Dubai, UAE - In a move aimed at enhancing cooperation in the fields of innovation and volunteering, the Arab Voluntary Union and the Arab Network for Creativity and Innovation signed a strategic cooperation agreement on the sidelines of the Global Innovation Summit, which was held in Dubai from February 24 to 27, 2025.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Anwar Saleh Buhassan, Secretary-General of the Arab Voluntary Union, and Sheikh Faisal bin Saud Al Qassimi, Supreme President of the Arab Network for Creativity and Innovation.

The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between the two parties in the fields of innovation and volunteering, exchange experiences and knowledge, organize joint events, and support initiatives that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Kuwait: In a move aimed at enhancing cooperation and partnership between youth, voluntary, and scouting institutions in the Arab world, and through coordination with the Partnerships and Sponsorships Committee chaired by Dr. Sumaya Sulaiman, the Arab Voluntary Union and the Arab Union of Scout and Guide Pioneers signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Hassan Buhazza, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, and Dr. Al-Faturi Muftah, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Arab Union of Scout and Guide Pioneers.

The agreement stipulates cooperation in several areas, most notably training to exchange experiences and training programs in the fields of volunteering and scouting, organizing joint workshops and training courses to enhance the capabilities of volunteers and scouts, cooperating to implement joint voluntary projects targeting various segments of society, exchanging experiences in managing and organizing voluntary projects, as well as cooperation in the field of scouting to support and develop scout and guide programs, and exchange experiences in the field of the scouting movement.

In a statement, Mr. Hassan Buhazza, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, stressed the importance of this agreement in unifying efforts and integrating roles between the two unions, noting that this cooperation will significantly contribute to enhancing human, national, and voluntary values among Arab youth, and enabling them to contribute to building their societies.

For his part, Dr. Al-Faturi Muftah, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Arab Union of Scout and Guide Pioneers, praised this strategic partnership, emphasizing that scouts and guides are a fundamental pillar in building societies, and that this cooperation will contribute to developing scout and guide programs and making them more effective.

Kuwait, January 13, 2025: Mr. Hassan Buhazza, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, accompanied by Mr. Hussein Al-Saeed, Financial Secretary of the Union, held a fruitful meeting with His Excellency Mr. Nasser Al-Sheikh, Acting Director-General of the Youth Public Authority, and Mr. Walid Al-Ansari, Deputy Director-General of the Youth Sector.

The meeting focused on joint cooperation, where fruitful discussions took place on ways to enhance cooperation between the Arab Voluntary Union and the Youth Public Authority, with the aim of harnessing youth energies and directing them towards voluntary work, and providing programs and events that contribute to developing youth skills and capabilities, and enhancing their active participation in society.

For his part, Mr. Hassan Buhazza, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, stressed the importance of this strategic partnership, noting that young people are the cornerstone of the future, and that investing in them is an investment in the present and future of the nation. He added: "Through this cooperation, we seek to provide a stimulating environment for young people, enable them to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and enhance the concept of volunteering and the values of citizenship and belonging".

In turn, His Excellency Mr. Nasser Al-Sheikh, Acting Director-General of the Youth Public Authority, affirmed the Authority's commitment to supporting young people and providing all the necessary capabilities to empower them, noting that cooperation with the Arab Voluntary Union comes within the framework of the Authority's keenness to build effective partnerships with various youth-related entities. He added: "We appreciate the efforts of the Arab Voluntary Union in the field of voluntary work, and we emphasize the importance of concerted efforts to achieve the aspirations of young people and develop their capabilities".

Algiers – December 21, 2024: Under the patronage of the Algerian Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Leisure, the Guide for Volunteering Youth Association organized intensive workshops on youth empowerment, volunteering, and volunteer team management.

The event witnessed wide participation from volunteers, representatives of associations and volunteer teams, as well as national and official figures. The session was opened with a welcoming speech by Mr. Abdelrazak Chebani, president of the association, who praised the efforts exerted in empowering youth and developing their capabilities.

For his part, Mr. Hassan Buhazza, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, in a speech delivered via Zoom, emphasized the importance of volunteering and its role in building sustainable communities. He also praised Algeria's efforts in supporting volunteer work and providing a stimulating environment for youth.

The workshops covered a range of important topics, including the importance of volunteering and its impact on society, the skills of managing volunteer teams and organizing activities, as well as the role of volunteering in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the importance of cooperation and partnership between various stakeholders was emphasized to promote and spread the culture of volunteering among youth.

