2023 Middle East Impact Report
Social
2023 was a year of reaffirming our commitment to making an impact that matters - especially on a social front. From supporting the community with 3000 'Meals' to improving the welfare of migrant workers within the region, our purpose-led organization stood strong in 2023 by demonstrating resilience and creativity and supporting our people with purpose-driven initiatives.
Supporting communities with purpose-driven strategic initiatives
Emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic to the deepened humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and Gaza with its social and economic ramifications to the catastrophic natural disasters worldwide along with intensified climate change – 2023 was clearly a year of global challenges. And with the profound impact this has had on our people and communities, Deloitte Middle East has continued to strive to make an impact that matters.
During the last year, Deloitte Middle East embarked on a journey to instill purpose-driven initiatives to enhance our societal impact. The results and significant milestones achieved demonstrated a strategic alignment with our core values and commitment to sustainable growth. And as we sought to support and inspire our people and communities, it proved to be a year of reaffirming our commitment to making an impact that matters across the communities in which we live and work. It has entailed reimagining the future of work to help our people thrive, and reconnecting in person, where possible, for moments that matter to foster a sense of belonging.
To address pressing global challenges, and play our part in driving purposeful corporate initiatives, we designed a holistic approach encompassing environment, social, and governance (ESG) strategies. We also collaborated with several non-profit organizations and facilitated community reach programs to create awareness, participate, and volunteer to ensure we continue to make an impact in our society.
Raising awareness and building a healthy community
This past year, Deloitte Middle East partnered with the Al Jalila Foundation in the UAE to organize awareness activities and fundraising events for Breast Cancer Awareness Month within our offices. The Al Jalila Foundation is a global healthcare philanthropic organization that supports medical treatment for those who cannot afford quality healthcare, provides scholarships, and supports ground-breaking research in areas such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and mental health. Deloitte Middle East also collaborated for “Movember,” another annual awareness campaign in November which involves the growing of mustaches to raise awareness on men's health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and suicide. All proceeds from both events were donated to the Al Jalila Foundation.
Fostering a culture of giving
In an unwavering commitment to the Deloitte Shared Values, efforts continue in fostering a culture of care. Part of that is to proactively address relief needs, where Deloitte Middle East collaborated with various organizations throughout 2023 to provide aid in response to humanitarian crises across the region. Deloitte Middle East supports the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to assist in earthquake recovery in Syria. In addition, very early on during the onset of the Gaza crisis, and as the impact on the children and civilians of Gaza was unfolding, Deloitte Middle East initiated direct support by allocating an urgent relief fund to relief efforts. This fund has so far been allocated to UNRWA, the Red Crescent and our impacted people in Palestine, in order to address immediate needs.
To further strengthen our collaborative efforts, our people extended support to the Red Crescent, an affiliate of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Taking a proactive stance, Deloitte Middle East teams in the UAE orchestrated a Red Crescent Charity Drive, which garnered contributions of clothes, cooking utensils, and toys from all our offices. These collective actions underscore our ongoing commitment to swiftly respond to relief needs and make a positive impact in times of crisis.
Supporting community well-being
Teams across Deloitte Middle East continue to participate in various marathons throughout the year, such as the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon and the Beirut Marathon. In the UAE, Deloitte Middle East professionals joined the 10th annual ADCB Zayed Sports City Pink Run with proceeds donated to the Al Jalila Foundation for breast cancer initiatives. This run welcomes runners and walkers of all abilities, offering participants the choice of either a 3km, 5km, or 10km run which finishes inside the Zayed Football Stadium. In addition, Deloitte Middle East teams participated in the Dubai Marathon 2023, the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, and the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Half Marathon as part of our community outreach program and awareness on well-being.
Driving diversity and inclusion by supporting superheroes
The Al Noor Training Centre is a non-profit organization that relies on fundraising and sponsorship to cover costs of running a school for students with various physical and cognitive challenges. The Superhero Walk aims to create awareness of the Rehabilitation & Welfare for People of Determination. Deloitte Middle East teams volunteered in various activities and participated in the walk this year which brought together more than 2,000 people from our community.
Embracing the spirit of Ramadan
During the holy month of Ramadan, thousands of Iftar meals are donated to support the community that plays a pivotal role within society. Deloitte Middle East teams in the UAE, Jordan, and KSA volunteered in the donation of these meals, as exemplified by their efforts at the Khansaheb Labour Camp this past year.
