Al-Ruwaieh: Paradigm shift in strategy of sustainable development in 2018

KUWAIT: "Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has successfully wrapped up the year 2018 by offering nearly 220 initiatives and contributions in the corporate social responsibility. This encompassed the fields of health, education, sport, youth, people with special needs, and people with outstanding achievements in inventions, science, cultures and other fields", said Executive Manager Group Public Relations and Media at KFH, Yousef Abdullah Al-Ruwaieh, indicating the Bank is keen to implement inclusiveness and diversity in the strategy of social responsibility.

Youth
Since the youth are a key pillar of KFH's strategy, the Bank launched a comprehensive and integrated youth campaign, which included a variety of services, products, events, activities and surprises. It also included awards and unprecedented rewards to this segment.

KFH also continued its strategic partnership with the Youth Empowerment Symposium dedicated for empowering the youth and granting them the opportunity to benefit from global leaders' expertise and their success stories.

He indicated that the group of national champions who joined KFH program under the theme "KFH entrepreneurs" has expanded. This incarnates the Bank's keenness to recognize those who contribute in raising the Kuwaiti flag high in the international forums and championships, while confirming its instrumental role in the corporate social responsibility.

Students
Al-Ruwaieh continued: "KFH prioritized the youth and is the leading supporter for them at all levels. KFH sponsored the students and youth specialized clubs at the University of Kuwait and other private universities. The bank sponsored the graduation projects for the students of Engineering and Petroleum College. It organized many lectures and seminars for university students, not to mention hosted international scholars to participate in job fairs and different students' activities. This reiterates the Bank's endeavors to support the youth, students and the educational process.

Moreover, KFH organized an honoring ceremony to recognize 120 students of the distinguished graduates of the secondary schools for the academic year 2017/2018.

Encouraging startups
KFH offered a KFH People's Choice Start-Up Award to the winner of startup battle competitions in the Arab Net conference. KFH issued its annual Corporate Social Responsibility CSR Report. This report generally highlights the bank's initiatives and accomplishments. It can be a reference for other institutions to follow suit.

All-New Quran App
KFH launched the high-quality version 4 of the Holy Quran Application available on App Store for IPhone and IPad users with enhanced features of which are a novel display design, compatibility with different languages and screen orientation; horizontal and vertical. This is a gift from KFH to all users around the globe.

Health
Al-Ruwaieh added that KFH has signed strategic partnerships with many institutions to support several activities in the health and medical field for its significant role in the life of individuals and development of society. KFH pays great attention to this vital field as it represents a main pillar for comprehensive development. KFH participated in the cancer and diabetes awareness campaigns and organized many events to raise the awareness among society individuals. Moreover, the Bank sponsored scientific and medical forums and conferences to raise the awareness of some widespread diseases. KFH has been honored and recognized by several official bodies such as the Ministry of Health, Dasman Diabetes Institute in addition to several hospitals and medical institutions in recognition of its key role in participating in the events that are meant to raise the health awareness in the society.

Environment
He stressed the importance of environment noting that KFH pays great attention towards keeping the environment clean and healthy in collaboration with concerned official authorities and bodies. KFH signed a cooperation agreement with 'Agrivage'; a startup business created by a group of Kuwaiti students, with the purpose of preserving the environment by recycling food waste and converting it into usable rich soil. KFH uniquely sponsored a pioneering environmental project Umnia for Plastic bottles recycling. This small project has now become a factory for recycling. The Bank took part in many other environmental activities and events such as cleaning the beaches, planting of greenery and holding events for school students to encourage planting and greening.

Distributing 27000 Iftar meals
KFH Ramadan Campaign witnessed great success and received huge recognition. The bank launched a plethora of initiatives of which were feeding fasting people, serving worshippers during Qiyam prayer in the Grand Mosque. Also, KFH distributed 27000 iftar meals and participated in distributing 100000 iftar meals in collaboration with "Ramadan Aman" campaign.

Awards and recognition
KFH was hailed by several local and global institutions in recognition of its pioneering role in strengthening the pillars of sustainable social development. The awards are: "Humanitarian and Voluntary" award from Arab Media Forum, in addition to "Excellence in Public Relations" Award, and "Excellence in Social Responsibility" award from the Advertising Creativity Conference 2018. Also, KFH received "PR Star 2018" award by the Arab Media Forum - observer member of the Council of Arab Information Ministers and the Standing Committee for Information.