Dr. Budoor Buhijji, Sustainable Development Expert in the Training Sector at the Arab Voluntary Union - Kingdom of Bahrain, participated in the regional workshop on sustainable investment in digital transformation in the Arab region, hosted by Abu Dhabi and organized by the Department of Sustainable Development and International Cooperation at the League of Arab States, and the Arab Union for Digital Economy, as part of the 16th meeting of the Arab Committee to Follow Up on the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 in the Arab region.

The workshop was attended by representatives of Arab countries, ministries of sustainable development, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, a number of specialized Arab organizations, international organizations and UN agencies, as well as a number of representatives from the private sector.

The two-day workshop included several main sessions. The first session discussed digital investment in the Arab region, and reviewed experiences and initiatives in government digital transformation, including smart cities, digital payment systems, and cloud data centers, which are in line with global trends in investment in this field and its role in achieving sustainable development in the Arab region.

The second session addressed supporting private investment opportunities and foreign partnerships in digital projects such as successful practices, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and investing in developing digital skills and encouraging technological innovation to achieve sustainable digital transformation.

As part of the Arab Voluntary Union's participation, Dr. Budoor Buhijji presented a working paper on the role of the Arab Voluntary Union in preparing youth to contribute to achieving sustainable development through digital transformation and artificial intelligence. She also presented the most prominent success stories achieved by the Union in the field of innovation in volunteer work and sustainable development. At the end of the presentation, a training program project on sustainable volunteering in the context of digital transformation, presented by the Union, was proposed and includes four axes (volunteering, sustainable development, digital transformation, and innovation). The participating Arab countries praised this project, which enhances sustainability and stimulates creativity and innovation in the context of digital transformation.

The Arab Voluntary Union and the National Center for Non-Profit Sector Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Riyadh, in a move to strengthen joint cooperation in the field of volunteerism and community development in the Arab world.

Dr. Khaled Al-Azab, Deputy President of the Arab Voluntary Union, and Majid Abunahyyah, Deputy CEO of the Development Sector at the National Center for Non-Profit Sector Development, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations.

The MoU includes cooperation in organizing awareness campaigns, exchanging expertise, and publishing studies to support and develop volunteer work in the Arab world in a sustainable manner.

This cooperation aims to implement more joint events and activities in coordination between the two parties, unify efforts to serve Arab communities, and develop the volunteer sector in the region.

It is worth noting that the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) represents a valuable opportunity for cooperation between international organizations and the exchange of experiences; it also offers an innovative approach to enhancing land protection and contributing to combating desertification, land degradation, and drought.

Cairo, Egypt – November 27, 2024: In a significant step to enhance cooperation and partnership between regional and Arab institutions, the Arab Voluntary Union and the Arab Scouting Organization – Arab Scout Region held a coordination meeting at the headquarters of the Arab International Scouting Center in Cairo. This meeting aims to strengthen cooperation between the two parties and develop joint plans and programs that contribute to the development of volunteer work and the scouting movement in the Arab region.

The meeting was attended by a delegation from the Arab Voluntary Union, headed by Mr. Hassan Buhazaa, President of the Union, and accompanied by Dr. Khaled Al-Azab, Vice President of the Union, Mr. Hussein Al-Saeed, the Union's financial secretary, and Mr. Okail Ismail, the Union's general coordinator in Egypt. From the Arab International Scouting Center, Dr. Hany Abdel Wahab, Secretary-General and Regional Director of the Arab Scouting Organization, and Mr. Ahmed Hassan, Director of Special Projects for the Arab Scout Region, were present.

The meeting discussed shared visions and future strategies, and determined the practical steps to activate cooperation between the two institutions.

Cairo, Egypt – As part of the Arab Sustainable Development Week organized by the League of Arab States in cooperation with international and local partners, Mr. Hassan Buhazaa, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, participated in an important discussion session hosted by the Alexandria Library.

The session, titled "Alexandria Library and Sustainability: The Role of Cultural Institutions in Achieving Sustainable Development in the Arab World", focused on the Union's role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The Union's President delivered a speech highlighting the Union's efforts to empower youth and build their capacities to contribute effectively to achieving sustainable development.

The President emphasized the importance of investing in youth and providing them with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead positive change. He pointed out that the Union implements numerous programs and initiatives targeting youth, such as training and development programs, entrepreneurship projects, and awareness campaigns.

