Mars Wins First ‘Sustainable Economy Award’ For Its ‘Vision For Change’ Program
Sustainability initiative recognized at the EU-Africa Chamber Of Commerce Gala ceremony
BRUSSELS, Belgium, December 10, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Mars, Incorporated has been presented with the Sustainable Economy Award by the EU-Africa Chamber of Commerce (EUACC), for its ‘Vision for Change’ sustainability program.
Dr. Ridolfi, Director for Sustainable Growth and Development, and Head of Unit for Development and Cooperation, commended Mars for its contribution to Africa.
Gilles Morel, Regional President of Mars Chocolate Europe & Eurasia, received the award on behalf of Mars during the gala ceremony and gave a short speech expressing gratitude while outlining Mars’ Principle-based strategy of doing business in Africa.
The Vision for Change (V4C) program is an integral part of Mars Chocolate’s Sustainable Cocoa Initiative (SCI). It is an innovative and holistic approach to achieving sustainable cocoa production by addressing farmer productivity and community issues together.
Through the Vision for Change program, Mars partners with the Cocoa & Coffee Council (CCC) and other local Ivorian Government partners such as CNRA (an agronomic research center) and ANADER (local extension services). Vision for Change continues to play a crucial role in West Africa, strengthening Mars’ Global Chocolate Cocoa strategy, and improving the lives of many within the region.
About CSR In Africa Awards
On Wednesday, 26th November 2014, the EU-Africa Chamber of Commerce (EUACC) hosted a gala ceremony to showcase the winning projects of the first edition of the “CSR in Africa Awards”. (http://www.csr-in-africa.eu). The EU-Africa Chamber of Commerce, with the support of the EU Commission and Afreximbank, rewards some of the best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The 8 shortlisted companies running for the final prizes, after more than forty expressions of interests received are: Cocopack,Deutsche DHL, Ecofund, Frigoken, Kakuzi, Mars, Newmont Ghana, Woolworths
The EUACC “CSR in Africa Awards” aims to: (1) give a higher visibility to CSR best practices in Sub-Saharan Africa, (2) raise awareness and showcase CSR as a tool of performance and competitiveness, (3) encourage shared-value approaches and engage the private sector from Africa and Europe. Three main categories have been defined: The Sustainable Economy Award - The Environment Award and The Social Impact Award. Two distinguished categories have also been defined: The “EUACC – Promising Project” Award and The “EUACC – Be Inspired” Award.
About Mars, Incorporated
In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars’ first roots as a confectionery company. In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar. In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of building a business based on the objective of creating a “mutuality of benefits for all stakeholders” – this objective serves as the foundation of Mars, Incorporated today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $33 billion, six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience, and more than 75,000 Associates worldwide that are putting its Principles into action to make a difference for people and the planet through its performance.
Mars brands include: Petcare – PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital, CESAR®, SHEBA®, DREAMIES® and NUTRO®; Chocolate – M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Wrigley – DOUBLEMINT®, EXTRA®, ORBIT® and 5™ chewing gums, SKITTLES® and STARBURST® candies, and ALTOIDS® AND LIFESAVERS® mints. Food – UNCLE BEN’S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS®, SEEDS OF CHANGE® and ROYCO®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA COMPANY™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – COCOAVIA® and WISDOM PANEL®.
For more information about Mars, Incorporated, please visit www.mars.com.
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