Income from Katara’s amphitheatre to fund the Federation’s MENA programme Doha, May 15th 2013: Katara - the Cultural Village has signed a partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies- IFRC. The partnership between the two organizations will facilitate donations of incomes from Katara’s Amphitheatre towards the Federation’s humanitarian and development efforts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Katara will dedicate all its annual shares in incomes generated by the Katara Amphitheatre towards the Federation’s activities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Katara’s contributions will help build important organizational capacities of local Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies throughout the region. Katara and the IFRC share the common goal of fostering a culture of peace through community-based activities aimed at strengthening the cross-cultural understanding and tolerance. Based on this shared vision, the two organisations have committed to collaborate through a partnership agreement aimed at building local capacities in the Middle East and North Africa aimed at strengthening resilience and peace at a community level. In the instances where Katara is fully responsible for producing and managing an event at the Amphitheatre, as much as 100 percent of the incomes generated from the ticket sales will be donated to the IFRC. When a third party is involved, Katara’s share of income from the project will directly be remitted to the causes of the IFRC. Officially inaugurated in 2011 with a performance by Greek Composer, Vangelis, the 3,275 sqm theatre balances classical Greek theatre concepts and timeless Islamic features and can accommodate a seated audience of 5,000. The architectural marvel features superlative acoustics and has been the stage for several operatic performances including Magida El Roumi and Sami Yusuf successful performances amongst many others. Signing the contract, Dr. Khalid Bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, General Manager commented, “In line with Qatar National Vision 2030 that aims to establish a society based on justice, charity, and equality, Katara will support the IFRC ’s activities across the region through the Amphitheatre, a testament to the true identity of a landmark that has grown as a symbol of cross-cultural exchange and supports Katara’s initiatives rooted in promoting dialogue, a united humanity and peace and contributes to a tangible investment in the broader community.” Katara’s donations towards the IFRC will address immediate and long-term needs of local communities in the MENA region by strengthening their capacities in the areas of Disaster Management and Risk Reduction, Volunteer and Youth Development, Organisational Development, Health and Social Services, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Resource Mobilisation. The IFRC Secretary General, Mr. Bekele Geleta, stressed on the importance of this partnership “this partnership is a living example of what can be done when we work together for the benefit of the most vulnerable. The IFRC appreciates very much the support that KATARA is providing and I am confident that it will prove successful in strengthening the capacities of communities and National Societies in the region and will serve to assist the region in supporting volunteer development, youth leadership, improved information technologies, and the strengthening of local Red Cross and Red Crescent services”. - ILQ News -

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