About the cause
Education is a catalyst for personal growth and societal progress. We believe in the transformative power of learning at every stage of life. Through our community initiatives, we support a wide range of educational endeavours in orphanages and schools, where CIT members get involved in talks and presentations designed to inspire fulfilling career choices and promote inclusivity. Our people also offer mentorship and other advice to help individuals unlock their full potential.
Here is a collection of causes we have supported that champion life-long learning.
Western Justice Center
Western Justice Center is a nonprofit organization that empowers people to strengthen their communities by growing the conflict resolution skills and capacity of youth, educators, schools and community partners.
What we did
HKA sponsored and attended the Peer Mediation Invitational (PMI) hosted by the Western Justice Center (WJC). Each HKA attendee volunteered as a “Mediation Mentor” and was assigned to observe a group of student mock mediations based on real-life scenarios they could experience at school.
As mentors, HKA volunteers (Joshua Koh, Ramina Hedayati, Susan Chen, Jennifer Jones and Mya Fraley) helped facilitate the mock mediation and provide feedback to the students on how to further develop their mediation skills.
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Mawaheb
Mawaheb is an art studio where adults with special needs can learn and practice different forms of artistic expression. Their vision is to break down the boundaries and stigmas associated with people of determination, bridging the gap between them and society and celebrating their individuality.
What we did
Colleagues from our Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices had an inspiration morning at Mawaheb, participating in teambuilding activities, and learning about how People of Determination showcase their individuality through art and creativity.
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Senses Residential and Day Care for Special Needs
Founded in 2004, Senses Residential and Day Care for Special Needs (Senses) is a non-profit organization based in Dubai, UAE and the first residential care facility in the Middle East, dedicated to improving the quality of life of People of Determination and catering orphans and abandoned children.
What we did
Sixteen colleagues based in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Doha spent a half-day with the residents, beginning with group athletic activities. Afterwards, our colleagues split into small groups and visited the classrooms for one-on-one sessions to support learning and development.
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Fundraisers become tutors for Orkids
Orkids (Our Kids Are Special) was established on 6 April 2012 and is officially known as Persatuan Kebajikan Anak-Anak Istimewa Selangor. It started off as a support group by parents to Down Syndrome children. After 10 years of operations, Orkids is now a full non-profit educational resource centre for special-needs children, managed by a group of dedicated parents, teachers and support staff.
What we did
Having raised funds for the school, staff from the Kuala Lumpur office went on to spend time at Orkids, which is dedicated to the education and positive development of children with special needs. Our team took part in learning and guidance sessions, as well as Zumba and exercise classes. And the children put on a dance performance at the end of the day.
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New Jerusalem Children's Home
To honour Mandela Day, our team from Johannesburg held a Career Day at the New Jerusalem Children's Home. For 2024, Mandela Day encouraged us to impart knowledge and empower the next generation.
What we did
New Jerusalem Children’s Home provides holistic and integrated quality care for vulnerable children. It has been championing children’s rights for over 21 years and currently accommodates 117 children, from infants to young people aged 21.
We also donated school and sports supplies for the children’s educational and physical needs, as well as appliances to help the running of the home.
The day was directed by Tshiamo Nkomo, Consultant, with Thabiso Ntjepela, Senior Consultant, and our speakers included Sonia Guerra, Associate Director, Wisani Bila, Associate Director, Thembelihle Ntshangase, Marketing Manager, and Rethabile Molapo, Information Technology Site Support Analyst.
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University of Technology Sydney
UTS is a dynamic and cosmopolitan university, with the largest campus in the vibrant inner-city of Sydney.
What we did
Emma Moy, Mathilde Schoelpple and Will Hayman recently returned to the University of Technology Sydney to share their insights on systems mapping with the BCII student cohort. It was amazing to see them guiding the next generation of industry change-makers in using innovative practices. Thank you to the UTS Transdisciplinary School, Hossai Gul, and Helena Robinson for this wonderful opportunity to help develop the innovative capabilities of our future industry leaders.
