The Foundation’s objects are to further the general public's knowledge and awareness regarding the issue of sustainable development in Saudi Arabia and to research, archive and promote the history and achievements of the late King Saud of Saudi Arabia. Founders
The King Saud Foundation was established in London in 2009, by sons and daughters of King Saud: Princess Seita bint Saud (deputy: Princes
s Abir bint Majid bin Saud), Princess Fahda bint Saud (deputy: Abdulaziz bin Abdullah), Prince Sattam bin Saud , and Prince Hossam bin Saud .The Honorary President was late Prince Muhammad bin Saud, who was replaced by Prince Misha’al bin Saud. Later on in 2013, new members were elected as board members: Princess Rima bint Saud, Princess Amal bint Faisal bin Saud, and Princess Ahad bint Al-Hassan bin Saud.
2. Background:
The Foundation’s objects as laid down the in the articles of association are:
To further the general public's knowledge and awareness regarding the issue of sustainable development in Saudi Arabia by establishing a research and development centre in London whose work will focus on conducting research into sustainable development in Saudi Arabia by attracting funding from donors which will be used to award grants, scholarships and research prizes to individuals who qualify, who will then use the funds to carry out research into how Saudi Arabia can learn to become sustainable without reliance on oil. The research will be published firstly in the United Kingdom, but later on a worldwide basis and will be available to all the general public and will serve the purpose of enhancing awareness and education of the issue of sustainable development in Saudi Arabia. The Foundation believes that the research is undertaken for charitable purposes as it is undertaken to advance education as the research will be made available free of charge to all members of society; namely, to educate the public in living more sustainably and the country in developing similarly.
3. Sustainability:
The common definition of sustainable development is:
“Sustainable development refers to a mode of human development in which resource use aims to meet human needs while ensuring the sustainability of natural systems and the environment, so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come.”
With that in mind, The main aim of the Foundation is not only to further the education of the general public in the issue of sustainability throughout but in particular focuses on Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. The Foundation will achieve its aim by donating research grants and prizes so that research can be undertaken with this aim in mind and with such research being published. The grants and prizes will be awarded as a way of encouraging the research to be undertaken and also, ensuring that the research is of a certain standard. The aim of the Foundation is to eventually make Saudi Arabia as self-sustaining as possible as the Foundation believes that this can only be possible through advancing the education of the general public in sustainable practices, innovations and methods. The Foundation hopes that the resources of its member’s could assist towards encouraging sustainability by also using science and technology to pioneer new sustainable methods, whether this is fuel, or whether it is teaching the general public on how to become more sustainable through awareness and educating children in schools and society as a whole.
4. The KSF Scholarship Prize:
The Foundation’s first initiative was the King Saud scholarship in the association with SOAS (University of London), where a candidate is chosen annually for a Masters Degree program. All of the research that emanates from grants and prizes of the Foundation will be published and will be made available free of charge to educational institutions and will also be published on the Foundation's website. The Foundation considers that by making the research available that this advances education and also will assist in the Foundation's purpose of also conserving the environment and encouraging sustainable development. The SOAS prize of the Foundation will rely on the expertise of the academics at SOAS to grade the research and such research will be published in academic journals. The research does however have to address the issue of sustainability by educating the public through the research created. This may not be able to be measured fiscally, but it will certainly be of a public benefit and that in the future, may lead to a change of practices that may promote the economic development of Saudi Arabia. The Foundation will be able to use all research that is produced and all published material will bear the Foundation's name together with the student's.
5. Raising awareness
The Foundation will establish a research journal that various members of society can contribute to with regards to sustainability, such as scientists, industry leaders, environmentalists etc. It is also anticipated that the Foundation will organize various seminars in where guest speakers can speak to the general public about sustainability. The Foundation will work with educational institutions in the UK to organize such events and will also hopefully work with other environmental and educational bodies to attract as wide an audience as possible. The purpose of this is to educate the public on the issues of sustainability.
6. The History of King Saud and Saudi Arabia
The Foundation’s principle aim is to research, archive and promote the history and achievements of the late King Saud of Saudi Arabia and the history of the nation. This is done through research papers, online media, books, seminars, documentaries and more. And we try to ensure that all this information is made as readily available to the public as possible for the purpose of helping other researchers and scholars gather information in the same subject.
7. Publications
Book: SAUD a history in pictures (hard copy) published in 2009. Text by Fahda bint Saud, layout and book production by Humberto Da Selvera . Children’s Book (Arabic): King Saud, the building of a nation, by Fahda bint Saud
Books: King Saud a pictorial Biography, one in Arabic, and one in English. Published in 2010, by Fahda bint Saud
