NEW YORK, Oct. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The C3 US-Arab Summit yesterday honored Mr. Khalaf Al Habtoor, businessman, philanthropist and Founder and Chairman of the United Arab Emirates' Al Habtoor Group, with its first Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual one-day conference at the Union League Club in New York City.
Al Habtoor's keynote address enthralled Summit attendees with his distinctive view of an appropriate political partnership model for Eastern and Western nations that respect Arab traditions and celebrate the successes of governance instead of seeking to apply Western models as "one size fits all" solutions.
Drawing a contrast between Western models and the governing system that has led to astronomical growth in the UAE, Mr. Al Habtoor remarked, "Leaders in the democratic countries are locked away in their ivory towers, with thousands of guards keeping them from the people they are supposed to listen. In my country, I can meet the rulers any time I have a need and they will listen."
Expanding on his view of how universal human rights can be better achieved, Mr. Al Habtoor went on to say, "The leaders in the UAE are reachable and approachable, and they are interested in what their people have to say. Our rulers care about their people and the residents of the country. The leaders of the UAE care about all humanity, and not just in words, but also in actions."
The Lifetime Achievement award was made in recognition of Mr. Al Habtoor's long-term contribution to regional peace, prosperity, philanthropy and support towards building a better understanding between East and West. The award was jointly presented by Dr. John Duke Anthony, President and CEO, National Council on US Arab Relations and C3 Summit guest speaker and former US Congressman Paul Findley.
On receiving the award Mr. Al Habtoor said in his Keynote Address: "I pride myself on being an ambassador of my country to the world. I have always been conscious about the importance of bridging the East and the West, finding the similarities instead of the differences between different cultures. I realize the project might not be successful the first time but will try and try again. This is too an important issue for us not to try every possible way to see it happen."
Mr. Ransel Potter, the Founder and Managing Partner of C3 International, praised Mr. Al Habtoor's insights saying, "It was an honor to host Mr. Al Habtoor at C3 Summit. Given his numerous business successes, and his philanthropic foundation, it was fitting that he became the first recipient of the C3 Lifetime Achievement Award. His address framed the discussions for the day drawing out the important themes of cross cultural collaboration and how we can all work towards greater human rights for all."
Media contact: Ransel Potter, 917-742-9941