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Sodexo to Welcome Guests at Connecticut Services Plazas, Expanding Infrastructure Portfolio

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SOURCE:Sodexo, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

GAITHERSBURG, Md., December 19, 2018 /3BL Media/— Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company committed to Quality of Life, is pleased to welcome Connecticut Service Plazas to its portfolio through a new relationship with Project Service LLC. The new 25-year relationship leverages Sodexo’s market research to deliver innovative, high-quality customer experiences at 23 service plazas throughout the state.

Through this contract, Sodexo will deliver a variety of solutions at Connecticut Service Plazas locations. Services include: a mobile custodial solution through the Command Center, a centralized program management office, an asset management framework, a computerized maintenance management system, a Service Response Center and a site management system.

Service plaza cleanliness makes a vital first impression that impacts the entire consumer experience. Sodexo’s 24/7 Service Response Center ensures 24-hour responsiveness for service continuity. As with Sodexo’s partnerships, it offers an innovative Quality of Life approach that combines consumer insights and market trend analysis to ensure that stakeholder needs, expectations and priorities drive our services.

“Our goal is to provide guests with “wow” experiences and options,” said Brett Ladd, CEO - Sodexo Government, North America. “Elements of our successful partnerships include price predictability, data transparency and easy day-to-day interactions.”

Michael Jones, CEO - Project Service LLC, said: “We are very pleased to be working alongside Sodexo. We are looking forward to improving experiences for the guests traveling throughout Connecticut. We deliver the highest-level service, innovation and quality and expect the same of our partners. Sodexo has the right combination of expertise with tenants, guests and stakeholders to deliver.”

Sodexo is poised for additional public-private-partnership (P3) opportunities in high-volume infrastructure environments. This is a fast-growing sector and Sodexo will continue to build partnerships that bring results and benefits for the community and state authorities.

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About Sodexo North America
Sodexo is a leading provider of integrated food, facilities management and other services that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life for millions of customers in corporate, education, healthcare, senior living, sports and leisure, government and other environments daily. Sodexo North America is part of a global, Fortune 500 company with a presence in 72 countries. The company employs 150,000 people at 13,000 sites in all 50 U.S. states and Canada and indirectly supports tens of thousands of additional jobs through its annual purchases of $9.2 billion in goods and services from small to large American businesses. Sodexo is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion and safety, while upholding the highest standards of corporate responsibility and ethical business conduct.

Tweet me:.@SodexoUSA to Welcome Guests at Connecticut Services Plazas, Expanding Infrastructure Portfolio http://bit.ly/2rNFK8Z

Contact Info:

Heidi Marino
Sodexo, Inc.
Heidi.Marino@sodexo.com

KEYWORDS: supply chain, purchasing, procurement, Sodexo, CT, service plazas


Shire’s Partnership with SeriousFun Children’s Network Enabled Nearly 1,000 Children with Serious Illnesses to Attend Life-Changing Camps

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SOURCE:Shire Pharmaceuticals

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SeriousFun Children’s Network, founded by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, provides fun, life-changing camp experiences to children living with serious illnesses and their families throughout the world—totally free of charge. These medically safe, inclusive experiences allow campers to connect with peers and build confidence, empowering them to value the possibility and potential of their lives beyond camp—and beyond their illnesses.

With Shire’s annual gift of $1 million to SeriousFun for three years, commencing in 2016 ($3 million total), Shire enabled nearly 1,000 children with serious illnesses, many living with rare diseases, to experience these transformative camps and programs for free.

Over the course of Shire’s 3-Year partnership with SeriousFun Children’s Network:

  • 77 Shire employees volunteered as camp counselors at nearly every SeriousFun camp

  • 110 families were served at 6 family weekends for children with rare diseases

  • 12,505 hours of employee volunteer time were carried out at SeriousFun camps

  • 757 employees volunteered at 7 camps during Shire’s Global Days of Service

“Our partnership with SeriousFun Children’s Network has been a high-impact investment in the lives of children with rare diseases and other serious conditions and their families,” said Linn Parrish, Shire’s Head of Corporate Responsibility. “SeriousFun has become part of who we are. The campers inspire the work we do, keep us grounded in our mission, and continue to remind us why we come to work each day.”

People with rare diseases and their families around the world are part of a growing network of communities where they can find information, support and common ground. Shire’s partnership with SeriousFun is one of several programs through which Shire supports patient and family communities by extending social and educational opportunities for children and young adults. The SeriousFun partnership, in particular, offers the opportunity for children living with serious and rare conditions, and their families, to learn and have fun, feel less isolated and rediscover the joys of childhood. With intentional programming delivered through SeriousFun’s camp and outreach programs, children are empowered to reach beyond the barriers of their conditions to build connections and foster resilience.

“As a global network of camps focused on supporting children living with serious illnesses and their families, you hope for a partner like Shire who not only commits the resources needed to support this very special community, but one whose dedication and commitment shapes a better future for these children,” said Blake Maher, CEO of SeriousFun Children’s Network.

Shire employees who volunteer have returned to work with a better understanding of what it means to live with a serious illness. In turn, employee volunteers share their experiences with other employees, which builds the culture and commitment within the company.

“My work has been influenced by having seen how our efforts can impact the lives of children and their families,” said Thomas Ravasini, Shire Plant Engineer, who volunteered at Dynamo Camp, the SeriousFun camp in Italy. “What I do every day has more meaning having seen directly what we work towards.”

Shire will continue to support SeriousFun in 2019, working together to maximize the partnership and its positive impact on children and families.

Tweet me:After three years of partnership, @Shireplc has enabled nearly 1,000 children with serious illnesses and #rarediseases to experience @SeriousFunCamps and programs for free: http://bit.ly/2A6rugp #CSR #volunteering #employeeengagement

KEYWORDS: Shire, SeriousFun, rare diseases, summer camp

     

Caterpillar Inc. | Dirt & Data

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SOURCE:Caterpillar Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

When most people think of Caterpillar, the first image that comes to mind is one of heavy equipment cast in our trademark yellow iron. This legacy is part of our past and present: we are the world’s leading manufacturer of heavy equipment. However, at the same time, we are bringing about a future that marries silicon with steel.

Click here to learn more about how Caterpillar is moving from merely selling equipment to becoming a data-driven trusted advisor, offering technologies and services that allow our customers to be more successful before equipment even arrives on a job site.

Tweet me:.@CaterpillarInc is moving from merely selling equipment to becoming a data-driven trusted advisor. Check out their 2017 #sustainability report to learn how they're bringing about a future that marries silicon with steel http://bit.ly/2zTrPCU

KEYWORDS: Caterpillar, Cat Connect, Cat Smartband, 793F truck, Cat D9, autonomy, autonomous trucks, Cat Terrain, NYSE:CAT

Inspirational Youngsters Find a Way to Brighter Tomorrows

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SOURCE:CLP Group

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They are brave, determined, humbling, and truly inspiring young Hong Kong people who rise above difficulties to succeed in their studies and move forward in life against the odds.

This year, CLP Power for the first time partners with the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups in sponsoring the CLP Energy for Brighter Tomorrows award. The programme aims to highlight real-life stories of young people who overcome challenging circumstances and backgrounds through the power of positivity.

