General Electric Company (GE) employees in the UAE joined the nation in ‘Standing Up’ to end poverty as part of a global campaign to support the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of eradicating poverty.
In the UAE, the ‘Stand Up & Speak Out’ campaign was held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, UN Messenger of Peace, Chairperson of International Humanitarian City and wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
Employees from the various GE businesses in the UAE assembled at the corporate headquarters at Dubai Internet City to take a pledge to act towards mitigating global poverty and hunger.
It is estimated that more 471 million people will live in poverty in less developed countries by 2010. Over 800 million people go to bed hungry every night out of which 300 million are children. Eight percent of these 300 million are victims of famine or other emergency situations.
Nabil Habayeb, GE’s President and CEO for the Middle East and Africa region, said the participation of GE employees in the campaign highlights the company’s corporate social responsibility and commitment to partner in initiatives that have far-reaching global significance.
“GE has been an active partner in the socio-economic growth of nations across the world by driving diverse projects in overall infrastructure development and healthcare. Our public and private partnerships have enabled us to bring about significant improvements to the lives of millions of people. This is complemented by our own GE Volunteers initiative that focuses on community development. By participating in the ‘Stand Up’ campaign, we are joining hands in the global drive for an equitable world,” he said.
Some 175 GE Volunteer Councils in 46 countries and over 100,000 volunteers undertake over 1 million hours of community service every year. GE Volunteers places emphasis on education, environment, healthcare and overall community development.
The UN Millennium Development Goals are supported and reinforced by the United Nations Millennium Campaign, a U.N. initiative to support and encourage people’s involvement and actions.