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  • 24th – 27th October, 2022

    World Volunteer Conference 2022

    ADNOC Business Center - Abu Dhabi, UAE

    Register Now Learn More
  • 24th – 27th October, 2022

    World Volunteer Conference 2022

    ADNOC Business Center - Abu Dhabi, UAE

    Register Now Learn More
  • 24th – 27th October, 2022

    World Volunteer Conference 2022

    ADNOC Business Center - Abu Dhabi, UAE

    Register Now Learn More

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Welcome to the

26th IAVE World Volunteer Conference

The International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) unanimously selected Abu Dhabi as the host city for the 26th World Volunteer Conference in October 2022 — the largest global gathering of volunteering experts and practitioners.
The conference aims to create an environment that encourages networking, sharing of knowledge, and continuous learning for all those who believe volunteering improves their communities and the lives of those who volunteer, and is a strategic asset to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Hosted for the first time in the Middle East, the 26th IAVE World Volunteer Conference will be hosted by the Emirates Foundation, the national organization of the UAE set up by the Abu Dhabi Government to facilitate public-private funded initiatives to strengthen community resilience.
Emirates Foundation shapes, guides and delivers innovative volunteering programs that increasingly encourage community members to volunteer, with far-reaching national impact
The conference is expected to attract around 1000 participants from more than 100 countries, representing all the stakeholders of the volunteer community, including individual leaders, civil society organizations, government agencies, academia and businesses.

Conference Program

  • First Day Oct 24th 2022
  • Second Day Oct 25th, 2022
  • Third Day Oct 26th, 2022
  • Fourth Day Oct 27th, 2022

Volunteering for the Common Good 2022

Making Life Better for People and Communities​
ADNOC Business Center - Abu Dhabi
A Brief About the Conference:​
Collectively the world’s volunteering is an expression of civic engagement that in very practical ways builds the community cohesion and resilience that are fundamental to making life better for people and communities.
At the 2022 World Volunteer Conference IAVE and the Emirates Foundation will seek to encourage volunteerism as an important part of creating a more equal and inclusive future for communities, recognize the tireless work of volunteers across the globe, and celebrate their exceptional volunteer response to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
They also want to acknowledge that volunteer engagement and volunteering leadership is needed more than ever to help address the world’s most pressing challenges.​
18:00 - 21:00

WVC 2022 OPENING CEREMONY AND GALA DINNER​

Dar Al Istiqbal Ballroom - Intercontinental Abu Dhabi
Speakers
  • Emirates Foundation
  • Ruth Lewin, Chairperson, IAVE Board of Directors, South Africa
    • Welcome Remarks​
    • Mary Ripley Award​
    • Presentation of IAVE Life Membership Awards​
8:30 - 9:30

Registration

9:30 - 9:40

Welcome Note and HSE briefing

9:40 - 9:50

Opening Remarks

  • H.E. Ahmed Al Shamsi, CEO, Emirates Foundation
  • H.E. Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, UAE​
9:50 - 10:15

Welcome Remarks

  • Nichole Cirillo, Executive Director, IAVE
  • Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, Managing Director, TotalEnergies Foundation
  • Thomas Boesen, VP Middle East, Borealis
10:15 - 10:30

Keynote session: Change Happens When People Volunteer

  • David Ponet, UNICEF, USA
10:30 - 11:30

Plenary [I]: Volunteering for the Common Good: Making Life Better for People and Communities

Session Keynote:
  • H.E. Hassan Mohamed Bouhaza, President of the Arab Volunteer Union – Bahrain
Speakers
  • H.E Mohammad Al Blooshi, Executive Director - Office of Strategic Affairs, Department of Community Development, UAE​
  • Mashael Al-Mubarak, General Director Of Volunteering at The Ministry Of Human Resources and Social Development, KSA
  • Abdulla Al Shehhi, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Cares, UAE
  • Ismael Al Sawafi, Sr. Manager of CSR and Public Relations at Oman LNG Development Foundation, Sultanate of Oman
  • Ahmed Al Falasi, winner of 2020 Arab Hope Makers Award​
Moderated by: Al Anoud Al Sawai, Strategy and Policy Expert, UAE
11:30 - 12:00

