Prince Misha'l Bin Majed Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Jeddah and the chairman of the Society of Majed Bin Abdul Aziz for Development and Social Services, and Dr. Yousuf Al-Othaimeen, Minister of Social Affairs, announced on Tuesday that the Social Development Forum under the theme “From Sponsorship to Sustainability” would be held under the patronage of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region, on June 6-8. According to Prince Misha'l, the forum is a milestone in the social development of Saudi Arabia. “The forum will gather together international experts from Arab and other countries to discuss their practical experience in the field,” he said. “The Kingdom is proud to be the first to hold a forum to discuss social development at such a high level complying with the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to adopt scientific institutional systems to achieve public growth activities,” Prince Misha'l added. Our basic message in holding the forum is to develop partnerships in various fields and to make maximum use of local and international expertise through the exchange of knowledge and experience. Al-Othaimeen said that the forum aims to achieve several objectives, such as, defining development and social work, enhancing the performance and capabilities of non-profit associations, and supporting communication between them and the institutions of civil society. “ The forum deals with a number of key themes, including the redefining of partnerships in order to achieve the required development, sustainable development and how to achieve it, and the way to ensure quality and performance standards,” Al-Othaimeen said. “It will also address some local success stories and how to develop and make use of them as many people think that only foreigners have successful stories which is wrong,” he added. Several agencies and associations from the government and private sector will participate in the forum, such as, charities and civil society associations, which will participate in workshops. “The workshops will have a positive impact on corporate directors and the heads of public relations departments by discussing strategic planning, financial resource management and investment, in addition to marketing and human resources development,” Al-Othaimeen explained. The Society of Majed Bin Abdul Aziz for Development and Social Services has set up an official website for those who wish to register for the forum and view the schedule of the forum's events.
