- Ceremony held to recognize MBRHE accomplishments and emphasize educational campaigns
MRHE celebrated UN World Habitat Day 2009 in a ceremony held at Mushrif Park (International Village Area), Dubai, on Monday, October 5
th. The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day. The idea is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat. The United Nations chose the theme
Planning our urban future to raise awareness of the need to improve urban planning to deal with new major challenges of the 21st century.
During the ceremony, which was attended by top executives from MBRHE and other government entities, Mr. Sami Gargash, CEO of MRHE, recognized the UAE housing program’s major accomplishments in the last year and the establishment’s goals for 2010.
The ceremony featured a number of community events, although it was MRHE workshops that were the real centre of attention. Dedicated to raising awareness of housing challenges in the UAE, the workshops focused on agricultural sustainability, the importance of comprehensive infrastructure planning, and community-building from a social-behaviour perspective. In addition, the ceremony featured: a photo gallery detailing the development of MRHE projects in the UAE; exhibits detailing Dubai’s overall architectural growth plan; speeches by top MBRHE executives, including the organization’s CEO Mr. Sami Gargash; and several UAE cultural activities.
Commenting on World Habitat Day 2009 in his speech, Mr. Gargash said:
“MBRHE admires the deep commitment that organizations like the UN have shown in encouraging housing as a fundamental human right. As we celebrate the progress that MBRHE has made in 2009, we must reaffirm our commitment to bringing the highest international standards in community development to the UAE.”
The UN World Habitat Day is meant to encourage people to reflect on the state of their own communities and the basic right of all people to adequate shelter, reminding the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.
In line with the UN Human Settlements Programme, this year’s MBRHE ceremony placed a special emphasis on engaging younger audiences. Through special contests and youth-oriented attractions, the value of preserving one’s surrounding environment, and why housing is an inalienable human right. Two characters from
Shaabiyat Al Cartoon—a program which explores community-building issues in the Arab world—were present to reinforce the message to young audiences.
“MBRHE seeks to attract the attention of the entire UAE to the importance of housing, which plays a determining role in the health, productivity, and social well-being of the UAE,” commented Mr. Gargash.
Since its establishment in 2006, MBRHE has worked tirelessly to provide Emirati families with housing accommodations through non-profit financing and philanthropic partnerships. Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, the establishment has delivered a great number of villas to Dubai families. Candidates for the housing program are considered according to set government criteria, and partnerships are built on a first-come first-served basis. Expanding its activities in 2009, MBRHE has also completed a number of infrastructure projects aimed at improving roads, expanding green areas, building new service outlets, and designing comprehensive housing developments.
