Make a positive contribution to society
This simple fact illustrates a key way in which we make a positive contribution to society: by meeting people's basic nutrition and hygiene needs with the brands we produce and sell. But we also believe the very business of doing business in a responsible way can have a positive social impact. For example, we create and share wealth, develop people's skills and spread expertise across borders.
Our commitment
We are committed to managing our social and environmental impacts responsibly, to working in partnership with our stakeholders, to addressing social and environmental challenges and to contributing to sustainable development.
We also provide updates and examples of our business in action, as well as regular performance reporting and details of our external rankings and recognition.
Educational programs
With 65% of the Saudi population under the age of 25, education is a key enabler towards finding gainful employment in an increasingly competitive global economy. Last year, we organized summer camps to provide practical sales training for high school graduates. These camps aimed to teach students, who did not achieve university degrees, the skills they need for a career in sales.
More recently, Unilever Middle East spent approximately $200 000 towards renovating a school in Jeddah. This latest project at Jeddah's King Faisal Elementary School involved renovating the school building and setting up a Unilever Vitality Centre offering computer, science and language labs to the school's 550 pupils. Unilever employees get involved by conducting workshops and lectures for students in the areas of health and nutrition. This was a pilot programme that will be eventually rolled out for under-privileged schools in the region.
Adopt a village program
In Egypt, a unique project defines the way we engage with our communities using our collective skills and competencies to make a difference in people's lives. The program aims at increasing the quality of life of selected villages through promoting a healthy lifestyle, focusing on environmentally orientated socio-economic development.
In Talat Kabary village in Alexandria, the first to be adopted in 2006, projects implemented to date include providing free medical check ups. Medicines were also distributed by enthusiastic volunteers from Unilever Mashreq.
Self financing projects included cattle raising projects under the supervision and support of the Agricultural Faculty of the University of Alexandria as well as a rice whitening project, initiated by one of the villagers who prepared a complete feasibility study.
