 50,000.Eighty-five per cent of proceeds raised from the event at The Montgomerie Dubai went to the humanitarian and medical assistance work, and the rest was contributed to the general emergency fund of MSF.

Dubai One – Out & About This Week

Want to be kept up-to-date on what’s happening in Dubai? Well what better place to get your weekly rundown of what’s in store for the week ahead than with Out & About This Week on Dubai One, the 24-hour free-to-air English language entertainment channel part of Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI).Last week (Aired 29 April) we learnt some new steps in time for World Dance Day. Layne showed us his moves on the dance floor as he found out about the Columbian dance sensation which hit The First Group Madinat Theatre, whilst Punam learnt a move or two at the latest hip hop dance troupe to takeover Dubai, The Nike Rockstar Workout. We also took rock to a new level at the kids’ rock challenge event running from 30 April to the 4 May. Then from jewellery and antiques to Art, we had an exclusive sneak peak behind the scenes of the famous Christies auction that was in town on the 28 and 29 April and met some kids with some zany ideas at the Car Art Festival at Festival City.This week (Airing 6 May) the sky is the limit as Layne takes part in a Vertical Marathon at The Emirates Towers to raise money for Medecins Sans Frontiers with support of the Red Crescent to coincide with Red Cross Day on 8 May, before joining Punam on the latest dining experience taking Dubai to new heights, the Sky Dinner. Punam and Layne enjoy a meal on a 50 foot high platform overlooking The Walk. Once Layne finds his feet he gets a new suit tailored just for him at the newly opened Logsdale where he is dressed like a gentleman just in time to visit the stage of the Would Be Gentlemen, a play running at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre on the 8 and 9 May. We will also have an exclusive interview with the musical group The Charlatans and Arab Superstar Ragheb Alama.Next Week (Airing 13 May) we are reading through our dictionaries in preparation for the Dubai Scrabble Tournament. Layne is in the spotlight as he has a photo session at the famous Stewart Williamson studios, meanwhile Punam visits Dubai in 1962, a new exhibition at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre which shows us how Dubai has changed in the last 50 years through photos. Punam also reminds us of the importance of recycling as she takes on the Emirates Environmental Group’s challenge to collect as many cans as she can by May 28 whilst Layne faces his own challenge with White Collar Boxing.For all this and more, join us on Out & About This Week on Dubai One, Wednesdays at 9.00pm.
 

Dubai Culture Supports 5th Dubai International Peace Music Festival

The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is presenting the 5th Dubai International Peace Music Festival (for Young Virtuosos). The opening ceremony concert was held in Dubai on Saturday continues for 3 days from 5-7 April, featuring the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Premier Music College in Prague.

H.R.H. Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is the Honorary Patron of the festival, which is being organised under the banner of peace and the inspiration of the harmonious coexistence of so many nationalities in Dubai. Continuing through Tuesday, the festival features two other concerts – on Sunday 5th April in Sharjah and Tuesday 7th April in Dubai.

The goal of the festival is to encourage interest in classical music among young people and to cultivate talent in the UAE, in order to achieve the objective of establishing a national symphony orchestra with a strong cadre of young UAE nationals at its core. But above all, promoting peace is at the heart of the festival’s activities. Through music and the active participation of children, the festival evokes two of the most powerful and universally recognised symbols of peace.

Not only is the festival promoting classical music within the youth community but it also is helping a substantial group of young people, with proceeds from the event going to the UAE Red Crescent and its activities and programmes to support children in need.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Chief Project Officer of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), said, “The focus on peace, and the multicultural character of both the festival and the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra fit perfectly with our objectives, including our interest in celebrating and stimulating multicultural dialogue across different nationalities from all over the world and contributing to the renaissance of culture and arts in the region.”

Riad Kudsi, Founder, Director and Conductor of the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra, said, “The importance of music to current and future generations cannot be underestimated. Classical music can play the role of an international language that transcends cultures and borders, thereby serving as the foundation for the peace that we all hope to achieve. By nurturing young talent, we grow the seeds of peace.”

The festival is one of the first major events that the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has supported since it announced its new brand identity, developed in response to changing times and reflective of its evermore dynamic, synergetic and versatile character. The organisation is driven by a vision to position Dubai as a vibrant, Arabian, global city that helps shape culture and art in the region and the world, and by a mission to create an environment that facilitates and inspires cultural activity.

Kudsi established the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra in 1993. Since then, the ensemble has continued to grow and has performed in international music festivals in the Czech Republic, France, Kuwait, and Oman. Some of the orchestra’s previous members, who completed their academic studies with Kudsi, have gained distinguished musical scholarships to continue their violin studies.

In line with its mandate, the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has launched a number of influential cultural initiatives. These include: Muhammad the Messenger Museum, the first project of its kind in the world to highlight the life of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him); the Khor Dubai project that seeks to create a world-class cultural infrastructure at the heart of Dubai; a living museum stretching across the shores of the Dubai Creek; the Gulf Film Festival, an annual non-profit cultural event that aims to celebrate the best in Gulf cinema; and The Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre, an annual initiative that seeks to celebrate and foster the art of theatre in the UAE.