The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) continued its a strong tradition of giving back to the local community during its annual congress, collecting a €5,555 (US$7,044) contribution to the blindness prevention charity Noor Dubai Foundation at its 57th ICCA Congress in Dubai in November. ICCA also donated 591 pairs of glasses.
Dubai Business Events, the city’s official convention bureau, helped identify the local charity for ICCA to collaborate with and an ICCA Charity Run ‘N’ Walk on 12 November, saw 200 delegates taking part to support the Noor Dubai Foundation.
The donation will go towards the Foundation’s international outreach programmes and its mobile eye camps, which allow the Foundation to provide screenings and diagnosis, conduct surgeries and distribute glasses to those in need of vision aids.
The glasses donated were part of the Gift of Love project, set up in 2013 to allow delegates to leave a physical legacy behind after they leave each host destination.
All pairs of donated glasses will be re-lensed in partnership with Dubai optical and eyewear company Al Jaber Optical, before being distributed to those in need across the UAE.
Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “Partnering with Noor Dubai Foundation and ICCA on these initiatives has helped to ensure that we were able to live up to our promise ahead of the Congress that it would leave a robust legacy. Through the Charity Run ‘N’ Walk, donations and collection of glasses, delegates were able to easily get involved, which was a key consideration for Dubai Business Events and the Local Host Committee.
“The power of business events can extend far beyond economic impacts on key sectors and knowledge developments and contribution to tourism. We would like to thank all ICCA members and delegates for their efforts, which will have a meaningful impact of numerous lives. We are looking forward to working with other associations and organisations to ensure they are able to embed powerful CSR programmes and initiatives into their events.”
To learn more about the work of Noor Dubai Foundation visit their website here.
– c-mw.net