Networking coffee break

12:00 - 13:30

Plenary [II]: Corporate Volunteering for a Post Pandemic World

Speakers
  • Dr Tania Haddad, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
  • Andronica Mabuya, Discovery, South Africa
  • Stephanie Franco, Telus, Canada
  • Gauri Rajadhyaksha, Tata & Sons, India
Successes and lessons learned
Speakers
  • Nivine Sbaheih, Sr. VP and Head of Strategic Partnerships, First Abu Dhabi Bank, UAE​
  • Cora Chavardes, Employees' Solidarity Commitment/TotalEngergies, France​
Moderated by: Dr Kenn Allen, IAVE, USA
13:30 - 15:00

Networking Lunch / IAVE Members Meeting

15:00 – 16:15

Four forums running in parallel

The forums highlight thought leadership about volunteering and showcase volunteer impact. these will consider volunteering in relation to four key global challenges all with relevance to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Forum 1: Building More Tolerant and Inclusive Communities
Speakers
  • Francesco Volpini, CCIVS, Italy
  • Emma Morley, UNV, UK
  • Sofia Mejia, Habitat International, Costa Rica
Moderator:
Elizabeth Nkiruka Okezie, IAVE Board Member, Nigeria
Forum 2: Tackling The Issue of Climate Change
Speakers
  • Dr. Peter Devereux, Murdoch University, Australia
  • Brisa Ceccon, Wikimedia Foundation, Mexico
  • Arjun Kumar Bhattarai, Nepal Development Initiative, Nepal
  • Amy Bray, Another Way, UK [Video]​
Moderator:
Paul Sully, Jamaica Conservation & Development Trust, Jamaica
Forum 3: Supporting A More Peaceful and Secure World
Speakers
  • Karen Miller, Democracy International, USA
  • Amjad Saleem, IFRC, Geneva
  • Arthur Larok, Actionaid, Uganda
Moderator:
Denise Hayward, Volunteer Now, Northern Ireland, UK
Forum 4: Providing Equitable and Progressive Opportunities for All
Speakers
  • Colin Rogers, Plan International, UK
  • Abdulla Al Shehhi, COO, Dubai Cares, UAE
  • Dr Saleh Mubarak Bazead, Nama Foundation, Malaysia
Moderator:
James O’Brien, Forum, Ireland
16:15 – 16:45

Networking coffee break

16:45 – 18:15

6 practice seminars running in parallel

The practice seminars will explore six themes with different topics over two days.
Through expert input and case studies they will highlight key practice issues, providing information, sharing experience and expertise.
Partnerships
Building effective partnerships to deliver change through volunteering
Expert:
  • Dr Jacob Mwathi Mati, Center on African Philanthropy And Social Investment, Wits Business School, South Africa
Speakers
  • Paul Sully, Jamaica Conservation & Development Trust, Jamaica
  • Amaru Liendo, Dividendo Voluntario Papa la Comunidad, A,C, Venezuela
  • Felicitie Walls, Wales Council for Voluntary Action, Wales, UK
Moderated by Helge Espe, NOREC, Norway
 Corporate social responsibility
Developing skills-based volunteering programs
Expert:
  • Dr Kenn Allen, IAVE, USA
Speakers
  • Jamilla Cowan, Dell Technologies, USA
  • Mark Moravits, Viasat, USA
  • Eva Halper, Credit Suisse, UK
Moderated by Benedetta Falletti, Voluntare, Spain
Youth volunteering
Creating an environment to enable youth volunteering to flourish
Expert:
  • Dr Mohsen Gul, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, UK
Speakers
  • Mary Mlambo, Lungelo Youth Development, South Africa
  • Mauricio Fuentes, Youth National Institute of Chile
  • Lucien Alexander Anatol, I Have a Right Foundation Inc, Dominica
Moderated by Debbie Huang, Volunteering Taiwan, Chinese Taipei
 Technological transformation
Overcoming challenges and maximizing opportunities
Expert:
  • Tony Goodrow, Better Impact, Canada
Speakers
  • Denise Hayward, Volunteer Now, Northern Ireland, UK
  • Gabriel Kastrup de Faro, Atados, Brazil
  • Tinatin Meskhi, Helping Hand, Georgia
Moderated by Fred Sadia, VIO Society, Kenya
Resilient communities
Enabling community cohesion and embracing diversity
Expert:
  • Dr Alice Chadwick El-Ali, UKCDR, UK
Speakers
  • Adil Issah, Caring Volunteers Network, Ghana
  • Zsé Varga, Volunteer Ireland
  • Paul Buenconsejo, Philippine Coalition on Volunteerism, Philippines
Moderated by Wolfgang Krell, IAVE Board Member, Germany
 Impact measurement
Understanding what it is and how to do it
Expert:
  • Dr Cliff Allum, University of Birmingham, UK
Speakers
  • Ksenija Fonovic, CSV Lazio, Italy
  • Ronit Bar, Israeli Council for Voluntarism, Israel
  • Estelle Roth, Novartis, Switzerland
Moderated by Caroline Kiunga, UPS, UAE