CLP Power Chief Corporate Development Officer Quince Chong says: “I know we've got it right when I listen to the real-life stories of these young people.”

In addition to sponsoring the award, CLP also matches employee mentors with the award-winning students to provide them with support and guidance.

One of the mentors, CLP Power Academy senior instructor Jason Yeung says the students have made a profound impression on him. “For many of them, just living with parents in a decent home is a luxury. The practical help we can offer may not be much but we can listen to them and give them some support and comfort. We can also share our own experiences in overcoming difficulties and offer them advice on academic and career matters.”

Here are the inspiring and life-affirming stories of three of the 20 winners of this year’s award:

Home away from home

Ka Ho was downcast when he and his family left their home in Shanwei in Guangdong province and moved into a 100-square-feet cubicle home in Hong Kong. “I used to live with my family in a three-storey house and I had my own bedroom,” he recalls.

“Life in Shanwei was not luxurious but it was good. I played four hours of basketball every day. But I lost all of that when I came to Hong Kong.”

School was no easier. Unable to speak Cantonese, he found himself isolated and without friends. His academic results were poor. He would go alone to the library when classes ended. “I asked myself ‘Why did I give up my good life in Mainland China and come to Hong Kong?’,” he says.

As he reflected on his new life, however, Ka Ho realised his mother had sacrificed a nursing job to move to Hong Kong to support him and his brother. His father told him: “You reap what you sow.”

“I began to realise I had done nothing to change my life and I was just sitting and waiting for opportunities,” he says. “I expected other people to give me light but I forgot that I could also shine.”

He began to work hard at his best subject, maths, and helped classmates who in turn helped him with his Cantonese and English. “I couldn’t change my environment but I could change my mindset,” he says.

Ka Ho kept going to the library and became an avid reader and went on to win a science competition with his brother. Friends and academic success, have given him renewed hope. “I am confident I can reach new heights even though I live in a cubicle home,” he says with a happy smile.

Overcoming a motherless childhood

Tik Sun grew up in foster homes because his single mother was unwell and unable to care for him. Since childhood, he has only been able to see her at weekends.

“When I was young, I didn’t understand what was happening,” he says. “It wasn’t until I was eight or nine that I got to know my mother’s situation and began to sort out my relationship with her.”

Tik Sun rose above his difficulties at home to apply himself to his studies, indulging his passion for geography and astronomy in particular. He has now graduated from secondary school and was accepted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong for its science programme.

“Problems are challenging but they can be solved,” he says. “Are they crises or opportunities? It depends on how you think and how you respond to them.

“I have lived under other people’s roofs since childhood. I have learned we cannot take things in life for granted – a mother, food, clothes, even a clean bed. I am grateful for what I have.”

A dramatic turnaround

Cornelius was a troublesome pupil. Diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dyslexia in primary school, he felt inferior and lonely and got into fights with other children.

“I was punished by being made to stand outside the staff room during every recess,” he recalls. “My classmates laughed at me.”

His life slowly turned around in secondary school where one teacher told him: “If you can’t cope with today’s difficulties, you won’t be able to face up to tomorrow’s challenges.” Another teacher encouraged him to divert his energy into drama.

Cornelius took to the stage and his talent shone through. A teacher invited him to enter a drama competition and he won the Outstanding Actor award. “Even though my academic results were not good, I had been passionate about movies since I was very young,” he says.

He plans to apply for a place in the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts in pursuit of his dream. “My dream is to become a famous actor and even to go to Hollywood,” an excited Cornelius says.

To learn more about CLP’s connection with society, please check out the latest issue of CLP.CONNECT.

Tweet me:Staying positive can turn lives around, say young winners of the CLP Energy for Brighter Tomorrows award. http://bit.ly/2Qo4HXF #CLPsustainability #CLPGroup

KEYWORDS: CLP, Energy for Brighter Tomorrows, HKSE:0002.HK, Hong Kong

   

Common Impact Connections Newsletter: Holiday Edition

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In this issue: a look to the year ahead, new podcast episodes, social sector spotlights, and cross-sector partnerships in action!

SOURCE:Common Impact

DESCRIPTION:

Happy Holidays! As we close out 2018, the Common Impact team is reflecting on the significant impact we've made with our partners this past year. We are excited to see skills-based volunteerism continue to play an important role in building stronger communities and developing purpose-driven professionals across all sectors. While we are proud of what we have accomplished so far, we know there is more work to be done in 2019 and beyond to continue to drive meaningful community partnerships. 

Interested in learning more about what is going on behind the scenes at Common Impact?

  • Check out a preview of two key areas we are focusing on in 2019:
    • Skills-Based Volunteerism to Build Disaster Resiliency
      • We are shaping a more effective and efficient role for disaster response by enabling volunteers to use their skills to build community resiliency and alleviate the long-term impacts of community disasters. 
    • Developing Tools to Advance Pro Bono Service
      • We are working with a collaborative team of industry experts to reimagine The Readiness Roadmap platform, a tool that guides nonprofits through the process of preparing for, engaging in and evaluating pro bono.
         
  • Looking for social impact inspiration over the holidays? Tune in to new Pro Bono Perspectives podcast episodes:
  • See our social sector spotlights:
    • Creating a business plan for program expansion
      • We paired CityLink with volunteers from Fidelity Investments to assess and recommend new partnerships that focus on skills training. Check out their video to hear about the impact. Spoiler alert - serious inspiration!
    • Supporting Veterans through Skilled Service
      • We paired PeopleFund with a team of JPMorgan Chase volunteers to lead market research that would uncover high-impact Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) throughout the U.S. that are focused on veterans. The project will support PeopleFund as they build an outreach strategy and develop new partnerships to better serve the veteran small business community.
        Read more about the project!
         
  • Check out cross-sector partnerships in action:
    • Making Good Happen at Work with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
      • We spent #GivingTuesday in Boston with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation for the first-ever Making Good Happen at Work conference in Boston. The conference brought together leaders from the corporate, nonprofit and public sectors for an interactive conversation on creating and scaling employee service and giving programs
    • Omega Institute
      • We launched a partnership with Omega Institute, a pioneer in female executive education. The collaboration offers an immersive experience to two female change-makers by pairing Omega's novel curriculum on power structures and personal growth with Common Impact's capacity-building services, to enhance the community-driven approach of women leaders and strengthen their respective organizations' talent pipelines.
    • Points of Light Service Enterprise Initiative
  • Get involved in our upcoming events
    • Webinar: High-Impact Volunteer Engagement: Developing Effective Capacity Building Projects. Hosted by the Foundation Center
      • Calling all nonprofit partners! Join our Director of Consulting, Jackie Hodgson on February 21, 2019 from 2:00 - 3:30 pm EST to learn how to achieve organizational readiness and work through a project scoping process to ensure more effective pro bono service opportunities. Learn more and register here
         
  • Consider giving to Common Impact this holiday season
    • Your gift to Common Impact will sustain and strengthen local nonprofits across the country that work tirelessly to ensure that every woman, man, and child has access to quality education, healthcare, housing, food, culture and more. We couldn't do it without the support of individuals like you who believe in our work and understand the importance of investing in the backbone of the nonprofit sector.  
       

