Minister of Social Development and Family H E Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad (second right) with Qatar University President Dr. Hassan Rashid Al Derham (right) and CEO of Qatar CSR National Program Dr Saif Ali Al Hajari (left) during the awarding ceremony at the event.
Doha: Minister of Social Development and Family H E Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad has stressed the importance of social responsibility to government policies and Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030. The minister said this after inaugurating the Qatar CSR Summit yesterday. The event will run until May 18.
Besides the minister, other top personalities graced the opening, including President of Qatar University, Dr. Hassan Al Derham; CEO of Ooredoo, Sheikh Ali bin Jabor Al Thani; Chief Business Officer of QNB Group, Youssef Mahmoud Al Neama; CEO of the Qatar National Program for Social Responsibility, Dr. Saif Al Hajari; diplomats; and business leaders. Several ministries, government and semi-government entities, and private sector companies participated in the event.
The Qatar CSR Summit provides a platform for local and international corporate social responsibility (CSR) experts and professionals to discuss how organisations can use CSR to integrate economic, social, and environmental goals with their operations. “Social responsibility occupies an advanced position within the list of priorities of the wise government and constitutes an important element in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 in the human, social, economic and environmental dimensions,” Al Misnad said while addressing the Summit.
The minister said to reach the goals set by the QNV in this regard, stakeholders must commit, cooperate and work together so that together “we can achieve sustainable development and well-being for citizens and residents.”
Al Misnad noted that the participation of top leaders of social responsibility development in Qatar, and officials of companies that have implemented CSR in their operations, serve as an example for other institutions and companies.
Meanwhile, Dr. Al Derham explained how CSR is an essential part of the QU’s students’ education journey, adding that students are encouraged to participate in CSR-related conferences and events to broaden their horizons and enhance their abilities to communicate effectively with others.
“We strive to enhance their awareness and develop their skills and abilities to become more interested in social and environmental problems and finding solutions,” Dr. Al Derham said.
Meanwhile, Al Misnad presented an award to Sheikh Ali bin Jabor Al Thani in recognition of Ooredoo’s adoption of the ceremony celebrating older people held during Ramadan. CEO of Seashore Group, Salem Saeed Al Mohannadi, also received an award from the minister for the company’s role in supporting and developing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its cooperation with the Ministry to achieve QNV 2030.
Alongside the Summit, an exhibition by participating agencies, institutions and companies is being held.
Several sessions were organised yesterday to discuss business education and social impact, how social responsibility can be connected to profitability, and the role of documentation management in social responsibility and CSR from an Islamic view. A panel session moderated by the Dean of the College of Business & Economics, Qatar University, Prof Rana Sobh, discussed how business schools promote sustainable practices and the challenges businesses face to balance sustainability with profits.