Supporting the community with ‘3000 Meals’
Deloitte Middle East’s Financial Advisory (FA) practice launched an initiative titled ‘3000 Meals’ in line with the UAE government’s ‘One Billion Meals’ campaign. Partnering up with a local catering company, the goal was to support with the financing, packaging, and distribution of iftar meals. This initiative consisted of the following components:
- Financing: Our professionals made donations to cover the cost for the partner catering company to prepare the iftar meals.
- Volunteering: Our professionals volunteered their time to help package the iftar meals at the partner catering company’s kitchen and delivered them personally at the nearby distribution point.
The target was to collectively finance 3,000 iftar meals. However, through the overwhelming generosity of our colleagues, as well as our leadership team who agreed to match the amount raised from the professionals, FA was able to finance over 7,500 meals. The volunteers also helped package and distribute over 4,000 of these meals, exceeding the target by a substantial margin. The ‘3,000 Meals’ initiative was organized by the FA Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Committee members, and was supported by the FA leadership team.
Deloitte Middle East professionals in Qatar were also actively involved in similar campaigns, participating in the 14th edition of a local Ramadan Iftar Tent program. This well-established program is dedicated to providing nourishing daily meals to low-income workers, making a positive impact year after year. The meal boxes were delivered to a dedicated tent established by Qatar Charity to provide the quality and quantity of food we would be pleased to serve guests in our homes. Beyond the nutritional aspect, this initiative created a conducive environment for meaningful interactions within the local community and served as a reminder of how rewarding helping others can be.
A vision for collaboration and greater impact on our environment and society
At Deloitte Middle East, our journey towards sourcing eco-friendly materials has been both challenging and rewarding. We have identified gaps in the supply and demand of eco-friendly products and established partnerships with regional and global suppliers for the eco-friendly materials sought. We plan to optimize aspects of our operations, leveraging economies of scale, reducing waste, and renegotiating contracts with suppliers. Furthermore, we are in the process of implementing strict standards for our suppliers, requiring third-party certifications, and ensuring transparent audits of their production processes.
We are continuously obtaining feedback from our people and community associates to see how we could make a greater and measurable impact in our business and society. We aim to collaborate with service providers and organizations that have a wider Middle East presence and foster more partnerships to enhance the scale and reach of our initiatives.
We hope to continue to devote significant resources to support the key challenges in our communities, reinforce our diversity and inclusion and world-class agenda, and drive well-being and community reach programs to make an impact that matters. Our purpose initiatives reflect not just a strategic shift but a cultural transformation within Deloitte Middle East and we are proud of the milestones achieved and remain committed to pushing boundaries for a sustainable and inclusive future.
Building better futures through purposeful technology
Deloitte Middle East’s commitment to making a positive impact on society is unwavering. We are dedicated to realizing Deloitte’s global WorldClass ambition to impact the lives of 100 million individuals through education and skill-building. Below are some initiatives and signature programs that exemplify our dedication to creating better futures.
Empowering university students with the latest trends in the world of tech
Through a series of sessions led by our professionals aimed at university students in our region, Deloitte Middle East is committed to nurturing the educational journey of tomorrow's leaders. In April 2023, leaders in our Audit & Assurance Purpose team gave a session at the Careers in Tech Program at Rochester Institute of Technology for Careers in Analytics. This session provided an engaging and interactive experience for nearly 100 students, introducing them to the fundamentals of analytics. It was yet another expression of our ongoing commitment to empower and support the future generation.
Digital Youth Program: Fostering digital skills
Our commitment to #BetterFutures is evident through our DYP. With this initiative, we have taken a significant step in addressing the digital divide. Deloitte Middle East recognizes that access to technology is essential in today's world; that is why we are supporting schools’ technology needs, including providing them with laptops and high-quality online courseware. Through DYP, we empower students not only with the tools but also with the knowledge needed to excel in the digital age. By doing so, we are nurturing a new generation of tech-savvy leaders who can navigate the digital landscape with confidence and competence.
Deloitte Action for Resourceful Empowerment program: Empowering NGOs and entrepreneurs
Our commitment to #BetterFutures extends beyond the classroom. Through the Deloitte Middle East DARE program, we are making a substantial impact on the non-profit sector. Organizations such as Live Love Lebanon and Beirut Marathon are at the forefront of community development and support in the Middle East. Deloitte Middle East recognizes the challenges these organizations face, particularly concerning technology needs.