Check out our full newsletter to stay up to date with the latest and greatest at Common Impact. Our warmest wishes for a happy holiday season!

Tweet me:Happy Holidays! @CommonImpact is excited to close out 2018 with new models of impact, new podcast episodes and incredible stories of impact. Check out their newsletter for the latest and greatest http://bit.ly/2CkNTYE. #probono #socialimpact

KEYWORDS: Common Impact, foundation center, newsletter

A Warm Place for the Holidays

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SOURCE:Rebuilding Together

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This time of year loved ones come together, share a meal and create new memories. For many of our neighbors, that is just not possible. One of the challenges to this comforting picture of the holidays is not having a safe and warm place to gather.

Rebuilding Together installs and repairs heating and cooling systems for our neighbors who cannot afford them. With your help we can make sure our older neighbors and families with young children can stay warm this winter: https://rebuild.rebuildingtogether.org/

Rebuild a House. Create a Home.

Tweet me:Everyone deserves a warm place to gather for the #holidays. With your help, @RebldgTogthr can keep older neighbors and families with children warm this winter: http://bit.ly/2LolLXx #RebuildAHouse #holidaygiving

KEYWORDS: rebuilding together, holidays, heating assistance, HVAC, winter, holiday giving, Rebuild A House

EPA Recognizes Sodexo for Food Recovery Achievements

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SOURCE:Sodexo, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

GAITHERSBURG, Md., December 20, 2018 /3BL Media/ Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company committed to Quality of Life, was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its food recovery achievements during the 2017 EPA Food Recovery Challenge. In honor of the company’s ongoing commitment toward food waste prevention, Sodexo was named as the EPA’s national Endorser of the Year.

“We are proud to be recognized by the EPA for our commitment to food recovery,” said Ted Monk, vice president for corporate responsibility at Sodexo. “As always, we strive to integrate food waste prevention into our business through training and awareness, which is outlined in our Better Tomorrow 2025 strategy.”

Sodexo was recognized with the national Endorser of the Year award for educating businesses/organizations, including its clients, about the importance of sustainable management of food and the EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge. Within the past year, Sodexo influenced 60 of its sites to join the challenge including Loyola Marymount University, New Mexico State University and Kansas State University among others.

To drive this message, Sodexo hosted hands-on waste reduction training for Sodexo employees and clients, redeveloped and revamped a waste reduction action plan available to all Sodexo operators and deployed Sodexo’s WasteWatch by LeanPath program, a technology combining sustainability and efficiency through an automated food waste tracking and analytics platform, at all applicable Sodexo sites globally.

Acknowledging that waste is one of the planet’s biggest collective challenges, Sodexo has committed to eliminating avoidable waste globally by 2025 through the company’s Better Tomorrow 2025 corporate responsibility roadmap. Included in this roadmap is Sodexo’s commitment to endorse and advocate for initiatives such as the EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge.

“EPA is proud of the commitment [Sodexo] demonstrated to reduce food waste from the environment,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator, Cosmo Servidio. “Through EPA's Food Recovery Challenge, EPA partners with municipalities, businesses, nonprofits and other entities to reduce the amount of food in landfills and help them save money on waste disposal.”

About Sodexo North America

Sodexo North America is part of a global, Fortune 500 company with a presence in 72 countries. Sodexo is a leading provider of integrated food, facilities management and other services that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life for millions of customers in corporate, education, healthcare, senior living, sports and leisure, government and other environments daily. The company employs 150,000 people at 13,000 sites in all 50 U.S. states and Canada and indirectly supports tens of thousands of additional jobs through its annual purchases of $9.2 billion in goods and services from small to large American businesses. Sodexo is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion and safety, while upholding the highest standards of corporate responsibility and ethical business conduct. In support of local communities across the U.S., the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation has contributed close to $32 million over the past 20 years to help feed children in America impacted by hunger. To learn more about Sodexo, visit SodexoUSA.comSodexoInsights.com and connect with us on FacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitter and YouTube

Tweet me:EPA Recognizes @SodexoUSA for Food Recovery Achievements http://bit.ly/2AbCau5

Contact Info:

Heidi Marino
Sodexo, Inc.
Heidi.Marino@sodexo.com

KEYWORDS: EPA, US, Sodexo, Corporate America, environment, Food Recovery, food waste prevention

Booz Allen Leads the Way for Women on Corporate Boards

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SOURCE:Booz Allen Hamilton

DESCRIPTION:

On average, women hold 20 percent of the seats on Fortune 1000 corporate boards, according to a recent report by the diversity advocacy group 2020 Women on Boards. This year, Booz Allen was proud to add two extraordinary women to its board of directors, Michéle A. Flournoy and Ellen Jewett, who joined directors Joan Amble, Melody Barnes, and Gretchen McClain to make Booz Allen’s board 38.4 percent female -- nearly double the industry average.

In addition, Booz Allen stands out among publicly traded companies for gender diversity at the highest levels of firm leadership with 6 of the 11 members of the leadership team being women.

In an October interview with Washington Technology, chief people officer Betty Thompson said, “We are looking for the highest quality people and diversity is certainly a part of that. People want to see people that are like them at the top of the company and on the board.”

Recently, Women Inc. magazine featured Amble, Barnes, and McClain among its 2018 Most Influential Corporate Directors in recognition of their work on the Booz Allen board. The 2018 Most Influential Corporate Directors list “represents a sampling of women’s professional excellence at the highest level” and will be featured in the winter 2018 edition of Women Inc.

“Women Inc. is proud to recognize this distinguished group of women serving on public boards,” said Catrina Young, executive vice president and chief communications officer of Women Inc. Magazine. “We are inspired by these accomplished executives, their distinguished careers, and the corporations that demonstrate inclusive board composition.”

Multifaceted leadership that empowers others

Amble joined Booz Allen’s board in 2012 after holding a variety of executive positions for American Express Company and GE Capital. She also serves on the boards of Sirius XM Holdings Inc. and Zurich Insurance Group, is a member of the Standing Advisory Group for the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), and co-founded W.O.M.E.N. In America, a leadership program designed to enable high-potential women in business to achieve their goals.

Before joining Booz Allen’s board in 2015, Barnes worked for President Barack Obama, U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, and the Center for American Progress. She’s currently a senior fellow and visiting professor at the University of Virginia and a principal of MBSquared Solutions LLC, the domestic policy strategy firm she co-founded. She also serves as chair of the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions and as a director at Ventas Inc., a real estate investment trust.

Flournoy was Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from 2009 to 2012 and co-founded the Center for a New American Security. A managing partner at WestExec Advisors and a Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, she is also currently a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Aspen Strategy Group. Previously, she served on the Defense Policy Board, advised the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and was a distinguished research professor at the National Defense University.

Jewett brings to Booz Allen’s board experience in domestic and international finance, business and investment, talent management, and airports and infrastructure. She spent more than 20 years at Goldman Sachs in positions including head of the public sector transportation group and the airport finance group. She is currently managing partner at Canoe Point Capital LLC and previously worked at BMO Capital Markets as managing director and head of U.S. Government and Infrastructure.