18:15 – 19:30

Lets Connect!

Networking with light refreshments - Conference Center​
8:30 – 9:30

Registration

9:30 – 9:40

Welcome note

9:40 – 10:00

Keynote session: The role of brand in the volunteer sector

  • Nuno Abreu, Founder, Slash, UAE​
10:00 – 11:00

Plenary [III]: Incorporating Emergency Preparedness into Your Volunteer Organization Plan

Keynote: ​
  • H.E. Hessa Tahlak, Assistant Undersecretary of Social Development at Ministry of Community Development, UAE​
Speakers
  • H.E. Hamoud Abdullah Al Junaibi, Secretary General, Emirates Red Crescent, UAE​
  • Mr. Huraiz Bin Huraiz, CEO, Social Care & Development Sector, Community, UAE​
  • Dr. Saeed Al Ameiri, Board Member, Kuluna Al Emarat, UAE​
  • Dr. Mohammed Al Dhaheri, Advisor, Ma'an Abu Dhabi, UAE​
  • Fahid Al Muhairi , Director of Safety and prevention, NCEMA​
Moderated by: Mohamed Al Hosani, Director of Programs, Emirates Foundation, UAE​
11:00 – 11:30

Networking coffee break

11:30 – 12:45

Plenary [IV] : Creating a World of Change Makers: Young People and Volunteering

Speakers
  • Daniel Adugna, African Union, Ethiopia
  • David Ponet, UNICEF, USA
  • Maria Jose Cascante Matamoros, University of Costa Rica
  • Hannah Birse, Dumfries & Galloway Youth Council, Scotland, UK
  • Saood Aljneibi, Volunteer, UAE​
Moderated by: Dr Chris Millora, University of East Anglia, Philippines
12:45 – 14:00

Networking lunch

14:00 – 15:30

6 practice seminars running in parallel

The Practice Seminars will explore six themes with different topics over two days.
Through expert input and case studies they will highlight key practice issues. Providing information, sharing experience and expertise.
Partnerships
Engaging Government In Valuing Volunteering
Expert:
  • Dr Jacob Mwathi Mati , Centre On African Philanthropy & Social Investment, Wits Business School, South Africa
Speakers
  • Alan Stevenson, Volunteer Scotland
  • Deedar Massingue Guerra, Conselho Nacional Do Voluntariado, Mozambique
  • Mark Pearce, Volunteering Australia
Moderated by Milena Scepanovic, Association for Democratic Prosperity – Zid, Montenegro
 Corporate social responsibility
Disaster response and delivering effective intervention
Expert:
  • Lorrie Foster, IAVE, USA
Speakers
  • Colin Rogers, Plan International, UK
  • Cathy Scott, UPS, USA
  • Begoña Barbera, Iberdrola, Spain
Moderated by Diane Solinger, Google, IAVE Board Member, USA
Youth volunteering
Future leadership, developing the role of young volunteers
Expert:
  • Dr Mohsen Gul, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, UK
Speakers
  • Ahmad El-Zubi, Naua, Jordan
  • Felicitie Walls, Wales Council for Voluntary Action, Wales, UK
  • Kuule Yona, Yes Empowerment Services, Uganda
    • Moderated by Yvette Tackie, IAVE Board Member, Tanzania
 Technological transformation
Extending the power of volunteering through new technologies
Expert:
  • Tony Goodrow, Better Impact, Canada
Speakers
  • Undral Gombodorj, Network of Mongolian Volunteer Organizations, Mongolia
  • Giselle Mendez, The Volunteer Centre of Trinidad and Tobago
  • Hiba Awaysa, Sawaed19, Palestine
Moderated by Shalabh Sahai, iVolunteer, India
Resilient communities
Locally owned solutions delivering impact
Expert:
  • Dr Alice Chadwick El-Ali, UKCDR,UK
Speakers
  • Ronel Lefranc, ACTIVEH, Haiti
  • Khaled Mehiz, The National Association of Volunteer Work, Algeria
  • Nichita Perunov, Volunteer Centre RVC, Moldova
Moderated by Matt Clausen, IAVE Board Member, USA
 Impact measurement
Providing the evidence
Expert:
  • Dr Cliff Allum, University of Birmingham, UK
Speakers
  • Ana Paula Albin, Proa, Peru
  • Ido Lotan, Ruach Tova, Israel
  • Perdita Wingerter, Gemeinsam Leben & Lernen in Europa, Germany
Moderated by Guillermo Correa, RACI, Argentina
15:30 – 16:00

