“Every individual in the Arab world shoulders the responsibility of creating hope. The attribute of giving is entrenched in Arabs, and making hope is a cultural mission.”

These words, spoken by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, introduced to the world the exemplary initiative of Arab Hope Makers.

The largest initiative of its kind in the Arab world, it was launched last year to recognise and reward Arabs whose defining belief is to bring succour to those in need and who find this act to be the highest form of self-expression.

This ability — of a single individual to change the lives of many through their extraordinary largesse of support — is what Arab Hope Makers, this year in its second edition, celebrates and rewards.

The initiative’s purpose has found a resounding validation in the overwhelming response to it.

In this year’s edition, the nominations cover a range of sectors and pressing societal challenges in the Arab world, with community service taking the largest share of the nominations at 36 per cent, followed by initiatives and projects in education at 12 per cent, and health and medical initiatives at 6 per cent. New fields such as women and youth empowerment, art, culture and environment are also in the ambit of nominations.

This wide arc is testimony to the range of efforts by Arabs in creating a groundswell of solidarity and action that is emblematic of the power of hope as a catalytic agent.

In the crucible of societal change, hope is an elemental factor. It is germinative in nature, alchemises intent and effort to achieve results that dispel despair to make way for optimism and opportunity.

This force of hope is an indispensable reparative thread in every attempt to mend the ripped fabric of society, wherever in the world. In providing unstinting support and fulsome recognition to hope makers therefore, the initiative, which is under the aegis of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, is bolstering the UAE’s humanitarian efforts and translating the goals of the Year of Giving on the ground.

The intrinsic nature of philanthropists is selfless service to others but in their selflessness lie the greatest lessons worthy of emulation and through this initiative, the UAE is galvanising millions of potential hope makers to create a better future for all.