Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, stressed that since the foundation of the nation by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a culture of giving and charity has been promoted and strengthened among Emiratis.

The declaration of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, designating 2017 as the Year of Giving, was based on three points social responsibility, volunteering and national service as an actual reflection of the culture of giving, which is the basis of the establishment of the nation, he said.

The Ministry of Culture has implemented the vision of the wise leadership in the cultural and knowledge field by holding some 31 initiatives and events throughout the year for the community.

The Zayed Giving Caravan is considered one of the most important initiatives, with some 160 federal and local authorities, as well as private sector institutions participating in it, he remarked.

It aims to raise the cultural, intellectual and knowledge-based awareness of families and people for two days, and reaches out to remote locations throughout the country.

The caravan consists of many activities that are based on the values of giving, as stated in the declaration of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and they include theatre performances, heritage shows, poetry nights, cultural competitions, youth training courses, product encouragement, as well as providing schools with books and performing entertainment shows for children.

The Ministry of Culture holds comprehensive media campaigns and advertisements on the Year of Giving, which is aimed at promoting loyalty towards the nation and the wise leadership, as well as protecting the legacy of its founding fathers, and strengthening the values of co-existence and tolerance among the different cultures and nationalities. It also seeks to highlight the importance of volunteering. These advertisements are broadcast in all media channels, social media outlets and cinema houses, he noted.

Referring to the reading district councils organised by the ministry, he said it was one of the activities in the Year of Giving to promote knowledge in all the districts of the Emirates. Some 12 intellectual and cultural figures were selected to convey their experience to the youth, and promote their positive impact on society through sessions organised by the districts councils. He noted that more than 2,000 young people, university students and parents participated in these activities.