sain t-gobain annu al report 2008 annual report

76
In countries facing certain social and health problems,
subsidiaries often deploy more local initiatives,
most often designed to meet the leads of neighboring
communities. This is the case in India, where for several years,
Saint-Gobain Glass India has organized campaigns to help
prevent eye diseases. More than 9,000 children have been
examined and more than 300 have received treatment.
AIDS awareness-raising campaigns are also organized,
with subsidiaries in South Africa playing a particularly
active role.
Solidarity with underprivileged people
Solidarity is often expressed at a very local level, to provide
direct assistance to people in the host community
in the form of toys, clothing and other items donated
by employees. Donations are also made through local
specialized organizations, such as the Red Cross in many
countries or more specifically, the United Way
of Massachusetts in the United States. For 85 years,
our US subsidiaries have contributed to the United Way,
the country’s largest charitable organization.
In South Africa, the Construction Products Sector subsidiaries
provide financial support for the Niall Mellon Township Trust,
which helps underprivileged people build their homes.
Lastly, some of these initiatives are designed to promote
international solidarity. In France, head office teams
enthusiastically participated in the first inter-company
challenge organized in the La Défense business district
by the Action Contre la Faim association, raising more
than €2,500 for its campaign against hunger.
ROMANIA: A SOCIAL PROJECT FOR ISOVER FRANCE
The Isover team at the new Chemillé plant in France
chose a rather unconventional approach to formalize
the first meeting of all of its members: a group
humanitarian project in Romania. Under the aegis
of Isover France and Habitat for Humanity “Romania”,
26 members of the Chemillé team were able to participate
in the construction of social housing. This was
an opportunity for them to get to know each other better
and develop closer relationships, and also to exchange
thoughts with the Isover team in Ploiesti, Romania.
Source: Isover news, October 2008.
CHINA: SAINT-GOBAIN OFFERS SUPPORT
TO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
Saint-Gobain wanted to contribute to the Chinese
government’s response by providing aid to the victims
of the terrible earthquake that struck Wenchuan,
Sichuan Province, southwest China in May 2008.
Saint-Gobain decided to donate RMB 1 million
and the 12,000 Saint-Gobain employees in China organized
a collection in the 50 local companies which raised
RMB 1.86 million.
Saint-Gobain also undertook to support recontruction
projects in the cities affected by the earthquake,
by supplying free construction materials.
Source: 2008 Yearbook.
Culture and research
Among the many local initiatives underway, a number
of cultural and research-related projects stand out. In 2008,
a partnership was initiated with the Cité de l’Architecture
et du Patrimoine, which plans to organize joint events in 2009.
The partnership is perfectly aligned with our positioning as
a provider of building solutions. There are also a wide range
of local support programs, such as in Spain,
where Saint-Gobain Canalización has partnered
the Santander Music Festival for 11 years and sponsored
the closing ceremonies in 2008.
Most of our research centers work closely with government
research agencies and universities in France and abroad.
In 2006, the Saint-Gobain University Network (SUN) was
formed with leading universities in Russia, the United States,
India and Germany. In France, a framework agreement
was signed with the National Center for Scientific Research
and a Saint-Gobain endowed chair was set up with École
Polytechnique and École Supérieure de Conception
et de Production Industrielles.
Since 1995, the Group has sponsored the Saint-Gobain Young
Researcher’s Award under the aegis of the French Physics
Society.
In the same spirit of intellectual exchange, we continue
to support the Cournot Center for Economic Research,
a corporate foundation co-chaired by Robert Solow, winner
of the Nobel Prize in Economics, and Jean-Louis Beffa.
The Center regularly organizes conferences and debates
to support research and promote knowledge-sharing
in economics.
Lastly, in line with our commitment to effectively encouraging
and supporting innovative projects, since 2006 we have
fostered relationships with start-ups by investing in venture
capital funds.
Saint-Gobain - 2008 Annual Report