Siemens 2006 Annual Report Download - page 31

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Corporate citizenship
We take a proactive and long-term
approach to corporate citizenship.
Siemens Generation21, for instance, is
making a major contribution to sustain-
able development worldwide by bundling
our educational projects and initiatives to
enhance the opportunities of young peo-
ple all around the globe. The program
focuses primarily on the natural sciences
and technology – two main drivers of
progress – and on fostering top talents in
those areas. Siemens Caring Hands, our
second global citizenship program, is con-
tributing to the long-term improvement
of living conditions in all the countries
where we do business. Employee volun-
teering is also an important focus of
Siemens Caring Hands.
Our corporate citizenship programs are
contributing to our long-term success by
strengthening our reputation as a good
neighbor worldwide.
Siemens Generation21
Preschools: To give tomorrow’s
researchers a head start in understanding
the phenomena of our world, we’re pro-
viding children with a chance to learn
about science and technology at a very
early age. The experiment kits that we’ve
begun distributing to many preschools
around the world enable mini-scientists
to experiment with electricity, sound, air
and water in ways that are fun and
geared to their capabilities.
Schools: We’re giving young people new
insights into the fascinating worlds of the
natural sciences, technology and eco-
nomics and encouraging them to pursue
careers in these fields. Our school con-
tests, prizes, awards and scholarships
motivate talented students to be true
high achievers. We support teachers by
developing and distributing innovative,
award-winning educational materials. A
wide range of Siemens school partner-
ships provide the basis for long-term
cooperation with teachers and students.
Universities: We’ve also made a major
commitment to excellence in higher edu-
cation. Through partnerships, joint proj-
ects, awards, scholarships and mentoring
programs, we foster gifted university stu-
dents in the natural sciences and engi-
neering so that they can realize their full
potential at an early age. Our university
projects also bring us into contact with
the managers, decision-makers and
movers and shakers of tomorrow.
Siemens Caring Hands
Social giving: We provide financial assis-
tance to charitable organizations and
projects worldwide. Since 2003, we’ve
supported an array of UNICEF programs.
Working with the organization, we’ve
enabled 35,000 girls in Afghanistan to
resume their education. Some 1,800
Siemens employees are now project spon-
sors. Since July 2006, we’ve also been
supporting UNICEF’s Schools for Africa
campaign.
Disaster relief: We contribute technical
equipment and – together with our
employees – donations to assist recon-
struction in regions devastated by natural
disasters. Following the Indonesian earth-
quake of May 2006, for example, we
helped restore local infrastructures and
provided victims with food, clothing and
medical assistance.
Volunteering: All around the world,
Siemens employees are strengthening
their local communities through a wide
range of voluntary activities. Support for
employee volunteering is a vital part of
our corporate citizenship strategy. Suc-
cessful community projects heighten par-
ticipants’ awareness of social problems,
foster team spirit and underscore our
commitment to society.
How did Siemens help the victims of
the tsunami of 2004?
To cite one example of our involvement,
we cooperated with a number of part-
ner organizations on the construction of
a community center, a medical clinic and
housing in Thenampattinam. This tiny
village is located in one of the regions
hardest hit by the tsunami: India’s south-
west state of Tamil Nadu, where over
10,000 people were killed and 160,000
dwellings were destroyed. Today, a year
and a half after the disaster, life in
Thenampattinam has largely returned to
normal.