McClain, who joined Booz Allen’s board in 2014, played a pivotal role in the development of the International Space Station Program, serving as chief director of the space station and deputy director for space flight. She spent nine years with NASA as deputy associate administrator for space development. She’s held senior executive positions with Honeywell Aerospace, ITT Corporation, and Xylem—where she was president and CEO—and also currently serves on the board of directors for AMETEK.

Learn more about the 2018 Most Influential Corporate Directors list and how Booz Allen supports women in the workplace.  

Tweet me:Read how @BoozAllen leads the way for women on corporate boards http://bit.ly/2ScfwZv

KEYWORDS: Booz Allen Hamilton, NYSE: BAH, awards and recognitions, Leadership, women, Women’s Leadership, corporate boards


Driving Social Impact for the Long Term

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SOURCE:Comcast Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

As 2018 comes to a close, it offers an opportunity to reflect on the past year and how we can continue to help close some of the opportunity gaps that persist in our society.

Core to our values as a company is investing in causes for the long term to make a tangible and meaningful impact. Today, we are proud to share some significant milestone moments that have had a positive change on our communities.

Opening Doors through Internet Essentials

Our Internet Essentials program truly exemplifies what happens when we use one of our greatest strengths – technology – to open doors to new opportunities. Since the program launched, we’ve reached more than 6 million low-income Americans and connected them to the power of high-speed internet in their homes. From helping students complete homework assignments to parents and veterans who can more easily apply for jobs, access to the internet offers endless possibilities.

Teaching Coding Basics

Digital literacy and access to technology are critical for more people to participate in the digital economy – including young children aspiring to bright futures. We’ve provided $500+ million in cash and in-kind support since 2011 to fund digital literacy training and awareness. Recently, to support our release of The Grinch, we partnered with a nonprofit organization to create an online game starring the Grinch to teach coding basics. Featured during the national “Hour of Code” week this December, the game has already reached more than 1 million users and will be distributed to dozens of nonprofits for their use, including City Year as well as Boys & Girls Clubs, with 4 million members around the world.

Serving the Military Community

Members of the military community are some of the most capable and adaptable employees, who are also skilled at earning trust, building relationships, and taking on leadership roles – and that’s why in 2018 we announced our commitment to hire thousands of additional military community members, bringing our total to 21,000 military hires by 2021. We also seek to serve military spouses who face their own challenges, and focus on programs that build a supportive workplace culture for everyone.

Leading Workforce Diversity

Diversity & Inclusion is not just a program or initiative, but part of our DNA. We are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining the best talent from all backgrounds and providing paths to help people grow and develop their careers. More than 60% of our Comcast NBCUniversal employees are women or people of color, and over half (52%) of all employees across Comcast NBCUniversal report to a woman or person of color. In addition, we have spent more than $16 billion with diverse-owned suppliers since 2010, including more than $4 billion in 2017 alone. We believe it’s this commitment to diversity and inclusion that makes Comcast NBCUniversal such an incredible place to work, and earned us recognition as the No.2 “Best Workplace for Diversity” by Fortune and the Great Place to Work Institute.

Rebuilding Communities

Service is fundamental to our culture and there is no more universal example of that throughout our company than Comcast Cares Day. Our signature volunteer effort highlights the work our employees do each and every day of the year in our local communities. Last April, we celebrated surpassing 1 million Comcast Cares Day volunteers since 2001, by surprising our millionth volunteer, who was at Michigan’s largest LGBTQ community center to help clean and spruce up the surrounding grounds.

Mentoring Local School Children

We are consistently humbled by our employees’ commitment to prioritizing others and their local communities, including students. More than 1,000 of our employees have volunteered as “Bigs” through Beyond School Walls, the nation’s largest workplace mentoring program with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. We celebrated our 10th program anniversary this year, and our employees who volunteer their time to transform children’s lives.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Service

And it is not just our employees and their families immersed in service who are making a difference. We exceeded more than 100 Comcast NBCUniversal-sponsored City Year teams since our partnership began in 2003, and the members of these teams volunteer a year each to collectively keep thousands of children on the track to graduate high school. At this year’s “Opening Day” ceremonies, a new class of young people committed to ensuring students find new possibilities, believe in themselves and realize their full potential.

Helping to Set Individuals Up For Success

Reaching people no matter where they are in life and providing them with resources to position themselves for success is an essential part of our community engagement. To date, we have provided nearly $30 million in college scholarships to high school seniorsthrough our Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship program. And thanks to the incredible generosity of our employees’ contributions this year, our company has now contributed over $100 million to United Way to help local communities – giving millions of individuals and families nationwide access to the basic needs of food, education and housing.

As Comcast founder Ralph Roberts often said, “The healthier and more vibrant the communities are where our employees and customers live and work, then the healthier and more vibrant our company is going to be.”  These are just a few of the ways that we bring this value to life every day. We look forward to continuing this work and seeing the changes we help make happen in our communities in 2019.

Tweet me:.@ComcastNBCUCI is driving social impact for the long term. As 2018 comes to a close, check out some of their significant milestone moments that have had a positive change in their communities http://bit.ly/2Cr1qy3

KEYWORDS: NASDAQ:CMCSA, comcast, Internet Essentials

Subaru of America and Make-A-Wish Share the Love with 1,800 Wishes and Counting!

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SOURCE:Subaru of America

DESCRIPTION:

For 11 years, Subaru of America, Inc. has donated $118 million to charity through its annual Share the Love Event, creating smiles and transforming the lives of thousands of people. Of those funds, Make-A-Wish® has received more than $16.4 million to grant more than 1,800 wishes.

The 2018 Subaru Share the Love Event will take place Nov. 15, 2018 – Jan. 2, 2019. For every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased during the event, Subaru will donate $250 to the customer's choice of selected charities, including Make-A-Wish. The participating national charities will each receive a minimum donation of $250,000.

This holiday season show the world that there is no limit to the love we can share with others. Visit your local Subaru retailer or Subaru.com/share to learn more.

By granting wishes, we give families hope. See what 11 years of the Subaru Share the Love Event means for Make-A-Wish.

Tweet me:.@Subaru_USA and @MakeAWish Celebrate 1,800 wishes and counting http://bit.ly/2Rjhcjn #ShareTheLove #charitablegiving

KEYWORDS: subaru, Make-A-Wish Foundation, charitable giving, Share the Love, holiday giving, NYSE:FUJHF

Corporations Could Be the Best Weapon in Combating Climate Change

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An essay by Nicola Peill-Moelter (Caltech PhD ’97), Director of Sustainability Innovation at VMware.

SOURCE:VMware

DESCRIPTION:

There is a popular, long-held notion that business and the environment are at odds. That conservation is a fight against capitalism and its rabid thirst for profits is at the expense of the environment. That commerce is an unstoppable force that must be reined in for the sake of the future of the planet.

As a lifelong environmentalist, I get that. 

I grew up in a small, rural village, 100 miles northwest of New York City—close to but really a world away from the urban environment. I was raised in an environmentally conscious household, appreciating my natural surroundings, conserving water and energy, and recycling and composting long before those practices were commonplace.

Those values stayed with me. After getting a chemical engineering degree and taking a job in the field, I decided to merge my passion for the environment with my profession. I headed to Caltech to earn a doctorate in environmental engineering science, wanting to address the world’s most pressing challenges by getting ahead of them, rather than fixing the damage after it was done. 

