Special to AG-IP News Agency 

AMMAN – The International Union for Social Responsibility (IUSR) in partnership with the Social Value Arabia (SVA) and in cooperation with the Global Center for Governance & Sustainable Development, organized a conference entitled “Impact Measurement & Management - IMM 2020” via Zoom video conferencing app.

The conference was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Nuaimi, Advisor to the Ruler of Ajman and the International Ambassador for Social Responsibility, with the participation of the Guest of Honor, HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, founder and chairman of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Global (TAG.Global) and the IUSR Honorary Member.

In his opening speech, His Highness Al-Nuaimi said: "It is my pleasure to be the Honorary Patron of this conference, organized for the first time in the Arab region with the participation of elite scientists and experts in the field of impact management and measurement." 

 “Social investment is one of the modern sciences that presently gains increasing attention worldwide for its impact in giving investors multiple varied returns… I would like to commend the organizers for their efforts in holding the conference at this important time, noting that rationalizing investment to achieve positive social returns has become a necessity,” His Highness Al-Nuaimi added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh emphasized in his remarks the crucial significance of the conference that addresses social impact measurement, stating that such a topic was given emphasis by the United Nations which established a high-level committee to develop criteria for measuring social impact of economic projects.

Dr. abu Ghazaleh also indicated that social impact measurement was also associated with corporate social responsibility (CSR), referring to the United Nations Global Compact; an international initiative that encouraged businesses worldwide to adopt socially responsible policies and practices. 

Furthermore, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh suggested the establishment of a specialized Arab higher action committee to be launched from this conference for the purpose of developing standards for measuring social impact, while taking into account cultural and community peculiarity of the Arab region.  

During the conference attended by 33 speakers and experts from the Arab region and abroad, various case studies in the field of impact measurement were reviewed, in addition to their positive impact on the outcomes of enterprises and companies

Additionally, a number of workshops were delivered by experts and specialists in the fields of measuring social return on investment and designing community initiatives.