Emirates NBD announces 4th edition of Unity Run

4 Min | 06 November 2019

2019 edition to mark UAE year of Tolerance

2019 edition to mark UAE year of Tolerance
Community run and fair supporting diversity and inclusion of people of determination at DSO

Dubai, 06 November, 2019: Emirates NBD, one of the leading banking groups in the region, has announced the fourth edition of its annual Unity Run. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Higher Committee for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (people of determination), and under the umbrella of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Community Sports Initiative, the event aims to promote diversity and the social inclusion of people with disabilities (people of determination) in the UAE.

Led by Emirates NBD’s flagship advocacy platform #TogetherLimitless, the Emirates NBD Unity Run is the UAE’s leading community event supporting people of determination and will take place on Friday, 15 November at Dubai Silicon Oasis, the event’s venue partner. It is open to children and adults of all abilities and ages. People of determination and their companions may participate free of charge.

The Emirates NBD Unity Run actively supports Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Senses Residential and Day Care Centre and Emirates Red Crescent. Taking part this year will be members of the Special Olympics UAE and the UAE Paralympic teams. Major corporations, education establishments and government authorities are also expected to participate alongside individuals and families, all supporting the cause for inclusion and tolerance.

Participants will complete an untimed fun three-kilometer walk followed by a ten-kilometer run, wearing the iconic Unity Run shirts styled to celebrate the UAE flag colours. Trophies will be awarded to the top-ranking runners in the ten-kilometer category, and there will be special spot prizes for participants in the three-kilometer walk.

Unity Village: Celebrating UAE’s Year of Tolerance

Following the Run, the Unity Village, a community fair, will enable participants to mark the UAE’s Year of Tolerance with special celebrations and activities. The Unity Village will host cultural pavilions from around the world, organised by embassies, consulates and cultural groups based in the UAE, representing the diversity of the residents of the UAE.

There will be a symbolic Tolerance Tree planting ceremony by representatives from embassies and consulates based in the UAE. The organisers are calling on UAE school students to participate in an art exhibition and competition depicting students’ thoughts on the meaning of tolerance and unity. Schools are also being invited to participate via song and dance showcases that reflect the unity in diversity enjoyed in the UAE.

The Unity Village will also include fun activities for the whole family along with entertainment and food trucks, sunrise yoga and fitness sessions for all abilities, the ARTE Marketplace, and sports and fitness tournaments and displays by the UAE Paralympians and Special Olympics UAE.

Fuad Shaiban, Senior Vice President, Head of HR Business Partnership, Emirates NBD, said: “Emirates NBD is deeply committed to the inclusion of people of determination, and we are proud to continue our support of the Unity Run. The event unites people across all walks to life to act together for a common cause, an initiative that is well aligned with Emirates NBD’s approach to disability mainstreaming. We remain grateful for the continued support from all the participants, private and public sector entities as we work together to create a truly diverse, accessible and inclusive environment for everyone in the UAE, aligned to the #MyCommunity vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council.”

Adnan Juma Al Bahar, Senior Vice President Corporate Communications & Partnerships at Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, said: “Hosting the Emirates NBD Unity Run for the third consecutive year is testament to our commitment to our corporate social responsibility strategy that is based on three key pillars – community, human capital, and the environment. We look forward to welcoming every segment of the diverse community at DSO, as well as Dubai and the wider UAE, to the event that seeks to enhance the quality of life for the entire UAE population through ensuring the availability of appropriate access and other support facilities to people of all abilities.”

Talal Al Hashemi, Managing Director of Special Olympics UAE, said: “Special Olympics transforms lives through the joy of sport every day, everywhere. In addition to sports, SO UAE will be providing free health screenings in the Unity Village. Clinical Directors from SO UAE's Healthy Athlete program will be onsite to screen all people of determination in 4 health disciplines. The Unity Run represents the goals of the UAE leadership to create a fully inclusive society. Special Olympics UAE is proud to partner with the Unity Run for the second year, promoting fitness and health among people of all abilities.”

Ruth Dickinson, Event Director & Managing Partner, FittGROUPME, said: “The Emirates NBD Unity Run stands for inclusion and tolerance of all people of all abilities, and every year we celebrate unity in diversity. In this special UAE Year of Tolerance, the Emirates NBD Unity Run will include a community celebration of tolerance and inclusion. The whole community is invited to participate in the fun run and walk as well as visit the Unity Village to see the wonderful international cultural displays from embassies and consulates based in the UAE, as well as art and entertainment from students of all abilities, all supporting the UAE Year of Tolerance. It’s going to be a wonderful carnival of activities for all the family to enjoy.”

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