RIYADH — Alwaleed Philanthropies (AP), chaired by Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, sponsored the recently concluded Al-Janadriyah National Festival of Heritage and Culture. It offered a number of unique and diverse activities, with more than 100 participants in the Alwaleed Philanthropies section and a growing number of youth volunteers. The volunteers were a positive representation of the emerging generation of Saudi citizens. The Alwaleed Foundation has supported nearly 100 participants from the productive families and leading Saudi youth from all regions of the Kingdom. The AP supported the Saudi productive families and young Saudi entrepreneurs, between the ages of 16-30 years who offered local products on Instagram. They were encouraged to benefit from this festival by displaying their products and promoting their talents in the "Insta-shop" provided space, a section dedicated to young Saudi vendors who utilized technology to develop entrepreneurial skills. The AP also supported painters and artisans by allowing them to display their work. The community and especially children were encouraged to produce artwork that illustrates their support and appreciation to the Saudi troops at the southern Saudi borders. The traditional folk arts such as the Saudi arda and the samry were performed to showcase a living piece of the country's history, and were brought to attract visitors into the AP section in support of the productive families and "Insta-Matjar" youth. The Alwaleed Philanthropies' partners demonstrated unique live simulations of different projects on-ground highlighting the foundation's focus areas. A Syrian refugee tent was brought from a refugee camp in Lebanon to demonstrate the living conditions Syrian refugees are enduring this winter. The goal of the on-ground experience was to spread awareness on the Tweet for heat campaign, and encourage visitors to donate through the United Nation's TweetforHeat.com website. Princess Lamia Bint Majid, executive manager of public relations & media said the increasing number of Saudi volunteers deserves recognition and support from the concerned authorities. The participation of Saudi Scouts (Messengers of Peace) by the World Scout Foundation in the Alwaleed Philanthropies section was clear evidence that a generation of cultivated patriotism and loyalty is born amongst a community which invests in its youth."