Continue reading on Caltech.edu

Tweet me:Companies that use #sustainability to inspire #innovation in the face of #climatechange will outperform those that don't. Will their resilience speak volumes to investors? An essay by @VMware's Nicola Peill-Moelter: https://bit.ly/2R9CenY @greenqween @Caltech

KEYWORDS: VMware, CalTech, Akamai, Conservation, Sustainable Business, Innovation, Nicola Peill-Moelter

KeyBank Finances the Construction of Affordable Housing for Low- to Moderate-Income Households in Portage, MI

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Selinon Park Apartments to provide 75 new affordable units

SOURCE:KeyBank

DESCRIPTION:

CLEVELAND, December 20, 2018 /3BL Media/—KeyBank provided and arranged a total of $17.4 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) financing to Full Circle Communities for the construction of Selinon Park Apartments, providing 75 affordable housing units serving households that earn 30% and 60% area median income (AMI) in Portage, MI.

Specifically, KeyBank’s Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) team provided a $13.5 million construction loan and KeyBank Real Estate Capital arranged a $3.9 million Freddie Mac taxable forward commitment permanent loan with a 15-year term and 35-year amortization schedule.

Stephen Sparks of KeyBank’s CDLI team and Jeff Rodman of KeyBank’s Commercial Mortgage Group worked together on the financing.

About Key Community Development Lending/Investment

KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment (CDLI) helps fulfill Key’s purpose to help clients and communities thrive by financing projects that stabilize and revitalize communities. Experts in complex tax credit lending and investing, Key is one of a handful of affordable housing lenders in the country with a platform that brings together balance sheet, equity, and permanent loan offerings. For its ability to lend to, invest in, and serve its communities – especially low-to-moderate income communities – KeyBank has earned nine consecutive “Outstanding” ratings on the Community Reinvestment Act exam, from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

About KeyBank Real Estate Capital

KeyBank Real Estate Capital is a leading provider of commercial real estate finance. Its professionals, located across the country, provide a broad range of financing solutions on both a corporate and project basis. The group provides interim and construction finance, permanent mortgages, commercial real estate loan servicing, investment banking and cash management services for virtually all types of income producing commercial real estate. As a Fannie Mae Delegated Underwriter and Servicer, Freddie Mac Program Plus Seller/Servicer and FHA approved mortgagee, KeyBank Real Estate Capital offers a variety of agency financing solutions for multifamily properties, including affordable housing, seniors housing and student housing. KeyBank Real Estate Capital is also one of the nation’s largest and highest rated commercial mortgage servicers.

About KeyCorp

KeyCorp's roots trace back 190 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $138.8 billion at September 30, 2018. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of over 1,100 branches and more than 1,500 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

Media Contact: Laura Mimura, laura.mimura@key.com, 216.471.2883

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KEYWORDS: keybank, NYSE:KEY, affordable housing

UN Global Compact Mandate Renewed by Member States

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SOURCE:United Nations Global Compact

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK, December 20,2018 /3BL Media/ The United Nations Global Compact was today encouraged to continue engaging the private sector in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals with a renewed resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly.

The resolution, under General Assembly agenda item 27 — Towards global partnerships: A principle-based approach to enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and all relevant partners — reiterates the broad mandate of the UN Global Compact, which is “to advance United Nations values and responsible business practices within the United Nations system and among the global business community.”

UN Member States also encouraged the private sector to enhance its involvement in combating climate change, and welcomed the commitments to leadership on climate action already made by relevant stakeholders. Recognizing that the private sector has an important role to play in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and targets outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Member States also called attention to the Global Compact Local Networks as helping to provide an avenue for diffusing United Nations values and principles and facilitating partnerships with business on a broad scale.

UN Member States also recognized “the vital role that the United Nations Global Compact Office continues to play with regard to strengthening the capacity of the United Nations to partner strategically with the private sector.” In this context, the resolution expressed support for the work of the UN Global Compact to encourage all businesses to adopt principles for responsible business and investing and to take account of the environmental, social and governance impacts of their activities.  The key role of the integrity measures of the UN Global Compact was also emphasized as Members States are looking for best practices and ways to improve transparency and accountability in multi-stakeholder partnerships involving the UN.

UN Global Compact CEO & Executive Director Lise Kingo commented: “We thank the UN Member States for their expression of strong confidence towards the work of the UN Global Compact and for renewing their support to us.  We welcome the Member States’ emphasis on accountability, transparency, coherence and risk management in UN-business collaboration, and look forward to continuing our work to ensure that partnerships deliver tangible impact in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.”

The progress of the UN Global Compact in engaging the private sector to implement responsible business practices and support UN goals will next be reviewed in 2021.

Tweet me:The @UN General Assembly renewed its resolution for the UN @globalcompact to continue partnering with #business to advance the #2030Agenda for Sustainable Development: unglobalcompact.org/news/4419-12-20-2018

Contact Info:

Leila Puutio
UN Global Compact
+1 (646) 884-7523
media@unglobalcompact.org
https://www.unglobalcompact.org/
@globalcompact
www.facebook.com/UNGlobalCompact
www.linkedin.com/company/united-nations-global-compact
www.instagram.com/globalcompact

KEYWORDS: United Nations Global Compact, UN General Assembly, Global Partnerships, responsible business practices, climate change, private sector, business ethics, SDGs, Stakeholder engagement

21CF Sponsors Nat Geo Photo Camps to Teach Young People the Power of Visual Storytelling

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SOURCE:21st Century Fox

DESCRIPTION:

National Geographic Society and 21st Century Fox joined forces to welcome nearly 80 students around the world to Nat Geo’s signature Photo Camp workshops, which teach young people from under-served communities, including at-risk and refugee teens, to use photography to tell their own stories, explore the world around them, and develop deep connections with others. This year’s slate of camps pulled in students from Chennai, Kolkata, Houston and Puerto Rico, the latter two of which were both struck by devastating hurricanes last year and whose youth were encouraged to explore the ongoing impact and recovery from their personal perspectives as they captured the loss, hope, and resilience in their communities.

The camps highlighted the power of young people telling their stories not only to understand the world around them, but to better understand their role in it and how they can change the world themselves. Through intimate presentations in their own communities and public exhibitions that reach millions of viewers, Nat Geo Photo Camps showcases the students’ perspectives on issues that are important to everyone.

At each of the four camps in India and the US, underwritten with funding by 21CF, world-class National Geographic photographers and National Geographic magazine editors provided students with a personalized, immersive learning experience, inspiring the next generation of photojournalists. With guidance from the experts, each student was tasked with pitching ideas around their communities and then set out to capture those stories. Between editing drafts of written copy and photographs, the Nat Geo team also presented examples of their own work and offered sessions ranging from technical camera work to the art of story ledes and interview skills. Students asked questions and sought advice for breaking into journalism and honing their skills after the camp concluded, and on the last day, the students presented their photographs at pop-up exhibitions in the community.