Networking coffee break

16:00 – 17:00

Let’s talk volunteering: Information marketplace

An opportunity to engage and interact with ideas, concepts and models of practice. A combination and choice of Ted talks; expert panels; showcasing of standards of practice and new approaches to using technology.
Total VIA Road Safety
Speakers
  • Cora Chavardes, Employees' Engagement and Solidarity Culture, International Responsible, France
Volunteering in the medical sector ​
Showcasing successful examples of how volunteers are deployed in the medical field .
Speakers
  • Dr Adel Al Shammari, Chief Executive of Zayed Giving Initiative​
Utilizing technology to promote and develop volunteering
Showcasing examples of successful online platforms:
  • Volunteers .ae (UAE)
  • Nahno.org (Jordan)
Speakers
  • Mohammad Abbasi, Sr. Program Lead, Emirates Foundation
  • Khaled Abu Ajwa, Nahno, Jordan
Moderated by Sonia Alexandra Faria Fernandes, IAVE, Portugal
Youth volunteering and employability workshop
An interactive session to explore innovative approaches to engaging young people as volunteers delivered by a group of young volunteers.
Speakers
  • Rebecca Mcclymont; cameron greer; alasdair marshall; hannah birse, dumfries & galloway youth council, scotland
Moderated by Sam Johnson, Student Volunteer Army, New Zealand
Valuing volunteering – the ILO Volunteer Work measurement guide
An opportunity to find out about the ILO model of measurement and how to use it.
Speakers
  • Vladimir Ganta, ILO (International Labour Organization), Moldova
Moderated by Samuel Turay, IAVE, Sierra Leone
Future trends in volunteering and a new Universal Declaration
Looking towards the next decade, exploring two key questions: What are the key challenges and opportunities for volunteering and what action should leaders for volunteering take?
Speakers
  • Dr Alice Chadwick El-Ali, UKCDR, UK
  • Professor Oscar Garcia, San Martin National University, Argentina
Moderated by Wendy Osborne, IAVE, UK
Deploying volunteers in global events: Success Stories​
Speakers
  • Ameera Al Muharrami, Manager, Emirates Foundation ​
  • Eiman Al Mansoori, Manager, Emirates Foundation ​
17:00 - 18:00

Closing plenary [V]:

Volunteering to Create a Better World: Be the Change You Want to See
Speakers
  • Dipti Pratt, Toniic, USA
  • Kenn Allen, IAVE, USA - Kenn Allen Award
Closing Remarks and Way Forward
  • H.E. Ahmed Al Shamsi, Emirates Foundation, UAE
  • Nichole Cirillo, IAVE, USA
19:00 – 21:30

Cultural evening

Erth Abu Dhabi
9:30 - 13:00

Exploring Abu Dhabi - Cultural Site Visits (Optional)

Venue Info

Hotels & Resorts

Transport