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Giving in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Evolving towards strategic philanthropy

October 11, 2022

With the deep-seated Arab traditions of giving and generosity and the growing prosperity and ambitions of GCC philanthropists, all signs point to a promising future for philanthropy in the region. The GCC enjoys unique characteristics, including the combination of Arab and Islamic cultures of giving, growing wealth and prosperity, emerging new generations of philanthropists and ambitious government transformation plans. The intersection of these factors ultimately shapes the motivations, practices and trends in giving in the region.The goal of this study is to deepen knowledge about the motivations, practices and trends in philanthropy in the GCC. Due to the lack of data on giving in the region, this pioneering study is based on the review of existing literature and interviews with 32 philanthropists, experts and professionals across the six GCC countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The study reveals interesting trends in the region. Religious beliefs are tightly interwoven with family and societal values that shape giving. While a minimum level of giving is mandated by religion, philanthropic practices in the GCC extend far beyond this on a voluntary basis, which philanthropists see as part of their duty as members of society. 

Capitalizing on Conflict: How U.S. arm sales fuel the humanitarian crisis in Yemen

April 14, 2022

U.S. weapons manufacturers fueling the crisis in Yemen spend big money on lobbying but make even more selling arms.Over the last 20 years, defense companies and their affiliates have spent more than $2.6 billion on lobbying politicians and $300 million making contributions to support and influence their campaigns. Getting up to half of a Pentagon budget that is likely to top $800 billion next year makes it well worth the effort. U.S. manufacturers make billions from federal government contracts supplying weapons to the world's most expensive and well-armed military, and billions more selling arms abroad. Over the last five years, the U.S. accounted for 39% of global arms exports according to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Of those exports, 43% went to the Middle East. The largest recipient, Saudi Arabia, received nearly a quarter of U.S. exports. Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are among the top 10 recipients, putting them on par with stalwart allies like Australia, the United Kingdom and Japan.For years, the Saudi-led coalition has used those weapons in a catastrophic civil war in Yemen that is now in its eighth year. The resulting humanitarian crisis has claimed over a hundred thousand lives from military conflict, famine and disease. 

Cultures of Giving Country Profile: Saudi Arabia

October 20, 2021

This report has been prepared for the WINGS Cultures of Giving Working Group by Natasha Matic from the King Khalid Foundation and Atallah Kuttab from SAANED for Philanthropy Advisory. The WINGS Cultures of Giving Working Group explores and shares the many different types and ways philanthropy exists in the WINGS network, as well as the diverse cultures of giving around the world.

The Rationale for Sponsoring Students to Undertake International Study: An Assessment of National Student Mobility Scholarship Programmes

May 1, 2019

This research, driven in partnership by the British Council and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), looks at the reasons why some national governments invest in supporting outward mobility scholarship programmes. The study aims to improve our understanding of why governments sponsor these programmes; how they are designed, administered, and funded; who participates and where they study; and what impact the programmes are having.The report contains detailed case studies of 11 countries and their approaches to national outward mobility scholarship programmes, with comparative case study analysis and recommendations for countries looking to establish or develop outward mobility scholarship programmes.

Fixing Food : Towards a More Sustainable Food System

October 1, 2016

Fixing Food is an Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report on food system sustainability globally, spanning agriculture, nutrition, and food loss and waste. It draws on an interview programme with experts from the academic, public and private sectors and is published alongside the Food Sustainability Index (FSI), a quantitative and qualitative benchmarking model, which ranks 25 countries according to their food system sustainability. The project was developed with the Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition (BCFN).

Investing in a More Robust Public Policy Environment in the Middle East

June 30, 2011

Outlines considerations for funders with respect to the development of human capital and strengthening civil society organizations, including the need for long-term, targeted, and sustained investment as well as funder restraint.

Saudi-Iranian Relations Since the Fall of Saddam: Rivalry, Cooperation, and Implications for U.S. Policy

March 16, 2009

Examines how the structural, sectarian, and ideological tensions and differences over energy interests between Saudi Arabia and Iran have evolved since 2003. Analyzes the roles of the United States and Iraq and makes policy recommendations.

From Charity to Change: Trends in Arab Philanthropy

December 1, 2008

From Charity to Change: Trends in Arab Philanthropy, provides a preliminary overview of Arab philanthropy in eight countries of the region including: Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The purpose of the study was to document the varying forms of institutionalized philanthropy that currently exist as well as provide recommendations for how philanthropy can become more effective.