Mercedes 2009 Annual Report Download - page 147

Sustainability | Social Responsibility |143
Sponsorship in the fields of education, sport and culture.
In its role as a sponsor, Daimler cultivates long-term partnerships
with various members of society. Our aim is to promote sustain-
able development in areas of vital importance to society. We are
particularly committed to the areas of education, the environment,
the arts and culture at our worldwide locations.
In 2009, we approved sponsoring guidelines designed to ensure
that our donations are in compliance with current legal require-
ments and ethical standards. The guidelines are also intended to
ensure the internal and external transparency of the process of
allocating material assistance and funds.
One example of our sponsoring activities is our support for the
15th UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009,
where we supplied a fleet of highly efficient and environmentally
friendly cars, vans and buses. In total, Daimler provided more
than 50 vehicles for mobility at the conference with various drive
systems – from BLUETEC diesel to hybrid to fuel cells.
Corporate volunteering and other activities for the common
good. A strong community is indispensable for the well-being
of our employees and our neighbors, and this in turn benefits our
company. That’s why we cooperate closely with local authorities
and charitable organizations in the places where we have business
locations. For example, we are committed to the expansion of
childcare centers near our plants and to the promotion of educa-
tional and training programs.
We can count on our employees’ voluntary involvement in
numerous projects. They invest their time and efforts in order
to advance charitable projects.
During the “Day of Caring” established by Daimler Financial Ser-
vices, our employees were involved in social projects for example
in Germany, Canada, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, Thailand and
the United States. Their activities included re-equipping children’s
homes, refurbishing schools and youth clubs, and building humane
accommodation for families in need.
Support through foundations. In several countries, we have
established foundations through which we combine our company’s
social commitment activities. The Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz
Foundation, established in 1986, mainly promotes research in the
areas of social sciences, the environment and technology. The
Daimler Fund in the German Donors’ Association for the Promotion
of Sciences and Humanities focuses on research and teaching
the next generation of scientists and their international coopera-
tion. The Daimler Foundation in Japan supports cultural programs
and charitable projects. Furthermore, in 2009 we established the
German section of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which
is involved in charitable projects for children and young people in
connection with sport.
More examples and details of projects promoted by the Group and
of our social commitment activities can be found in the Daimler
Sustainability Report and on our website under “Sustainability”
(www.daimler.com/sustainability).
“Each girl is a star” – an educational project of Mercedes-Benz Turkey in collaboration with CYDD, a Turkish women’s organization.