Presenting its achievements on its 35th anniversary
Taawon concludes its institutional meetings and annual dinner under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi 11/11/2018: Taawon held its periodic meetings for the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors, and a series of meetings for its institutional committees, in the presence of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees Mr. Faisal Alami, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors Dr. Karim Tahboub, Director-General Dr. Tafeeda Jarbawi, and members of the Boards of Trustees and Board of Directors, in addition to heads and members of the institutional committees.
The Board of Trustees reviewed the performance of the institution since the beginning of the year and the Board of Directors report presented by Dr. Karim Tahboub, Vice Chairman of the Board. The programmatic and administrative budget was discussed, as well as the outline of the Strategic Plan 2020-2022, presented by Dr. Tafeeda Jarbawi, Director General.
The Board of Trustees also reviewed the activities of the committees and working groups of the Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees, which includes the most important achievements of Taawon and the main challenges and ways for further development. Taawon’s achievements for this period included touching the lives of approximately 770,000 Palestinians, through the support of about 338 local institutions which in turn generated 4,000 new jobs and receiving the ISO 9001: 2015 certification.
In parallel with the meetings, Taawon held its annual gala dinner under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance of the United Arab Emirates. The dinner, held at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Hotel in Abu Dhabi, coincided with the Year of Zayed commemorating the centenary of the birth of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the 35th anniversary of Taawon. The dinner was attended by dignitaries, business people, Palestinian community in UAE and members of Taawon.
During his speech at the dinner, H.E. Sheikh Nahyan stressed the strong support of the UAE for the Palestinian people's struggle to materialize their hopes and aspirations. The UAE, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the founder, Sheikh Zayed, always stressed the need to support the sons and daughters of Palestine, and enable them to achieve a bright future, and that the future is, without question, with the beloved Palestine and Jerusalem as its capital.
He expressed his pleasure to participate in the celebration of Taawon’s 35th anniversary as a role model for national commitment, independence and professionalism. It is thus a vivid embodiment of achievement and giving, a living embodiment of its own slogan: "investment, inspiration, and innovation; a path of excellence." He expressed a clear and explicit expression of the commitment of Taawon to the development of every individual to live a free and dignified life.
In turn, during his speech, Mr. Faisal Alami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, expressed the respect and appreciation of the Palestinian people for the honorable and supportive position of the Palestinian cause, by the UAE and its government under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
He addressed the dangers facing Palestine since the Balfour Declaration 100 years ago until today, and most recently the declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the military escalation in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and aid cut off from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and the reflection of all these developments on the living and economic conditions of our people in the occupied territories. "In light of the serious situation, the responsibilities and burdens on our institution are growing and we need to continue our development more firmly to support the steadfastness of our people in Palestine," he said.
Mr. Alami also pointed out that Taawon has invested over $800M USD since its establishment through its various programs which target wide categories of the Palestinian people and institutions especially children, women, youth and people with special needs. He stressed that the achievements of Taawon have been acknowledged at national and international levels as a result of developing strategic plans that meet needs, and to subjecting its programs to rigorous evaluations and audits.
During the dinner, Taawon presented a series of short films about Taawon and its programs being implemented in Palestine and the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. At the end of the dinner, the Tunisian renowned artist Lutfi Bouchnaq presented a selection of his songs dedicated to Palestine and its people.