Princess Lamia Highlights Role of Media and Long-Term Philanthropy at BRIDGE Summit 2025

WAM

Riyadh, December 11, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Her Royal Highness Princess Lamia bint Majed Al Saud emphasized the importance of media, long-term engagement and structured partnerships in philanthropic work during a session titled “The End of Media’s Philanthropic Whiplash” at the BRIDGE Summit 2025.

Princess Lamia, Secretary-General and Board Member of Alwaleed Philanthropies and a Board Member of BRIDGE Alliance, said philanthropy is deeply rooted in the region’s values. “Philanthropy and doing good is in our DNA, it's Zakat,” she stated.

She outlined the foundation’s scope of work, noting that Alwaleed Philanthropies operates in 190 countries, with women and youth empowerment among its core focus areas. She said media has a significant role in shaping awareness and supporting communities:“Media and philanthropy are not very far from each other because media… creates awareness on what this community needs.”

Princess Lamia highlighted the need for continued visibility of humanitarian situations in regions where coverage has declined. She referenced Syria, Palestine and Myanmar, noting that NGOs must help ensure continued media attention. “I believe we play the role of the guardian to keep reminding people,” she said.

Discussing the foundation’s approach to project selection, she explained that long-term engagement is essential.“We believe there is no hit and run in philanthropy… you need to stay with this community a minimum of three years if you want to have an impact.”

She added that each project must include a government partner to ensure sustainability and a local NGO to ensure that activities address community needs. “This is how we ensure that this will have the positive reflection or impact on the community that we aimed for when we approved the project,” she said.

Princess Lamia also spoke about Alwaleed Philanthropies’ work in global health, including partnerships with UNICEF and Gavi to support vaccine programs in developing nations. She described her visit to Laos during a measles vaccination campaign, explaining that nutritional challenges—not vaccine issues—were at the core of local resistance. Her observations helped shape targeted awareness efforts. “Media is not just a tool, it is a guide,” she said.

Reflecting on regional tradition, Princess Lamia said philanthropy has long defined communities in the Middle East. “It's a amount of money that you have to pay for others for them to be better… So I would honestly say we have no benefit, but to do good,” she said.