Business & Money | Wednesday 3 July, 2019 1:20 pm |

Emirates Foundation’s Takatof volunteering program in partnership with the National Media Council has provided Emirati Youth the opportunity to work on and represent the UAE at the UAE pavilion at the Expo 2019 for horticulture in Beijing. 

Over a period of 6 months starting from May – October, UAE volunteers will travel in groups and spend four weeks in support of the UAE pavilion at the 2019 Expo in Beijing.

Amongst the first to travel were Seif Al Hashmi (25), Amer Al Badi, (20) and Hazza Al Blooshi (24) who all expressed their gratitude for having the opportunity to represent and serve the UAE and the immense learning opportunity they have been exposed to during their stay.  

Maytha Al Habsi, Chief Executive Officer at Emirates Foundation, expressed her gratitude for the National Media Council for providing the ‘Takatof’ volunteers this exciting opportunity at such an important event as the Beijing Horticulture Expo. 

" I am very delighted to see the high interest and determination of our youth to participate in international volunteering opportunities and represent the nation – their dedication and commitment knows no boundaries and it is through these international initiatives that we are able to cement the values of giving and promote the spirit of volunteerism across the nation. Al Habsi concluded.

Visitors to the UAE Pavilion showed a keen interest in the UAE’s culture, heritage, and the successes the UAE has demonstrated in its continued endeavors in sustainable development as well as the nation’s horticulture, with volunteers providing thorough explanations to the avid visitors’ inquiries. 

Under the heading ‘Greening the Desert’, the UAE Pavilion embraces the Expo 2019 theme of ‘Live Green, Live Better’ in all its exciting and challenging facets through the use of the young volunteers’ knowledge and experience in the region, particularly in the alternative energy sector.

Since 2007, the Takatof program has organized volunteerism campaigns in an effort to instill a sense of civic engagement and responsibility amongst youth and provide its volunteers the opportunity to support community needs while developing their personal and leadership skills in the process. 

Inspired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Takatof fosters a culture of volunteering throughout the United Arab Emirates. 

Launched in 2007, it offers the nation’s youth meaningful opportunities to volunteer for important social causes and encourages engagement in public service. Takatof members are ambassadors of the culture of volunteering and they represent the culture of social solidarity, support and giving and embody the noble values of the Emirate people.