NGOs often operate on limited budgets, making technology upgrades a significant challenge. By offering our expertise and support, we assist these organizations in streamlining their operations, better serving their communities, and making a more significant impact. Our aim is to provide the technical knowledge that empowers NGOs to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Furthermore, the DARE program goes beyond supporting NGOs; it focuses on enhancing the employability and digital access of youth, entrepreneurs, and NGOs. This holistic approach ensures that our impact extends well into the future, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
A sustainable approach: Upcycled fabric and environmental stewardship
Deloitte Middle East’s commitment to #BetterFutures is not confined to digital empowerment; it extends to environmental sustainability as well. As part of our comprehensive approach, we have innovatively utilized upcycled fabric to create laptop bags. This initiative not only demonstrates our commitment to recycling and sustainability but also bridges the gap between technology empowerment and environmental responsibility. By repurposing fabric into laptop bags, we reduce waste and environmental impact. This dynamic blend of social and environmental support underscores our dedication to creating a sustainable future for all. In a world increasingly focused on environmental challenges, this initiative showcases our commitment to responsible corporate citizenship.
In a world where technology is the key to progress, and sustainability is an imperative, Deloitte Middle East is leading the way by ensuring that no one is left behind, and the future is brighter for all. Our efforts are a testament to the profound impact that purposeful technology can have on our world.
Social innovation on the rise: DASI 2023
The winners of the second edition of Deloitte Middle East's signature program, Deloitte Accelerator for Social Innovation (DASI), are Helm Egypt and ProAbled, two social enterprises championing the cause of inclusion of People with Disability in our region. Deloitte Middle East offers the well-deserved winning social enterprises US$100,000 in a prize pack which includes advisory services, networking, mentoring, and skills-development, enabling them to scale their impact with a significant advantage in the marketplace. DASI's goals and design are aligned with Deloitte's Global WorldClass initiative that aims to empower 100 million futures by 2030, reinforcing Deloitte Middle East’s commitment to purpose and making an impact that matters.
DASI is a Deloitte Middle East Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CR&S) program created with the aim of addressing the region’s challenges by supporting small and medium social enterprises that operate with a social and/or environmental purpose. The program provides social enterprises in the region an opportunity to grow and scale their impact.
DASI is a regional competition that spans 13 countries in the Middle East and Cyprus with specific selection criteria including scalability, economic viability, sound business strategies and plans, as well as inclusion and diversity in ownership and management teams. Building on the success of the first edition of DASI, the program runs in collaboration with Ashoka Arab World (AAW), which provides networking and mentorship opportunities for winning social enterprises.
Improving the welfare of migrant workers in the region
Deloitte Middle East is driven by the purpose to create an impact that matters. Our work with one of the largest construction projects in history has helped us deliver a significant positive impact on the welfare of migrant workers in the region based on the core principles of dignity and respect. Our collaboration with the client led to the design and implementation of Workers’ Welfare Standards and Practices, which would positively impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of blue-collar workers. These standards would guarantee the fair treatment of workers and ensure their human rights were respected, not only in the workplace, but also with regard to their living conditions and transport arrangements. Deloitte Middle East intends to use this project as a blueprint and highlight the substantial benefits to encourage other organizations to embrace the change, leading to an uplift in the welfare of potentially millions of workers in the construction industry.
What did Deloitte Middle East do?
Deloitte Middle East designed a set of welfare standards based on the labour law, the Dhaka Principles, and accepted human rights protocols. The welfare standards were made a mandate for all contractors and sub-contractors of the project, which would ensure the organization was positively impacting all workers in their direct or indirect employment. To ensure contractors were abiding by the new standards, a set of in-depth assessments were designed; a detailed methodology was also defined to conduct these assessments. Any adverse observations or grievances found during the assessment would then be flagged and reported and the appropriate intervention would be identified, actioned, and monitored to completion.
It was crucial that the most vulnerable workers were protected immediately; therefore, a risk model was developed, which outlined the risk rating of all contractors based on a variety of weighting factors. High-risk and large contractors were scheduled to be assessed first, leading to a fast start in embedding the Workers’ Welfare Standards.
To ensure the program was a success, a tailored technology system was designed and implemented to track all assessments and monitor observations. This system enabled all contractors to be managed centrally; all assessments were to be performed with the correct checklist in an unbiased and identical manner, and all gathered assessment data to be reported on for analysis.
Why did it matter?
This program directly impacted the working conditions and living standards of c.40,000 workers in 2023 and will subsequently impact c.450,000 workers as the construction project grows by 2026. Improving the working conditions and living standards of this migrant workforce embraces Deloitte Middle East’s purpose of making an impact that matters. And inspired by the value of leading the way, this program confirms Deloitte Middle East as a pioneer in the worker welfare space.
Previously, many businesses simply viewed worker welfare measures as a cost, rather than an investment. This implementation has demonstrated the social sustainability benefits of implementing a worker welfare program and can act as a case study for other organizations to embrace the change and reassess their current thinking - ultimately leading to many more workers feeling the positive impact on their working conditions and living standards.
