Intel launch innovation initiative "Inara" at the 12th annual CSR Summit Dubai 20.05.2015: Organisations honoured for CSR commitment at inaugural MENA CSR Excellence

Organisations honoured for CSR commitment at inaugural MENA CSR Excellence Awards brought to you by Etisalat




photo caption:  H.E Khaled Al Kamda, Director General, Community Development Authority from the Government of Dubai delivers keynote address on opening day of CSR Summit.


A new initiative has been unveiled at the CSR Summit presented by Etisalat in Dubai this week to inspire the next generation of innovators in education, science and technology, and entrepreneurship.


The ‘INARA’ campaign, developed by Intel Corporation as part of its 10 year anniversary in the Arab world, will enable the knowledge based economy in the Middle East to engage with young people and encourage them to lead the region’s future digital space.


Speaking at the 12th annual CSR Summit at The Address Dubai Marina hotel, Taha Khalifa, Regional General Manager MENA at Intel Corporation, said: “At Intel we believe that enlightening the youth with the 21st century skills, combined with a strong focus on maths and science has become a necessity in the highly competitive and fast changing global job market.


“The INARA initiative aims to build on Intel’s efforts in education, science and technology, and entrepreneurship to enable young innovators to become leaders in the future of the region’s digital economy.”


In collaboration with governments, educators, NGO’s and industry leaders, the multinational technology company is helping to transform education, expanding local research initiatives, and applying state-of-the-art technologies to increase local talent, enabling countries to compete in the global economy.


INARA 2019 is aiming to enable 1 million knowledge-based citizens to increase their contribution to economic growth and country competitiveness, and create a technology movement throughout Middle East and North Africa countries to drive innovative solutions to address global and local challenges.


The initiative also aims to foster regional scientific and technology research with more than 450,000 young scientists participating in local fairs by 2019, leading the development of an online Arabic education company to enable 21st century learning and engage over 300,000 educators in the community by 2019.



Taha Khalifa, Regional General Manager MENA, Intel Corporation discusses INARA Innovation Programme at 12th annual CSR Summit.


Taha Khalifa is one of more than 50 international and regional experts who took to the stage at the CSR Summit, held under the patronage of HE Khaled Al Kamda, Director General, and Community Development Authority from the Government of Dubai who delivered the keynote address on the opening day. 


Intel Corporation was also recognised for its best practice CSR initiatives as the company won two awards at the inaugural MENA CSR Excellence Awards, brought to you by Etisalat.  They won the best CSR impact initiative and education improvement award.  The VIP ceremony on Tuesday 19 May honoured organisations embodying the principals of corporate responsibility in their philosophy and operations.


Amongst the winners, Unilever was named as the Best CSR Integrated Business, Zain Jordan won the Employment Generation Award, and Jusoor came top in the Female Empowerment Programme category.



MENA CSR Excellence Award Winners


§    Education Improvement    Intel Corporation
§    Community Development    Daman National Health Insurance Company ActiveLife
§    Employment Generation    Zain Jordan
§    Environmental Sustainability    arcenciel
§    Female Empowerment Programme    Jusoor
§    Best CSR Impact Initiative    Intel Corporation
§    Best CSR Integrated Business    Unilever
§    Best NGO / NPO Award    Egyptian Food Bank



The winners of the 2015 MENA CSR Awards celebrated their achievements last night at the Address Hotel, Dubai Marina.



Led by an expert panel of key stakeholders, the awards recognised the outstanding achievements of organisations and teams that have contributed to the development of the CSR and sustainability agenda in the MENA region.


The winners demonstrated an ongoing commitment to supporting the country’s society, economy, environment and culture through empowering their youth, generating employment, fostering social entrepreneurship, building their community, strengthening the education system and developing female capabilities. 


The CSR Summit is supported by Strategic Partner Etisalat; Gold Sponsor PepsiCo Asia, Middle East and Africa; Official Healthcare Sponsor SANOFI; Innovation Partner intel; and Silver Sponsors Unilever and Canon, while Friends of Cancer Patients is the official event charity. 



- Katie Johnston, Total Communications Dubai -also photos