Consortium Dubai, Dubai’s premier executive networking club and an initiative of TECOM Investments, will auction a signed photograph of Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali at its upcoming ‘In Honor of Africa’ Benefit Dinner. To be held in Dubai on 16th December, 2005, at The Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the event will support global initiatives dedicated to alleviating poverty in Africa, and encourage businesses in the Arab world to respond to this international social crisis. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, all proceeds of the event will be donated to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
In support of Consortium Dubai’s initiative, Nelson Mandela wrote, “Business leaders in the Arab world have a historical opportunity to open the door to hope and the possibility of a better future for all. I am pleased to support Dubai’s ‘In Honor of Africa’ Benefit Dinner, and I commend Consortium Dubai, TECOM Investments, and the Dubai International Film Festival for their initiative in encouraging businesses in the Arab world to join the global fight against poverty and HIV/AIDS.”
Mr. Ahmad Bin Byat, CEO of TECOM Investments said, “Consortium Dubai is proud to promote corporate social responsibility among its member businesses, and have extended our support to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, an organisation that has played a stellar role in raising global awareness about some of the critical problems Africa faces today. We in the Arab world have an opportunity to make a difference to the larger global society we are part of. As leading members of the Arab world's business community, I urge you to join the global fight against poverty.”
The event is being held in association with the Dubai International Film Festival, which is this year featuring an ‘In Honor of Africa’ program to showcase African cinema. VIP guests from the film festival, including Morgan Freeman and other prominent regional and international celebrities, are also expected to attend.
The benefit dinner will be preceded by an invitation only, special screening of Anant Singh’s Oscar-nominated Yesterday, a film which is part of the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s 46664 global campaign against AIDS, followed by a VIP networking reception prior to the Opening Address at 9 pm. Anant Singh, producer of Yesterday and the forthcoming biopic of Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk To Freedom starring Morgan Freeman, said, “YESTERDAY honors the women of Africa and the world and it is with great pride that we present our film to you for its Middle Eastern Premiere as a fundraiser for TECOM. We are very excited to have received South Africa’s first Oscar nomination for YESTERDAY and for it to be a part of the Dubai International Film Festival.”
Guests will also be offered the opportunity to bid for a signed photograph of Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali for auction at the event, and international artist Patricia Millns and Emirati artist Dr. Najat Makki have also generously donated their artworks for auction in support of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Ms. Patricia Millns said, “I am privileged to be able to do this, and I am delighted to donate my canvas to support the fundraising drive because I demand to be involved in my world and I truly believe that there is no such thing as innocent bystanding.”
Headline sponsor for this event is Dubai Holding, a member of the World Economic Forum, in strategic partnership with the Dubai International Financial Centre. The event is also supported by Arab Media Group and Ericsson.
Corporate table bookings for the ‘In Honor of Africa’ Benefit Dinner are now available for a donation of US$10,000 (for ten guests), inclusive of a three course set menu dinner and all beverages. Individual tickets can also be purchased for a donation of US$1,200 per person.
For more information on the benefit dinner, please visit www.itp.net/tickets.
About Consortium Dubai - Under the guiding principles of “Inform, Inspire, Interact”, Consortium Dubai facilitates international business relationships, fostering networking, and providing a structured forum in which these relationships can be cultivated. Consortium is managed exclusively by TECOM Investments and strives to support international social causes and promote corporate social responsibility among global businesses. Membership to Consortium is strictly limited to C-suite executives who have an affinity with and a keen interest in doing business in Dubai, and applications are only considered by personal recommendation.Consortium will host six key corporate events every year, giving members regular opportunities to interact with like-minded individuals and key business personalities. These include corporate evenings with international guest speakers, charity fundraiser galas, and networking receptions covering a range of industries across Dubai, London, Mumbai, and New York. Consortium’s International Partners include The Fairmont Dubai, an icon in the heart of Dubai’s business community, Motivate Publishing, publishers of Dubai’s leading business resources, Quintessentially, the global private members’ club and luxury concierge service, and Skywards, Emirates Airline’s award-winning frequent flyer program. All services such as business introductions to other members will be conducted through the club’s website, www.consortiumdubai.com
About the Nelson Mandela Foundation - Living the Legacy: The most significant achievement on the part of the Nelson Mandela Foundation in 2002 was being able to bring the Foundation in line with Mr. Mandela’s two major concerns: making a difference on the HIV/AIDS issue and improving the situation of children in rural schools. His earlier efforts in these spheres gave the Foundation a very good start and one of the challenges was to make its impact more sustainable. The Foundation also reached 15 schools as part of a larger initiative to help improve the quality of education in poor communities. In essence the work of the Nelson Mandela Foundation is making a difference to the lives of people, mainly rural people, who live in poverty. It is about breaking through conventional ways of viewing the world and placing the best capacities behind the social challenges that we face. The Foundation is not a research organisation. Its interest in generating new knowledge stems from its recognition that understanding the world is not enough. Knowledge should enable us to change and improve the world. Living the legacy of Nelson Mandela means incorporating his values into the work that we do. And that doesn’t only refer to content; it refers to how we work. There has to be a high degree of professionalism, passion and commitment to push the boundaries of change. There has to be openness and transparency. And above all, there has to be the belief that no one person or organisation has all the answers.
