An innovative way to show Dubai cares

Dubai - As part of UAE Innovation Week, Dubai Cares is giving residents a glimpse of a 360-degree virtual reality film.

If you were standing in a refugee school witnessing how children displaced by conflict were trying to claw back an education, would you feel compelled to help?
Most would answer yes to that question, but in the same breath, most will never get the opportunity to see such a plight in real life.
But as part of UAE Innovation Week, Dubai Cares is throwing residents right amongst the midst of it through the lens of a 360-degree virtual reality film.
Documenting the real stories of children affected by emergencies, the film titled 'Innovation in Education in Emergencies', demonstrates an innovative approach to education during conflict and natural disasters.
Despite their lives being disrupted by conflict back home, Syrian refugee children have a right to education and this virtual reality video, which is being launched for the first time, drums this message home to onlookers.
To date, Dubai Cares has helped more than 12,000 beneficiaries through this Education in Emergencies programme - 4,600 of which have been forced to flee to Lebanon from Syria.
Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares, said by showcasing these children's plight, it can help shape a better picture of exactly what these children are facing everyday.
"During our visit to a Syrian refugee camp, we were inspired by the stories we heard from children and their parents and we came back with the decision to participate in the UAE Innovation Week and make use of virtual reality beyond gaming and entertainment, as a tool for immersive and impactful storytelling," he said.
And impactful it is.
During Sunday's launch of the innovative Dubai Cares stand at Emirates Towers, Vietnam-born Dubai student Minh Le said it was as if he was there in the classroom with the children.
In addition to the virtual reality video, an interactive touchscreen map provides visitors an insight into Dubai Cares' work in developing countries. And it also features a variation of the "Would you rather" game which highlights the impossible choices people affected by emergencies have to face.
One such question visitors are urged to answer is: "You are struggling to feed your family of six, would you: a) Marry off your 14-year-old daughter so she is looked after by a husband, or b) Take your 14-year-old daughter out of school so she can work and support the family.
"By showcasing such innovative looks into the lives of these people, we are helping spread a powerful meesage that the need is now," a Dubai Cares representative said.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai