In a move that reflects its appreciation for his outstanding contributions to volunteerism and development, the Arab Voluntary Union has appointed Mr. Mohamed Saif Al-Ansari as an "Advisor" and a member of its advisory board. This honor comes in recognition of Al-Ansari's significant contributions to promoting a culture of volunteering in the Arab world and his extensive experience in the non-profit sector.

Hassan Buhazza, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, stated, "We are delighted to welcome Mr. Mohamed Saif Al-Ansari to the Arab Voluntary Union family. His extensive experience and insightful vision will be a valuable addition to our advisory board. We look forward to working with him to enhance the Union's role in serving Arab communities."

For his part, Mr. Mohamed Saif Al-Ansari expressed his gratitude for this appointment and for being part of the Union, pledging to exert more efforts to achieve the objectives of the Arab Voluntary Union and elevate volunteerism in the Arab world.

The Arab Voluntary Union has announced that the inaugural Arab Council for Youth Award ceremony will be held on October 1, 2024, in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Organized by the Arab Council for Youth, headquartered at Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University in Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the Arab Voluntary Union, based in Bahrain, and under the patronage of the League of Arab States, the event will be graced by His Highness Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and Honorary President of the Good Word Society.

The ceremony will recognize four youth initiatives aligned with 21st-century skills and targeting the pillars of sustainable development, as well as institutions and organizations that have empowered youth in various sectors, as part of the award's second track, "The Enablers." Additionally, influential figures who have made significant contributions to youth in various fields will be honored under the award's third track, "The Inspirers."

The Arab Council for Youth Award (ACFY Award) aims to highlight youth initiatives that offer innovative solutions to challenges faced by young people and address societal issues. It also seeks to promote a culture of youth empowerment in the public and private sectors and civil society organizations, while celebrating individuals who have made valuable contributions to youth in various fields. This, in turn, empowers young people to make a significant impact on sustainable development in countries worldwide and recognizes unique and successful youth-led development innovations that can inspire others.

The award focuses on the Sustainable Development Goals and its five core dimensions: people, prosperity, planet, peace, and partnership. It also emphasizes 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, communication and teamwork, creativity and problem-solving, leadership and decision-making, global citizenship, entrepreneurship and initiative, technological literacy, and language proficiency. The total prize money for the award is US$160,000, distributed across three tracks.

Doha, Qatar, July 3, 2024:

 In a significant step towards fostering volunteerism and promoting a culture of social responsibility, the Arab Voluntary Union and Bevol International have signed a strategic partnership agreement. The signing ceremony, held at the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), was attended by board members from both organizations. A key outcome of this partnership is the launch of a dedicated sub-platform for the Arab Voluntary Union within the Bevol platform.

The agreement was signed by Hassan Buhazza, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, and Bashar Al-Haraki, Founder and CEO of Bevol Platform.

This partnership marks a new era of collaboration between the Arab Voluntary Union and Bevol. Bevol offers its partners, including the Arab Voluntary Union, a suite of sub-platforms that provide advanced technological infrastructure for building their own communities within an innovative digital environment. The agreement aims to leverage the expertise and capabilities of volunteer organizations and develop effective volunteer programs that meet the needs of Arab communities.

Furthermore, the agreement aims to enhance the use of technology in volunteer work. Bevol will provide its advanced digital platforms to support the Arab Voluntary Union's efforts in organizing and managing volunteer activities professionally. This will also foster a culture of volunteerism and social entrepreneurship among Arab youth, creating new opportunities for positive community engagement.

Buhazza, President of the Arab Voluntary Union, emphasized that the agreement aims to strengthen cooperation with Bevol International to develop new methods and tools for volunteer work and utilize advanced digital technologies. Al-Haraki, Founder and CEO of Bevol International, expressed confidence that this partnership will have a significant impact on developing innovative programs in volunteerism and social entrepreneurship. Dr. Muhammad Al-Kubaisi, Regional Director of Bevol, added that signing this strategic agreement is a significant step in Bevol's journey towards promoting volunteerism and community engagement in the Gulf and Arab world.

The Arab Voluntary Union is the premier Arab framework that brings together bodies, organizations, societies, and centers working in the fields of volunteerism and social development. The Union seeks to promote and disseminate the culture of volunteerism in the Arab world and support efforts to achieve sustainable development.

Bevol is a leading global platform dedicated to promoting a culture of volunteerism and social responsibility through a modern and innovative technological system. Bevol offers its partners custom sub-platforms that enable them to build their own online communities to effectively manage their volunteer activities and projects.

The Arab Voluntary Union expresses its profound pride and honor at the convening of the Arab Summit in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the land of Arabism, peace, and love. We implore Almighty Allah to guide the Arab leaders in their deliberations and crown their efforts with success and achievement, and to preserve the Kingdom of Bahrain and its wise leadership.

The hosting of this prominent Arab event by Bahrain reaffirms its prestigious position and regional and international Arab leadership, and reflects the progress, development, and success that the Kingdom of Bahrain has achieved in all fields and at all levels under the glorious reform era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of the country, may Allah protect him and preserve him. This summit will also enhance Bahrain's position and its leading role in promoting peace, security, and stability in the region.

This summit presents an unparalleled opportunity to strengthen solidarity and integration among the Arab countries. The Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has proven its efficiency in hosting and organizing prominent regional and international summits and conferences.  

We in the Arab Voluntary Union are proud to launch our Arab and international activities from this blessed country, where we reflect the vital role that Bahrain plays in strengthening Arab unity and consolidating the bonds of solidarity among our peoples.

The wise leadership of the Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, as well as the continuous support and cooperation from the Ministry of Social Development, have played a significant role in enabling the Arab Voluntary Union to achieve its distinguished accomplishments at the Arab and international levels. We affirm our deep gratitude and appreciation for this generous support that has enabled us to fulfill our role in serving our Arab and humanitarian causes.

The Arab peoples look forward with optimism to this summit contributing significantly to shaping the features of the common Arab future and unifying visions and efforts to address the challenges facing our Arab nation.

We pray to Allah Almighty to protect our leaders and to guide them all to what is best for our Arab and Islamic nation, and to bestow upon the Kingdom of Bahrain the blessings of security, stability, development, and prosperity.