The Welfare Association’s Board Members Dr. Munib Masri, Mr. Omar Qattan, and Director General Dr. Atallah Kuttab, attended a two-day conference in Dubai entitled ‘From Charity to Change: Trends in Arab Philanthropy’ on January 20-21, 2008.

The conference, sponsored by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and the JohnD. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement at the American University in Cairo, launched the report on the situation of philanthropy in eight Arab countries. In addition, it discussed ways to institutionalize and coordinate philanthropic efforts in the Arab region.

Dr. Kuttab moderated one session which highlighted the obstacles facing the philanthropic sector in the Arab region and identified suggestions for change. The session also highlighted trends in international philanthropy and its impact on the region. Mr. Qattan moderated another session on building effective partnerships and sectoral networks, the session discussed how philanthropists can maximize the return on their social investment.

The conferees called for developing a partnership with private sector institutions to promote and enhance philanthropy. They also stressed on the importance of strategic ways to monitor and regulate charity, set clear objectives and achieve goals within appropriate legal parameters to ensure the highest levels of transparency.