Report and Accounts 1999 / 2000 - Carlsberg Group

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Group Staff Functions
allocation of resources is ensured through an
international career planning system. The Group
companies submit relevant information about key
employees and positions to this system.
For 10 years, Carlsberg’s Danish trainee programmes
within marketing/sales, finance and
production have attracted highly-qualified candidates
from universities and institutions of higher
education. The two-year trainee programme is
now made international through recruitment
among all nationalities. This initiative will strengthen
the internationalisation of the Group even
further.
The first meeting in the European Works
Council was held in February 2000. The 20
employee representatives from the Group’s
European companies met with the management
to discuss topical problems for European companies.
Beer and society
Beer plays an important role in society and is
often associated with spending a pleasant time
with friends and family. Most people enjoy drinking
a glass of beer and it is a natural element in a
healthy diet. Recent research even shows that a
moderate consumption of beer – two to three
units a day – can have a favourable effect on
health by reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular
diseases and other disorders. Even the
World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises the
beneficial qualities of beer when consumed in
moderation in its most recent “European Alcohol
Action Plan 2000-2005”.
Thus, Carlsberg believes that beer should be
enjoyed in moderate quantities and that beer as a
low-alcohol product brewed from the natural raw
materials malt, hops, yeast and water is compatible
with a healthy lifestyle.
Nonetheless, it is a fact that irresponsible consumption
of beer and other alcohol products is a
cause for increasing concern in society. Carlsberg
shares this concern and acknowledges that abuse
may have serious consequences for the individual
as well as for society, and that abuse is damaging
to the brewing industry’s reputation.
As a consequence, the breweries and society
share a common interest in fighting abuse. Carlsberg
is of the opinion that general restrictions to
limit overall per capita consumption will not reduce
abuse. Targeted activities such as information
campaigns, education and dialogue will have the
most positive effects on the individuals who are
not able to recognise the personal and social consequences
of abuse. In that connection, Carlsberg
supports specific activities, both national and international,
to promote sound beer culture and reduce
abuse.
Carlsberg’s active participation in The Amsterdam
Group and the publication of “The Amsterdam
Group Report 2001” is a good example of
the way in which the industry contributes to a