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The Hub Hong Kong
The Hub Hong Kong is a local charity that provides education, social health, and well-being support to disadvantaged children and youth in Hong Kong.
What we did
HKA organised a charity walk in Hong Kong during the 2024 ICCA Conference with money donated on behalf of every attendee who participated. The event raised money for The Hub, a local charity that provides education, social health, and well-being support to disadvantaged children and youth in Hong Kong.
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Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League
The Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League (LAMDL), founded in 2008, is one of the nation's largest and most impactful urban debate leagues. They serve more than 600 LAUSD high school students with competitive policy debate programs, college and career prep services, monthly league debate tournaments, and a Summer Debate Institute. Their debate programs serve 35 high-need Los Angeles public high schools, and our partners include USC, Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Riverside, as well as dozens of law firms across Los Angeles.
What we did
On 20 May, HKA was proud to sponsor at the LAMDL’s “You Say You Want a Resolution.” You Say You Want a Resolution is Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League’s year-end celebration, Public Debate, and fundraiser.
Mike Wallace, Partner, said, “It is a great organization that works in underserved communities to bring the intellectual rigor of public debate and civic awareness to students.”
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ACE Mentor Program of America
The ACE Mentor Program of America, Inc (ACE) is a nationwide, non-profit organization whose mission is workforce development for the construction industry. ACE helps mentor high school students (age 13-18 years old) and inspires them to pursue careers in design and construction.
What we did
On 26 April 2023, HKA was a Silver Sponsor of the 23rd Annual Scholarship Awards Breakfast for the ACE Mentor Program of Greater Washington, DC. Wayne DeFlaminis, Partner, has been an officer of the Board of Directors of the ACE DC Affiliate since 2014. This year, ACE DC raised more than $100,000 and awarded 15 college scholarships of $5,000 to rising high school seniors participating in the ACE program. This was ACE DC’s highest fundraising amount since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
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Primary Engineer
Primary Engineer is a non-profit organisation that brings together teachers and engineers to engage primary and secondary pupils with engineering through projects mapped to the curriculum.
What we did
HKA was delighted to sign up to a Partnership with Primary Engineer.
Aside from a financial contribution to help ensure the organisation’s excellent work can continue, our colleague Michael Halliday attended a Primary Engineer training session at Dumfries & Galloway College. He worked alongside teachers to develop the basis of a project which saw primary school children compete by building shoe-box vehicles and motorised vehicles which will culminate in a judging day and a final celebration.
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Wanna Read Foundation
Wanna Read Foundation UAE is a local initiative led by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, which provides books and resources to hospitals across the United Arab Emirates, to help children through their healing and rehabilitation process.
What we did
HKA donated an extensive amount of books and resources to the initiative which was achieved through a successful book drive and supported by all the offices throughout the UAE.
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WTS
Founded in 1977, WTS is an international organization dedicated to the professional advancement of women in transportation. Boasting nearly 7,000 members – both men and women – WTS is helping women find opportunity and recognition in the transportation industry. Through its professional activities, networking opportunities, and unparalleled access to industry and government leaders, WTS is turning the glass ceiling into a career portal.
What we did
HKA Americas employees participated in an event called Miles for Math. Fifteen individuals walked, ran, hiked, and biked, and donated to the WTS scholarship foundation for every mile completed. The group raised US$2,200 and completed approximately 800 miles in 27 days.
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YConstruction
YConstruction (Young International Construction Practitioners) is a global organisation founded by young lawyers and construction professionals with an interest in international construction arbitration.
What we did
We are delighted to support YConstruction and have done since its launch in 2018. Here’s a selection of the ways we’ve helped the group.
- We sponsored the Young International Construction Practitioners tri-city launch event on ‘The Digitalisation of Construction Projects: what does it mean for construction arbitration?’
- Sue Kim was a panellists on “How lessons learned from construction disputes can help improve contract drafting (and project management)” organised by YConstruction during the week of IBA Annual Conference in Seoul 25 September 2019.
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