The President also reviewed the Union's most significant achievements in the field of sustainable development, which include projects in the areas of environment, health, education, and youth capacity building. He drew attention to the Arab Million Tree Planting Campaign launched by the Union in cooperation with its members in various Arab countries.

In conclusion, the President thanked the League of Arab States and the Alexandria Library for organizing this important event, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and partnership between various sectors to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Cairo - The fifth edition of the Arab Sustainable Development Week witnessed intensive dialogue sessions, organized by the League of Arab States under the theme: Sustainable Solutions for a Better Future - Resilience and Adaptability in an Evolving Arab World ", in cooperation with partners from the United Nations, the European Union, the World Bank, the Berkala Forum for Islamic Economy, and the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, from November 24 to 27, 2024.

The Arab Voluntary Union contributed by implementing and managing a dialogue session that brought together a select group of experts and specialists in sustainable development and volunteering, under the title "Sustainable Volunteering in the Era of Global Digital Transformation". Participants reviewed the most prominent challenges and opportunities facing volunteer work in the face of rapid technological development. The session addressed three main axes: the current reality and practices, the desired future, and challenges and how to overcome them.

The speakers emphasized the importance of integrating technology into volunteer work to increase its effectiveness and reach wider segments of society. They also discussed the role of governments and institutions in supporting digital volunteer initiatives and providing the appropriate environment for their growth and development.

The session was attended by a constellation of prominent figures, including Mr. Hassan Buhazaa, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, Dr. Khaled Al-Azab, Vice President of the Arab Voluntary Union (session chair), Dr. Rasha Ragheb, Executive Director of the National Training Academy, Dr. Nevine El-Kabbaj, former Minister of Social Solidarity, and Engineer Bashar Al-Heraki, founder and CEO of the international platform Bevol.

The session was met with great interaction from a distinguished audience of more than 450 individuals, including volunteers, academics, and university students, reflecting the growing interest in the issues of volunteering and sustainable development in the Arab world.

Key Points Discussed in the Session:

• Examples of successful digital volunteer initiatives in the Arab world.
• The impact of digital transformation on the methods and forms of volunteering in local communities.
• Evaluating current Arab programs in capacity building to achieve the sustainability of volunteer work.
• Future visions for the development of sustainable volunteering within the framework of digital transformations.
• The role of artificial intelligence and big data in enhancing the effectiveness of volunteer programs.
• The challenges facing training and educational institutions in building a generation that possesses a culture of sustainable digital volunteering.
• The digital divide and its relationship to opportunities to access information and resources related to volunteering.

Mr. Hassan Buhazaa, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, emphasized the importance of investing in digital volunteering as a tool to achieve sustainable development goals. Buhazaa stated, "Digital transformation offers immense opportunities to enhance community participation and expand the positive impact of volunteer work". Meanwhile, Engineer Bashar Al-Heraki called for the provision of the necessary digital infrastructure to support digital volunteering, noting that "technology can be a powerful motivator for youth to engage in volunteer work".

Dr. Rasha Ragheb, Executive Director of the National Training Academy, highlighted the challenges of building a generation that embraces a culture of digital volunteering, citing the rapid pace of technological development and the need to develop specialized Arabic digital content. Ragheb said, "We need to build strong partnerships and digital development to overcome these challenges".

Dr. Nevine El-Kabbaj pointed out that digital development will bring about a positive shift in the field of volunteering and enable everyone to participate in digital volunteer work. She added, "We must work to support and encourage digital initiatives by creative youth and promote digital transformation on a wider scale".

The session recommended that Arab governments and civil society organizations cooperate to develop national strategies to support digital volunteering, and encourage institutions and associations to support and promote volunteer initiatives in the technological and digital aspects.

The session witnessed significant interaction from the audience, as participants posed a series of constructive questions that added great value to the discussion. The audience touched on many important issues, such as the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing volunteer work, best practices for utilizing the efforts of volunteers, and how to measure the impact of digital volunteer initiatives. Experts answered these questions clearly, enriching the dialogue and enhancing the depth of the session's discussions.

In turn, the League of Arab States played a pivotal role in organizing this event, providing an ideal platform for the exchange of experiences and knowledge among the various participants in the Arab Sustainable Development Week.

In conclusion, participants emphasized the importance of cooperation between the public, private, and civil society sectors to build a more sustainable future that relies on digital volunteering as an effective tool for achieving comprehensive development.