  • In Houston, students captured the indiscriminate destruction wreaked by Hurricane Harvey on families diverse in every aspect, with unique stories of loss, community, and rebuilding within the larger story of the storm. One of the subjects covered included an elderly man who had been living along in a single room of his badly-damaged home for nearly the entire year since Harvey struck.
  • In Chennai, the students explored a range of urban stories, including microscopic insect life in the city, the daily toils of artisanal fishermen, under-reported deaths among Dalit sewer workers, and the fading milkman trade.
  • In Puerto Rico, the camp also saw students detailing the damage of natural disaster, from the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria on one family’s coffee and banana plantation in the mountainous Adjuntas region, to the decades-long systemic struggles and recently-flooded, heavily-polluted canal in San Juan’s Caño Martín Peña neighborhood.
  • In Kolkata, students covered the disappearance of two historical modes of transport, the tram and the rickshaw, a family whose village is crumbling from the effects of a dam on the Hooghly River, conflicts between environmental consciousness and religious celebration, profiles of transgender and LGBTQ communities in the city, and a look into the lives of a soccer team whose members are children of sex workers from Asia’s largest red-light district.

​Take a look at more of the students’ photos here

To learn more about 21st Century Fox’s Social Impact initiatives, please visit impact.21cf.com and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @21CF_Impact.

Tweet me:.@21CF_Impact supports @NatGeo Photo Camps in global effort to teach young people the power of visual storytelling http://bit.ly/2SdlKIv

KEYWORDS: National Geographic, photography, 21cf, 21 Century Fox

Essity’s Emission Targets in Line with Paris Climate Agreement

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SOURCE:Essity (Formerly SCA)

DESCRIPTION:

Essity’s new targets for reduction of greenhouse gas emission have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. With this, Essity’s sustainability targets are now aligned with the Paris agreement objectives to keep global temperature increase below 2°C.

The Science Based Targets initiative is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), World Resources Institute (WRI), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and is one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments. The initiative champions science-based targets, setting as a powerful way of boosting companies’ competitive advantage in the transition to the low-carbon economy.

“Essity’s goal to reduce emissions through the whole value chain has now been approved by leading, independent organizations and it clarifies our contribution to the Paris agreement. To reach our targets, collaboration and innovating resource efficient products and solutions is essential”, said Magnus Groth, President and CEO, Essity.

The commitment includes absolute targets for energy, electricity, transports, raw materials, suppliers and waste. For energy use within the company and purchased electricity (scope 1 and 2), Essity commits to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2030 from a 2016 base-year. Essity commits to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from purchased key raw materials, transport, waste generated in operations and end-of-life treatment of sold products (scope 3), by 18% by 2030 from a 2016 base-year.

“Congratulations to Essity for their newly approved science-based target, setting them onto a future-proofed Paris-compliant pathway. It’s especially encouraging to see the target covers emissions from Essity’s supply chain and treatment of their products at the end of their life, as well as direct operations. It’s clear this is the future of business and Essity is getting ahead of the curve by setting this kind of ambitious target”, said Alexander Farsan, Global Lead for science-based targets at WWF.

Tweet me:Essity’s #sustainability targets are now aligned with the Paris agreement objectives to keep global temperature increase below 2°C. @EssityUSA http://bit.ly/2Cq3yGd

KEYWORDS: OTC:ESSYY, Essity, climate agreement, Emission Targets, Science based targets, TorkUSA, sustainability, Life Cycle Assessments, Paris Agreement


How General Mills Sustainably Sources Food Ingredients from Around the World

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by Kevin O'Donnell, Director of Global Sustainability Sourcing & Operations at General Mills

SOURCE:TriplePundit

DESCRIPTION:

To produce enough food to feed an increasingly hungry world, we must take care of the people who are raising the crops as well as the land, water and air needed for them to thrive. As a global food company that relies on ingredients from around the world, we pay careful attention to the impact of agriculture on our environment and the ability of farmers to be successful.

We know consumers are increasingly interested not only in where their food comes from but how it is grown and by whom. We share consumers’ desire for transparency about what goes into our products. To create supply chain resiliency and enable growth, we need to protect and conserve the raw material base our business depends on.

And we believe passionately that we can use General Mills’ size and scale for doing good. ‘Treating the World with Care’ is one of our key corporate pursuits and something that’s long been in our company DNA.

Commitment to sustainable sourcing

For these reasons, we made a commitment in 2014 to sustainably source our top ten priority ingredients by the end of 2020. These commonly used ingredients, which represent more than 40 percent of our annual raw material purchases, include cocoa, vanilla, oats, wheat, sugar beets, corn, milk, sugarcane, palm oil and fiber packaging. By the end of fiscal 2018, 85 percent of the raw materials outlined in this commitment were sustainably sourced.

Hurdles remain, but we continue making progress toward our 2020 goal. To get there, we focus on improving the environmental, social and economic impacts of sourcing our top ten raw material ingredients. This helps ensure availability of the categories we need to make our products and aligns with our core values. It also helps us meet our consumers’ growing desire to understand the link between the food they purchase and its origin.

As you may imagine, the challenges faced by cocoa farmers in West Africa vary drastically from the issues that are more prevalent with wheat farmers in Kansas or oat growers in Canada. We source raw materials from around the world and as such, tailor our sustainable sourcing strategies to address different risks and opportunities. We’ve utilized three key strategic approaches: Origin-direct investment, continuous improvement and verification.

Origin-direct investment

We source cocoa through supplier partners who procure it from smallholder farmers in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria and similarly, vanilla from Madagascar. We know that when farmers can earn a good living and take care of the local environment, their lives are better and their communities are more stable. That’s why we invest in these farmers and their communities – to improve livelihoods and the sustainability and quality of our ingredients. Learn more about how we are improving the sustainability of vanilla grown in Madagascar and of cocoa grown in West Africa.

Continuous improvement

Row crops and dairy are undoubtedly among the most resource intensive of our 10 priority ingredients. To source these raw materials sustainably, we measure the progress of farmers’ raw material and natural resource efficiency, including energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, water quality and water irrigation use, soil conservation, soil carbon and land use. The data gathered from these measures allows us to work with farmers to drive continuous improvement over time in our North American supply chain. Learn more about how we are increasing the sustainability of Canadian oats and U.S. wheatcorn and sugar beets.

For milk, we work with farmers and dairy cooperatives to collect data and calculate sustainability impact from the farm to our production facility. Then we meet to review results and discuss how to make improvements in areas like crop production, animal feed and manure management to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other environmental impacts.

Verification

We continue to increase the sustainability of fiber packaging, sugarcane and palm oil by working across the industry to improve practices, expand value chain transparency and validate progress. Challenges in these supply chains range from the risk of deforestation associated with fiber packaging to the rights of workers helping to grow and harvest sugarcane and fresh palm fruit bunches. Currently, more than 99 percent of the fiber packaging, 58 percent of the sugarcane and 100 percent of the palm oil we purchase is sustainably sourced.

We continue to collaborate with farmers, suppliers and other partners to refine our approach as we seek to more sustainably source the raw materials we use in food production and packaging. For example, to drive progress toward our 2025 goal to reduce GHG emissions, we are increasingly looking at our full global raw materials purchasing through a climate lens. For example, we’re leveraging our existing North American continuous improvement engagements for row crops as a springboard to help famers understand and accelerate adoption of regenerative agriculture practices that store and increase soil organic carbon as well as a host of other sustainability benefits.

