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Investor Relations - Annual Report - Corporate Social Responsibility
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Guardian Holdings recognises that Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) is an integral part of
enlightened business practice and strategy. GHL is
therefore committed to running its business to high
ethical, legal and professional standards and, to
fulfill this mandate, member companies focus on four
key areas: community, environment, marketplace
(ethical finance) and workplace (health and safety,
human resources and industrial relations practices
and policies).
In terms of social investment, member companies have
devised various mechanisms to reach out to key
sectors of our communities. For example, awareness
of safe driving practice in Trinidad & Tobago and
Barbados is heightened through a road safety
initiative, now in its 17th year. The current
branded Road Safe programme is disseminated through
press, television, a mascot, a board game, a
defensive driving booklet and a roll out across
schools in those islands.
In recognition of the global trend of aging
populations, Fatum launched in 2005 a national
Pension Seminar in Curacao which was expanded to
include Aruba and St. Maarten. This B-2-B Pension
Seminar allows public and private sector officials
the opportunity to discuss and develop crucial
pension themes. These include new legislation for
self-employed workers, and the future of Fatum’s
first “pillar” pension. As an added incentive, Fatum
encourages companies to adopt pension plans with
their respected Best in Business Award, earned by
those companies who achieve business excellence in
different areas.
Just as importantly, employees are picking up the
challenge of reaching out to the socially displaced
in our midst. They are doing so not just through
personal financial commitments but through hands on
involvement with families and groups.
GHL recognises the importance of literate societies
to generate high quality human resource capital. At
the primary school level, Group companies have
partnered with technical experts and the Ministries
of Education in Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad &
Tobago to produce
educational software and, in one instance, a video
series on Mathematics and English for the 8 to 12
year old age group. At the same time, collaboration
continued with The University of the West Indies via
the annual Premium Teaching Lecture Series and
Awards in the St. Augustine, Mona and Cave Hill
campuses. In 2008 Guardian Life of the Caribbean and
the St. Augustine campus will mark the tenth
anniversary of this unique corporate/academic
partnership.
The Caribbean has been buffeted by rising crime
rates in recent years. The Group continues to
promote a positive lifestyle by involvement in sport
through its sixth consecutive year of sponsorship of
the IAAF sanctioned regional Carifta Games, the
premiere track and field event for junior athletes.
As with all major sponsorships, GHL personnel take
an active role in the planning of the event.
Every individual and organisation has a direct
impact on the environment. It is both a corporate
responsibility and an obligation to minimise any
such adverse impact and take proactive steps to
conserve and preserve Planet Earth. To this end, GHL
member companies comply with the requirements of
environmental legislation and approved codes of
practice in the countries in which they operate. The
conservation and preservation cause is promoted
through support of an independent Wildlife Trust,
established in 1992.
Our employees are also engaging in a number of
corporate green initiatives aimed at reducing the
carbon footprint of the group. Proposals include
more effective recycling schemes, and reductions in
paper usage and power consumption. In the UK,
opportunities are being explored with a number of
key broker partners surrounding eco friendly car
insurance schemes. A Group Green Policy which will
be applicable to all territories is being developed
and will be communicated to all employees by the
third quarter of 2008. This will also help to raise
awareness, encourage participation and train
employees in environmental matters.
