day social development forum, “From Charitable to Sustainable… Activating Partnerships,” kicked off Saturday at the Jeddah Hilton. The event, organized under the patronage of Prince Khaled Al- Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region, includes 60 speakers who will present research on sustainable development and the effects public-private partnerships and non-profit organizations have on it. “This forum is considered a good way to appreciate the great works of Prince Majed Bin Abdul Aziz,” Prince Khaled said. “I would like to thank the organizers and I hope this forum will be one way of reaching the developed world.” The forum will have more than 20 sessions and 11 workshops. Prince Misha'l Bin Majed, Jeddah Governor, said there should be programs involving the private sector to help needy people become more self-reliant. “This forum is a part of intensifying the social charitable work through partnership with the private sector,” he said. Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimain, Minister of Social Affairs, said partnerships relating to sustainability are a form of developing social work in Saudi Arabia. “Sustainability is the natural development of providing food for the people, under a social network,” he said. “This forum will play a vital role to intensify the work for humanity, which is shared by both the government and private sectors and a great contribution to national development,” said Princess Al-Bandari Bint Abdul Al-Rahman Al-Faisal, General Manager of the King Khaled Foundation. She added that the King Khaled Foundation has created its strategic plan based on non-profit work to find solutions for social and economic problems facing the Saudi people. She also launched the Institute of Social Development, which is sponsored by the foundation. Mahatir Mohammed, former prime minister of Malaysia, presented his country's experience in social work, which he said is based on the Chinese proverb that if you give a man a fish, he eats one meal, but if you teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime. The opening ceremony included a documentary about Prince Majed Bin Abdul Aziz Social Society.
