Ten Saudi young men and women, selected in the Saudi Non-Profit Fellowship Program "Shaghaf", King Khalid Foundation (KKF) are to be provided with professional guidance as they advance to the second phase of the program. The program has been set up in partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The head of Middle East Relations at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Hassan Damluji attended the workshop at the KKF headquarters here. The theme of the session was focused on reviewing the progress achieved in the results of the first phase of the program, as well as answering all inquiries and questions raised by those selected for the program about the future of work in the non-profit sector in Saudi Arabia and the major challenges facing its organizations in the region. The attendees were also given guidance and support through providing information and presenting typical international experiences in this field. "KKF is relying heavily on the outcomes of this program on the long term. Our goal is to further enhance the NPO practice in KSA by preparing potential professionals with the right competencies and expertise, and as well to raise the quality of services provided by this sector," the Director General of KKF, Princess Al Bandari Bint Abdulrahman Al-Faisal, said KKF will provide those selected in the Shaghaf program with professional guidance concerning opportunities or challenges they may encounter in their work until the end of this year. Winners of the first edition of Shaghaf are being prepared to move to the second phase, which includes participation in an intensive training program on the management of NPOs in one of the prestigious universities in the world this summer. Damluji expressed his pleasure to meet with this group of talented Saudi youth who initiated their career with "Shaghaf", as "they are the future of the Kingdom and the region as a whole." He stressed that Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation feels enthusiastic about the winners who started their careers by focusing on the NPO sector, as it has a profound impact in enhancing the bonds of national cooperation. Damluji also expressed his confidence that this group will lead the future of the non-profit sector in Saudi Arabia and at the global level and will set a good example for Saudi youth in KSA. "Shaghaf" program was launched last year. Shaghaf attracted 10 Saudi fresh graduates of both genders to work in the NPO sector in the Kingdom in order to participate in upgrading the quality level of its services, and apply the knowledge gained from outside the Kingdom to introduce positive changes to non-profit organizations operating in the Kingdom. — SG
