The Al-Khair Foundation for Social Development in Sana'a organized a cultural and intellectual event showcasing its history, programs, and developmental and cultural projects, as well as highlighting aspects of the humanitarian, economic, and developmental legacy of its late founder, Professor Alwan Saeed Al-Shaibani. The event also featured a presentation on the study "The Mutual Effects of Yemeni Migration," which he fully sponsored for over three years until its completion.
A distinguished group of academic, political, cultural, social, and media figures participated in the event, including Dr. Hussein bin Abdullah Al-Amri, the renowned politician and academic; Professor Mutahhar Ahmed Taqi, a prominent social and cultural figure; Dr. Mona Al-Muhaqari, head of the Shahrazad Cultural Foundation; Professor Nashir Al-Absi, Secretary-General of the National Democratic Front; Professor Mohammed Mohammed Mutahhar, former Deputy Minister of Expatriates; and journalist and media personality Ahmed Abdulrahman, Al-Mayadeen TV correspondent in Yemen.
Professor Salwa Muharram, representing the Al-Khair Foundation for Social Development, presented an overview of the foundation's mission, objectives, key programs, and achievements, particularly during the current year. She also introduced the Al-Khair Training Center, its activities, and its programs aimed at youth and other target groups.
She explained that the vision established by the late Alwan Al-Shaibani is based on linking training and skills development to community needs and economic empowerment. Training programs are not ends in themselves, but rather means to equip beneficiaries with the knowledge, skills, and ability to produce, work, and participate in development, thereby achieving a sustainable economic, intellectual, and social impact. In the scientific segment of the event, two members of the committee launching the study "The Interrelationships of Yemeni Migration"—Professor Al-Azzi Al-Salawi, Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, and Professor Dr. Amr Ma'dikarib Al-Hamdani, Member of the Shura Council—presented an overview of the study, its stages of preparation, its significance, its outputs, and the human and material resources required to complete it over a period exceeding three years.
They explained that the study examines Yemeni migration from a perspective that transcends the traditional concept of expatriation, exploring the reciprocal influence between Yemeni migrants and their host societies, the contributions of Yemenis to their adopted countries, and the experiences, ideas, and socio-economic and cultural impacts they bring back to Yemen as a result of migration and interaction with other societies. The presentation highlighted the pivotal role of the late Alwan Al-Shaibani in adopting and sponsoring the project until its completion through the Al-Khair Foundation for Social Development, the community arm of the Al-Alamiah Trading Group.
This stemmed from his belief in the importance of documenting the history of Yemeni migration, preserving its contributions, and making them accessible to researchers and future generations. He also believed that the social responsibility of capital extends to human development, supporting culture, scientific research, and knowledge production. The event featured a rich discussion in which participants shared testimonies and memories of their experiences and relationships with the late Alwan Al-Shaibani, expressing their appreciation for his national, economic, investment, tourism, cultural, and social contributions, and his role in serving development and the community.
The interventions also addressed the deceased’s journey and the beginnings of his economic experience and the stages it went through until his business developed and expanded, stressing that his experience deserves to be studied and documented, not only from the perspective of economic success, but also because of what it embodied in an attempt to link investment, development, social responsibility, culture and community service.