We know that using limited resources and natural systems in a smarter and more efficient manner is essential to feeding a growing population and lightening our impact on the planet. Learn more about our sustainable sourcing efforts, the results we have achieved to date and next steps in our journey.

This article series is underwritten by General Mills and went through our normal editorial review process. 

Tweet me:Learn about @General Mills' commitment to #transparency, #supplychain resiliency and sustainably sourcing priority ingredients by the end of 2020 http://bit.ly/2RWg0Tx via @TriplePundit #sustainableagriculture #SDGs

KEYWORDS: General Mills, SS:GenMills2018, Sustainable sourcing, triplepundit, sustainable agriculture

Global Reporting Initiative Paves the Way for More Transparency Around Corporate Tax Practices

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SOURCE:GRI

DESCRIPTION:

December 21, 2018 /3BL Media/ Tax and payments to governments are one of the most important sources of income for governments and play a vital role in enabling the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It is through tax and payments to governments that companies, big and small, contribute to society. 

Recent tax related scandals, such as the release of the Panama and Paradise Papers, have led to a public debate around the world and a growing demand from investors, civil society, media and governments for more information on how companies approach taxes. To address this information need, the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB), GRI’s independent standard-setting body, earlier this year launched a project to consider creating a new reporting standard aimed at promoting greater transparency around a company’s approach to taxes. Today it has published the draft standard for public comment. 

“Stakeholders need and expect consistent, quality information about tax and payments to government in order to have an informed public debate around questions of equity, fairness and acceptability of tax approaches,” says Judy Kuszewski, Chair of the Global Sustainability Standards Board. “Tax revenues and their application are essential to society’s ability to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. Likewise, tax transparency promotes trust and credibility in the taxation system and in the tax practices of companies. It enables stakeholders to make informed judgments about whether a company’s position on tax and payments to governments reflects society’s priorities and creates a reliable basis for decision-making.” 

The current state of public tax reporting leaves much to be desired. A recent study by RobecoSAM indicated that only 17% out of 830 companies surveyed were reporting publicly on tax payments at a country level, and most of these were only operating in a single country.

This number is anticipated to increase significantly. 80% of respondents in a recent OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) survey by Deloitte, targeting tax and finance managers and executives from multinational companies in 38 countries, said they expect public country-by-country reporting to be adopted globally in the next few years. GRI’s proposed tax standard aims to take a major step towards enabling such reporting by setting out common, well defined disclosures related to tax strategy, governance, control, risk, and stakeholder engagement, as well as country-by-country reporting of income, tax, and business activities.

“As the global standard-setter for ESG reporting, GRI is uniquely positioned for this pioneering work. The multi-stakeholder approach led by GRI’s independent Global Sustainability Standards Board allows a consensus position on transparency to be developed through the collaboration of all relevant stakeholder groups, exclusively in the public interest. This approach guarantees a globally acceptable standard that enables vital societal dialogue to address global sustainability challenges. We invite all interested stakeholders to engage during the upcoming public comment,” Kuszewski adds.

Further Information
The draft tax and payments to governments standard is open for public comment through 15 March 2019 here: bit.ly/TaxDisclosure 

Press contact
Peter Paul van de Wijs 
Chief External Affairs Officer, GRI 
vandewijs@globalreporting.org 
+31 (0) 6 23132463

About GRI
GRI is an independent international organization that has pioneered sustainability reporting since 1997. GRI helps businesses and governments worldwide understand and communicate their impact on critical sustainability issues such as climate change, human rights, governance and social well-being. This enables real action to create social, environmental and economic benefits for everyone. The GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards are developed with true multi-stakeholder contributions and rooted in the public interest.

Tweet me:.@GRI_Secretariat paves the way for more transparency around corporate tax practices: http://bit.ly/2Abf3zN

KEYWORDS: global reporting initiative, GRI Standards, sustainability reporting, SDG Reporting, tax

Subaru Celebrates Winter Adventure With Return of Subaru WinterFest in 2019

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Automaker launches multi-city, experiential mountain destination and lifestyle tour geared towards winter warriors

SOURCE:Subaru of America

DESCRIPTION:

CAMDEN, NJ, December 21, 2018 /3BL Media/ - Subaru of America, Inc. announced the return of Subaru WinterFest, the automaker’s highly anticipated, multi-city mountain destination and lifestyle tour offering one-of-a-kind experiences for winter warriors across the country. Featuring weekend takeovers at nine of the nation’s top winter resorts, the 2019 Subaru WinterFest tour combines music, adventure, food & beverage, pets and the environment to create a truly unique experience that speaks to the passion points of outdoor enthusiasts and Subaru owners alike. The automaker will implement additional green event practices this year including expanded recycling collection with TerraCycle® and waste reduction education with Leave No Trace.

In partnership with POWDR, one of the last family-owned adventure lifestyle companies with multiple mountain resort destinations, each stop on the Subaru WinterFest tour will include live music  sponsored by Harman Kardon® from national touring indie/bluegrass/Americana/folk bands such as Lukas Nelson & Promise of The RealLanghorne Slim & The LawG Love & Special Sauce, and The Lil Smokies, as well as music from emerging artists and DJs provided by SiriusXM® radio. Visitors are encouraged to demo the latest gear from top brands such as Nordica, Lib Tech, Thule, Shred and other partners offering daily giveaways at on-site tiny house inspired event trailers complete with rooftop and front decks.

Mountain-goers are invited to play lawn games, relax in hammocks, or warm up at upgraded hangout zones with fire pits by Solo Stove while enjoying winter comforts from Stumptown Coffee Roasters, SMASHMALLOW, Chocolove and KIND Healthy Snacks. Through dynamic programming executed by POWDR’s experiential marketing team, weekend guests are encouraged to engage with experts and like-minded adventure seekers – making time off the slopes just as exciting as on them.

“Adventure and outdoor exploration is engrained in the DNA of the Subaru brand and our owners, so we are thrilled to kick-off Subaru WinterFest for the 2019 season,” said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America Inc. “Year after year, we are delighted by the growing enthusiasm each stop of the tour receives, and we are excited to integrate new elements of our Subaru Love Promise this year, in addition to the many activities attendees have come to love and look forward to.”
 

Subaru Loves Pets

Dogs and their people are welcome at Subaru WinterFest, where they'll find games, guided training sessions, photo ops, and giveaways at Super Chewer Outpost by BARK. These basecamps for dog adventures are built at select stops on the tour (Copper, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Boreal, and Mt. Bachelor) in partnership with BARK, the makers of BarkBox.

In collaboration with longtime partner the National Ski Patrol (NSP), Subaru will continue to put a spotlight on outdoor safety by celebrating the mountain communities’ canine heroes. During WinterFest events this season, for every Subaru information form received, Subaru will donate $1 to the Subaru National Ski Patrol Avalanche Rescue Dog Scholarship Fund, created in unison with NSP to send five avalanche rescue K-9 teams of dogs and their handlers to the biannual Wasatch Backcountry Rescue’s International Dog School.
 

