Boston Consulting Group Holds Its First Community Service Day

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) held its first Community Service Day on Thursday, October 5^th 2017. The event, in line with BCG’s Social Impact Mission and core corporate values, welcomed over 350 BCG employees, who spent the day giving back to the UAE community through a variety of initiatives in collaboration with local NGOs. BCG worked together with organizations including the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education, Al Noor Center, Careem, Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, Stray Dogs UAQ, Mission to Seafarers and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3).

“Unequal access to resources, opportunities, and outcomes are a major source of global instability. It is the problem of our time, and that is why at BCG we have made a major institutional commitment to Social Impact and in giving back to the community of the UAE. Our 2017 Community Service Day was a great success and we extend our gratitude to our staff who participated, as well as our valued partners,” said Joerg Hildebrandt, Senior Partner & Managing Director at BCG Middle East.

BCG’s Social Impact Mission brings together social, public, and private sectors to deliver frame-breaking solutions to some of the most complex problems in contemporary society. Through this, BCG brings its traditional emphasis on in-depth analytics, strategic insight, and the innovative application of digital technologies to magnify the influence of its social impact partners on major issues, ranging from global health to sustainable economic development.

“We are pleased our scholars were part of BCG’s Community Service Day. This event was a good example of how the private sector can have a positive impact through preparing young people to succeed in their future careers,” said Maysa Jalbout, CEO of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education.

Each of the partner NGOs project had its unique impact. The Emirates Driving Association pledged to collect rubbish from the beach to help protect and restore the UAE's marine environment, while the Mission to Seafarers prepared gift packs for 300 needy seafarers in Dubai and visit them at the designated port. This gave BCG employees a unique opportunity to explore the lives of ship crew living far from comfort and facilities of home, in the isolation of the ocean.

Demonstrating its commitment to educating Blue-collar workers about the use of technology for learning, the Smartlife Foundation gave BCG employees an opportunity to know the people who build and run our cities. BCG also partnered with the Dubai Centre for Special Needs to enrich the development of the students and share some joy through musical sessions and creative painting activities.

Other partners included the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children to help instill confidence and mindfulness for current occupants through uplifting activities such as makeovers and yoga; the Al Noor Training Centre who worked one-on-one with students for selected activities during the day, including simple academics, self-help skills, sports and library sessions. BCG also worked in cooperation with C3, Womena and DTEC, three local incubators hosting social entrepreneurs to guide them with their venture, in a collaborative exercise to develop a solution to one of their current challenges.

BCG Community Service Day gave BCG employees an opportunity to bring a new lease on life to those who are unable to speak and fend for themselves with Stray Dogs UAQ. The day also enabled them to share real life skills with students that would empower them to excel in the professional world with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education; and work with Careem to offer its Captains’ personal and social development through one on one sessions.