Dubai - MENA Herald: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has received MVO 8000 certification in social responsibility. It has also reached a status of ‘Advanced’ for its ISO 26000 social responsibility programme. This accomplishment adds to DEWA’s roster of achievements in social services. The two distinguished certificates underline DEWA’s excellent efforts in servicing society, its pioneering initiatives as a socially-responsible government organisation, and its success in implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies, according to the highest standards and best international practices.
“DEWA does not only provide electricity and water services according to the highest efficiency and reliability standards, but also plays its role as a socially-responsible organisation. These efforts support the vision and directives of our wise leadership and the Dubai Plan 2021 to be an inclusive and cohesive society that embraces common civic values, with cohesive families and communities forming the bedrock of society. DEWA adopts well though-out plans and strategies that are compatible with the best international standards and practices, to achieve its vision in corporate responsibility. As His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, has observed: “Philanthropic work needs a clear vision, strategic planning, defined objectives, and efficient management of resources,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA.
“We are delighted with this new achievement, which crowns DEWA’s CSR efforts and underlines its instrumental role in supporting social development at all levels, to achieve the sustainable development of Dubai. These prestigious global certificates confirm DEWA’s ongoing quest for excellence and quality across all its operations. This complements our efforts to improve and sustain social work. They prove that we are on the right track in managing and enhancing our initiatives to achieve happiness of society, which is the ultimate goal that we seek to achieve,” added Al Tayer.
“DEWA seeks to apply the best international standards in corporate social responsibility. Our social initiatives and programmes are an integral part of our strategy to serve the public good in Dubai. In 2014, DEWA organised 43 social initiatives, totalling 6,385 volunteer hours. It held 20 social partnerships and 17 social awareness workshops. DEWA ranked first position in the companies' survey and second in individuals' survey in 2014 in its social position compared to local and global organisations,” said Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing & Corporate Communications at DEWA.
MVO 8000 certification is a system for managing social responsibility initiated by QMS Global, an initiative of a responsible global business system capable of meeting the growing demand for setting the standards of issuing certification in social responsibility. MVO 8000 certification proves that the organisation meets the internationally-accredited standards related to social responsibility. The certification is also a testament to being committed to a level of socially responsible activities beyond the minimum legal requirements and showcases adherence to these standards.
ISO 26000 is an international standard that provides guidelines on social responsibility for public and private organisations. It supports their efforts to adopt a socially-responsible business system to meet the growing requirements of the community in this regard. These guidelines include the integration, implementation, and development of a socially-responsible behaviour across the organisation, ensuring the scope of its impact through its policies and practices, and identifying partners and working with them.
