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An exhibition highlighting the key actors in voluntary work in Oman and the region was held last week at the Oman International Exhibition Centre, Seeb. The Volunteer Exhibition 2011, which was opened by H E Sheikh Sa’ad al Sa’adi,  Minister of Commerce and Industry, on December 5 and ran for three days, coincided with the International Volunteer Day and Oman’s ‘Day for Volunteerism’, as named by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

Organised by the Ministry Of Social Development (MoSD), the exhibition aimed at demonstrating the crucial role that volunteering plays in Omani society. Some of the other objectives of the exhibition included supporting volunteer programmes and associations and encouraging people to engage in voluntary work.

“So many people visited the exhibition, which shows that people are keen to be involved in volunteering and help others in the country. We at the ministry, are cultivating this attitude,” said Sheikh Ahmed al Maskari, advisor at the MoSD. The exhibition had approximately 90 stalls from local and regional companies, associations, the government sector and social clubs including, PDO, Sibla Oman, several branches of the Omani Women’s Association, the social club for the Chinese community, Environment Society of Oman, Oman Society of Cardiology, Bank Dhofar, Oman Cement Company, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and the Amateur Bird Breeding Association.

“A significant aim of the expo was to encourage people to take the initiative to volunteer and for companies to showcase their volunteer programmes and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives,” said Ammar Ahmad, project manager at Oman International Trade and Exhibitions (OITE), organising partner of the event. On the side-lines of the exhibition was a daily schedule of cultural programmes including dance and song performances. 

The National Symposium on Volunteerism was also held on December 6 and 7 at the Golden Tulip, Seeb, under the theme ‘Volunteer work and its role in developing a community.’ The symposium included the participation of several key figures such as the MoSD, Ministry of Education, SQU, Volunteer Work of the Arab Union, and the Information Technology Authority, Oman. “The expo has been great. It’s only the first one we have participated in but we have already recruited 300 volunteers,” said Fatima al Subhi, who volunteers for Rekaaz, an association dedicated to promoting ethics and good manners. 

Also participating in an exhibition for the first time was Alam Amal, a project organised by Sibla Oman that raises funds to help needy families. “We have received a lot of interest and support. The expo is great for organisations like ours. We can show people what we’re about,” said Younis al Rahbi, project manager.

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