Saudi ‘Direction’ wins CSR award

THE European University announced on Saturday (June 18) its award “Corporate Social Responsibility” which recognizes businesses that consistently make positive contributions to their communities through a clear corporate responsibility strategy. With the highest core values, these companies operate transparently and actively nurture employee development, and Saudi “Direction” lead by its founder Dr. Shadi Bin Fouad Khawandanah was the sole Arab organization nominated among strong organizations from all over the world. Dr. Khawandanah received this award from the former President of Swiss Adolf Ogi and the EU Switzerland Managing Director Luc Craen at the official ceremony held by EU University at President Wilson Hotel in Geneva, in the presence of many international administrations, diplomatic missions and many distinctive businessmen. “Direction” was awarded by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid in the year 2013, and was chosen for two consecutive years 2013-2014 as the No. 1 according to Forbes Middle East. “Direction” the social responsibility arm of Special Direction Group is developing and operating a lot of supportive programs for the youth of Saudi Arabia and the Arabian world. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman had honored “Direction” with King Khalid Award for responsible competitiveness last December for the outstanding community contributions in volunteering work, its commitment to implement the best sustainable development practices, commitment to social responsibility, and for empowering youth to participate in knowledge and cultural programs, and educate them about the economic and innovative benefits that serve them and their society environmentally and socially and stress their important roles in being part of the Kingdom’s 2030 vision. This year, “Direction” has started its Knowledge & Cultural Exchange Tours giving chance to all the Saudi youth and also from the Middle East to be part of this great program. It started with Switzerland, Italy, and France discussing “Crisis Management”. The next was with Germany to learn about the German experience in strategic planning, and its next destination will be to Korea for innovative experience, and to learn about the Korean experience in technical and industrial innovation. The European University is a well-known highly esteemed university which was founded in 1973 in Geneva, and every year it celebrates innovators from all over the world in July to support and recognize all the efforts of the organizations and establishments all over the world. “Direction” winning the European University Award is counted as a national achievement in this field where countries from all over the world are competing at it.