The second edition of the Arab World Day for Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Conference for Arab Universities was held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States on 4 December under the theme “Sustainable Educational Endowments.”
The event was organised under the auspices of the League of Arab States, and jointly organised by the Arab Council for Social Responsibility and the Department of Civil Society Organisations within the Social Affairs Sector of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, in cooperation with the Association of Arab Universities and the Egyptian Ministry of Religious Endowments.
The conference was attended by His Excellency Dr. Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities; His Excellency Professor Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, Minister of State and President of the Qatar National Library; His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Hussein Abdel-Bari, representing His Excellency Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Minister of Religious Endowments of the Arab Republic of Egypt; Her Excellency Dr. Randa Rizk, Secretary-General of the Arab Council for Social Responsibility; alongside broad participation from Arab universities, ministries, development agencies, participating experts, representatives of civil society organisations, and students from Arab universities.
The event was held as part of the celebration of the International Day of Social Responsibility, observed annually on 25 September, coinciding with the third anniversary of the adoption by 193 member states of the United Nations General Assembly of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Arab World Day for Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development is a regional occasion dedicated to celebrating the role of Arab universities in promoting the principles of social responsibility and embedding sustainable development practices within higher education institutions. The event highlights academic and community initiatives undertaken by universities to address societal issues, protect the environment, support innovation, and develop human resources, while encouraging university institutions to advance sustainable initiatives that contribute to achieving national and Arab development goals, in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In her address on the occasion, Her Excellency Minister Plenipotentiary Inas Al-Farjani, Supervisor of the Social Affairs Sector at the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, stressed the vital role of universities in society. Beyond providing educational programmes for students, universities can engage with community development by fostering societal growth and advancing a knowledge-based society through raising awareness on various social needs.
The Minister Plenipotentiary highlighted that “sustainable educational endowments” play a significant role in supporting the educational process and funding its diverse programmes and initiatives on a permanent and renewable basis. As a financing mechanism based on allocating a fixed asset or capital whose returns are continuously reinvested, such endowments constitute a strategic tool for enhancing the quality of education. They provide stable funding that contributes to human capacity development and ensures the continuity and advancement of educational services across generations. This renders them a sustainable resource, securing the longevity of educational programmes while supplying additional means for curriculum development, modernising educational infrastructure, and improving the efficiency of educational institutions.
Minister Plenipotentiary Al-Farjani noted that the League of Arab States keeps pace with the accomplishments of civil society organisations and their innovative initiatives, which help bridge the gap between the public and private sectors. This is achieved through a participatory approach within an integrated cooperative framework, reflecting the shared responsibility of all parties to fulfil the aspirations of Arab peoples for progress. Accordingly, the General Secretariat sponsors and hosts numerous events that address its engagement with civil society institutions, reviewing key issues that are priorities for joint Arab action.
Following the opening session, attendees visited the League of Arab States Museum Exhibition, “A Legacy and a Journey,” where they explored narratives recounting the League’s history since its founding, its pivotal role in supporting liberation movements across Arab countries, and its efforts to strengthen economic, social, and cultural cooperation among member states.
At the conclusion of the conference, a series of key recommendations and outcomes were announced, affirming that civil society organisations play a vital role in societal development. They represent a new lever for accelerating attention to social responsibility while addressing the priorities of the current stage and its regional and international challenges. Participants also highlighted the importance of strengthening the educational endowment system in Arab universities and its role in enhancing the quality of education, thereby contributing to sustainable economic and social development.
The conference asserted the significance of integrating higher education, scientific research, and technological innovation as a cohesive system, essential for improving economic competitiveness. Participants further affirmed the need to adopt innovative models for educational endowments aimed at supporting students, funding scientific research, and developing the infrastructure of Arab universities. This includes reinforcing cooperation with Arab ministries of endowments to implement modern endowment mechanisms that align with the needs of sustainable education and enhance the self-generated resources of universities.
