DP World Recognised for Excellence in Implementation of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Our Global Education Programme reflects our commitment to support better educational standards internationally; it aims to boost the skills, aspirations and confidence of young people in the communities where we operate.
Global trade enabler DP World’s Global Education Programme (GEP) for 8 – 14-year-olds features as a case study in the latest UAE Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) report. This programme is being implemented across DP World’s international network of 40 countries and aims to engage 34,000 children by 2020.
The programme enlists the company’s 45,000 strong workforce to deliver modules in local schools as part of their volunteering leave. It covers a wide range of topics to engage young people on the subject of ports, trade and logistics, a little-known and often overlooked, yet crucial element of the world economic system.
Programme modules include guidance and delivery notes, lesson plans, student activities, and worksheets and have been rolled out in 14 languages. The lessons were initially piloted in the UAE, India, Pakistan, Senegal, the United Kingdom, Argentina, and the Philippines and subsequently launched across the rest of DP World’s network on six continents.
A survey of participants shows that 97.3% of teachers believe the programme provides something the school couldn’t, while 96.6% of students believe that they learned something new. More than 580 volunteers in 18 countries have participated and delivered the modules to date, and 94% of employees say their job satisfaction has increased after taking part in the programme.
DP World Group Chairman & CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said: “Sustainable development has been the cornerstone of the UAE’s policy-making. As part of this, we are committed to supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development while enabling trade and economic development. Our Global Education Programme also reflects our commitment to support better educational standards internationally. The programme aims to boost the skills, aspirations and confidence of young people in the communities where we operate, raising awareness about our sector and related career opportunities. The programme also helps us develop a talent pipeline of future employees for our business.”
Subjects covered by the GEP include port management, sustainability, careers in trade and logistics and the maritime sector, geography, ocean protection, disaster relief, illegal wildlife trafficking, mathematics, design, and technology.
To help implement the UN SDGs, the government of the UAE has created a National Committee consisting of 17 federal government entities to align goals, share information and support an integrated implementation. The National Committee, through its secretariat FCSA, collaborates with stakeholders to broaden the ownership of the 2030 Agenda. DP World is a member and also forms part of the Private Sector Advisory Council, an umbrella organisation of the National Committee.
DP World is a leading enabler of global trade and an integral part of the supply chain.
We operate multiple yet related businesses – from marine and inland terminals, maritime services, logistics and ancillary services, to technology-driven trade solutions.
We have a portfolio of over 150 operations in over 45 countries across six continents, with a significant presence in both high-growth and mature markets. We aim to be essential to the bright future of global trade, ensuring that everything we do contributes positively and sustainably to both the economy and society.
Our dedicated team of more than 46,000 employees from 120 countries cultivates long-standing relationships with governments, shipping lines, importers and exporters, communities, and many other important constituents of the global supply chain, providing quality value-added services today and tomorrow.
Container handling is the company’s core business and generates more than 50% of its revenue. In 2018, DP World handled 71.4 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) across our portfolio. With its committed pipeline of developments and expansions, the current gross capacity of 91 million TEU is expected to rise in line with market demand.
By thinking ahead, foreseeing change and innovating, DP World aims to create the most productive, efficient and safe trade solutions globally.