Subaru Loves the Earth

New for 2019, Subaru is working alongside TerraCycle to collect recyclable waste generated during Subaru WinterFest and Leave No Trace to educate consumers on zero landfill practices. In partnership with Klean Kanteen, Subaru event teams will also provide attendees with reusable bottles and mugs (while supplies last), as opposed to single-use cups, throughout each weekend.  

Subaru vehicles, such as the all-new, 2019 Subaru Ascent SUV and Forester Sport, will be on-site for consumers to experience at every stop of the tour. In addition, Subaru owners will enjoy perks such as VIP parking for easy access to the lift and lodge, as well as premium gifts while supplies last.
 

2019 Tour Dates

A full schedule for Subaru WinterFest 2019, including featured musician/band(s) and Super Chewer Outpost by BARK locations can be found below:

Dates

Resort Location

Musician/Band(s)

Super Chewer Outpost by BARK

January 12-13

Snowshoe Mountain, WV

The Lil Smokies (1/12)

No

January 19-20

Jack Frost Big Boulder, PA

The Lil Smokies (1/19)

No

January 26-27

Boyne Mountain Resort, MI

The Lil Smokies (1/26)

No

February 15-17

Copper Mountain Resort, CO

Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real (2/16) Langhorne Slim & The Law and Kind Hearted Strangers (2/17)

Yes

 

 

February 22-24

Snowbird, UT

G. Love & Special Sauce (2/23)

No

March 2-3

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, CA

The Lil Smokies (3/2)

Yes

March 8-10

Boreal Mountain Resort, CA

The Lil Smokies (3/9)

Yes

March 15-17

Mt. Bachelor, OR

G. Love & Special Sauce, Langhorne Slim & The Law (3/16), and Lil Smokies (3/15)

Yes

March 22-24

Eldora Mountain Resort, CO

Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real (3/23) and the Lil Smokies (3/24)

No

For more information on a Subaru WinterFest stop near you, please visit: www.subaru.com/winterfest and follow #SubaruWinterFest.

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA has donated more than $120 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged more than 40,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do.

For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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CONTACT:
Diane Anton
Subaru of America, Inc.                                 
856-488-5093
danton@subaru.com

Joe Perri
Jaclyn Bingold
MWWPR
Subaru@mww.com

Tweet me:.@Subaru_USA launches the 2019 #SubaruWinterFest! How the automaker is combining winter fun, food, music, dog activities with #sustainability practices http://bit.ly/2S8YsDQ #recycling #charitablegiving #DontFeedtheLandfills #SubaruLovestheEarth

KEYWORDS: NYSE:FUJHF, Subaru of America, Subaru Winterfest, TerraCycle®, Leave No Trace, Recycling, National Ski Patrol, Subaru National Ski Patrol Avalanche Rescue Dog Scholarship Fund

    

Teaching New Skills & Embracing Talent from Everywhere Fuels Growth in a Rapidly Changing Digital Economy

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SOURCE:Cisco Systems Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

Today, more than ever, we hear about issues related to the workforce and the age of a digital economy: from talent shortages and immigration to skills gaps and economic inequality to job creation and inclusion. On their own, these are big issues to solve for, but together they represent both opportunities and challenges for Cisco, our customers, and our partners.

But as I think about these issues and how they impact our increasingly digital economy, one thing is clear: people are the heart of it all. And there are three key areas where we can help people that I believe will continue to drive economic opportunity and growth.

Enabling New Skills Development

How do we ensure we align the right people with the right skills focused on the right work and in the right locations to capitalize on the changing workforce of today and tomorrow? It starts with creating consistent definitions across industries around job roles, skills, and capabilities that are indicative of future abilities rather than past achievements. This sounds basic, but the shared lexicon between industries and countries when it comes to the workforce hardly exists today which slows hiring, allows for unfairness in practices, and in turn, lost economic opportunity.

We also need to think how we can create career talent opportunities that better prepares students, either from a standard university approach or targeted technical paths. In particular, a much more robust apprenticeship-like approach that gives student earlier visibility into the workforce and career pathways. We are testing this approach with a three-year program in engineering which recruits from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business; Berkeley Haas; Kellogg School of Management; USC Marshall School of Business; and MIT Management Sloan School.

Embracing Talent from Everywhere

Today, our CEO Chuck Robbins and the Business Roundtable released a study on the impact a reduction in visas for high-skilled international students who graduate from U.S. universities would have on the U.S. economy. The findings alone make clear the importance of embracing talent from home and abroad to continuing economic growth:

  • A decrease in real U.S. gross domestic product by about a quarter of a percentage point by 2028. The slowdown in economic growth is caused by a decline in immigrant consumers and workers who would otherwise reduce hiring shortages and fill skills gaps.
  • A loss of 443,000 jobs over the next decade — including 255,000 jobs held by native-born workers. This result reinforces the findings of prior studies that show that foreign-born workers actually create jobs for native-born workers on aggregate, rather than displace them.

Protecting & Advocating for People

In the face of economic and social uncertainty it’s our responsibility to protect and advocate for people. How is this related to economic growth? Because people make up the workforces and economies that are often looked at in an abstract manner. If we want to see continued economic growth, encourage hiring, and create highly-skilled workforces, we must create an environment where people feel they are supported and can thrive despite the uncertainty that is out there. It’s no coincidence that you see so many companies and NGOs publicly taking stands around discriminatory policies, practices, and laws. They simply create barriers that impede economic growth.

The economic and workforce shifts we face today are no doubt daunting, but I believe that viewing them through the lens of people-first rather than individual economic, job creation, or education challenges will open up a world of opportunity. I look forward to sharing more about our progress as we continue on our journey to address what people need in these times.

Tweet me:.@CiscoCSR outlines 3 key areas to help combat issues such as skills gaps and economic inequality that many people are facing in today's workforce http://bit.ly/2SZJzU7 #DigitalEconomy

KEYWORDS: NASDAQ:CSCO, cisco systems, economic inequality

Advocating for Our Youngest Innovators #WorldChildrensDay

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By Alex Gorsky

SOURCE:Johnson & Johnson

DESCRIPTION:

Children are born innovators.

They experiment and create marvelous new things. Ask any parent how the constant “why” questions, from their children, have changed how they see the world.

As we look to solve the biggest challenges of the next fifty years—in healthcare and beyond—we will need their most innovative and daring thinking. That all begins with them leading happy and healthy lives, starting with the crucial early years.

This week, in partnership with UNICEF, we harnessed some of these innate talents and celebrated World Children’s Day.

True to form, our young audience asked me and Caryl Stern, President and CEO of UNICEF USA, many important questions about our partnership and how we’re helping children around the world. I invite you to check out the full video above.

Since our founding, we’ve proudly advocated for children. We feel an enormous sense of gratitude whenever we’re in a position to bring life-changing opportunities to children all across the world.

This World Children’s Day, let’s celebrate the transformative power of childhood wonder. When they are able to light their spark, kindled by our efforts to support them, we’ll be able to tackle any challenge together. 

Tweet me:Children are born innovators http://bit.ly/2PArHNJ @JNJNews is advocating for #WorldChildrensDay

KEYWORDS: Johnson and Johnson, UNICEF, World Children’s Day, NYSE:JNJ

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