L’ÉCOLE Middle East donates to Dubai Cares in support of Youth Skilling Programs

L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts, supported by Van Cleef & Arpels, has announced that it has raised a total of AED 717,720 for Dubai Cares, after one year of opening its permanent campus in Dubai in April 2024. The amount represents 100% of the proceeds collected from all public courses and talks, as well as the recent Ramadan ‘Book One. Give One’ campaign. The funds will support the UAE-based global philanthropic organization’s youth skilling programs in developing countries, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), equipping young people with the competencies needed to thrive in a changing world and unlocking long-term social and economic impact.

The announcement comes as L’ÉCOLE Middle East marks the successful first year of its permanent campus at Dubai Design District (d3) — its first in the region. The campus was established with a vision to make the world of jewelry arts accessible to all, offering a wide range of educational programs, exhibitions, and public events that celebrate craftsmanship, creativity, and cultural heritage. This unique model of learning and giving has positioned the School as not only a hub for artistic discovery, but also a driver of social impact through education, with every course attended contributing directly to supporting global youth development through Dubai Cares.

To mark this key milestone, a cheque was presented by Alessandro Maffi, President of Van Cleef & Arpels MEIAT, to His Excellency Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of Dubai Cares. The presentation symbolized a shared commitment to driving human development by celebrating the transformative power of education as a catalyst for lasting change across generations.

L’ÉCOLE Middle East’s contribution has played a meaningful role in scaling Dubai Cares’ global youth skilling efforts. In 2024 alone, this support has contributed towards delivering certified training to over 1.25 million young individuals, nearly half of whom were young women. By fostering inclusive and accessible learning pathways, the School is helping bridge the gender gap and enable youth to adapt to the demands of an evolving global workforce.

Alessandro Maffi, President Van Cleef & Arpels MEIAT, said: “Van Cleef & Arpels upholds its values of creation, transmission and a bonded sense of togetherness – a remarkable characteristic of the Maison since its inception. As 2025 is the Year of Community, I am proud to witness the positive impact that L’ÉCOLE Middle East is creating and upholding its dedication of sharing the knowledge of jewelry arts and collectively converting it into inspirational initiatives that create a strong contribution to the UAE’s society and beyond.” He adds, “I dream for this act to go beyond generations, giving the chance for the youth of today to develop their skill sets and unlock the potential for the youth of tomorrow, leaving a lasting legacy.”

His Excellency Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of Dubai Cares, said, “This partnership represents a powerful investment in human development. With the support of L’ÉCOLE Middle East and Van Cleef & Arpels, we are channeling resources into nurturing the potential of young people – giving them access to the values, skills, knowledge, and experiences they need to grow into active, empowered contributors to their societies. And this goes beyond education or employment; it’s about shaping individuals who can uplift their communities and break cycles of inequality for collective global action towards a more inclusive and sustainable future. We thank L’ÉCOLE Middle East for being a close and committed partner on Dubai Cares’ journey to champion human development and shape a future defined by opportunity, dignity, and lasting progress."

“Education is at the heart of everything we do at L’ÉCOLE,” said Sophie Claudel, Director of L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts. “Through our partnership with Dubai Cares, we extend the power of learning far beyond the world of jewelry arts, reaching communities across the globe. We are deeply grateful to the generous contributions of our students, both adults and kids, who share with us the responsibility of making a difference to the lives of youth and paving the way to fostering creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on expertise to unlock their potential and transform their aspirations into reality.” 

L’ÉCOLE Middle East has been supporting Dubai Cares since 2017, when it was first established in the region through “Nomadic Schools” – ephemeral travelling school programs. Since then, the partnership was cultivated in a profound way, setting a renewed dimension in 2024 with the opening of its permanent campus at Dubai Design District. The two organizations signed an ongoing agreement which exclusively provides Dubai Cares with 100% of proceeds collected from L’ÉCOLE’s public courses and talks, to support youth education programs in developing countries. 

L’ÉCOLE Middle East is dedicated to making the world of jewelry arts accessible to all. By opening its doors to enthusiasts, students, and professionals alike, L’ÉCOLE is fostering creativity, craftsmanship, and curiosity in the Middle East. Through this partnership, L’ÉCOLE Middle East is not only introducing learners to the history, savoir-faire and gemstones behind jewelry, but it is also giving back to the global community to create a brighter future together.