SAP Launches Multi-Company Collaboration to Support Agenda 2030 Through Skilled Volunteering

NEW YORK, September 5, 2018 /3BL Media/ -- Building on their extensive experience to deploy employees to address some of the most challenging problems in the world, SAP announced Wednesday at the United Nations Headquarters the establishment of the “Corporate Champions for Education,” a multi-company, cross industry collaboration to send skilled corporate volunteers into short-term assignments in underserved communities.  

“As a market leader in enterprise application software, SAP’s enduring purpose is to help the world run better and improve people’s lives,” said Alexandra van der Ploeg, SAP’s Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). “Our CSR focus is to foster opportunities for the current and future workforce through digital inclusion.”

One of the key strategies of the firm has been to place highly skilled professionals into short-term pro bono positions in underserved communities around the world through their Social Sabbatical initiative. Now, they are going one step farther—extending that platform to other companies to join them in this effort. 

“We are actively seeking companies large and small to join us as Corporate Champions for Education,” said van der Ploeg. “Our intent is to collaborate with them to increase the capability of organizations that focus on preparing youth and /or adults for a digital world. We believe that building the capacity of local organizations is the best, most sustainable way to ensure that their clientele have the requisite competence and confidence to participate in today’s—and tomorrow’s—global, and increasingly digital, economy.” 

Participants from several companies across industries will form diverse teams to work on specific projects, using their professional business and operational skills, during four week secondments with non-profit organizations in select underserved markets.

“We’ve had the pleasure of partnering with SAP for the last seven years through their Social Sabbatical, and we’re delighted that we’ll be able to extend that opportunity to other companies through the Corporate Champions for Education,” said Deirdre White, PYXERA Global CEO. “We always talk about the ‘triple win’ of Global Pro Bono activities, which serve as excellent leadership development programs, at the same time they bring much needed expertise to organizations in underserved communities—enabling them to better meet challenges embodied within the Global Goals. Companies gain as well, through new insights and well-deserved reputations for corporate social responsibility.”

SAP will fund underlying program development and administration of the program, which will be implemented by PYXERA Global. Collaborating companies will pay a flat fee for each participant, inclusive of travel, hotel, and food, as well as training and on-the-ground support.

About PYXERA Global (@PYXERAGlobal)  
For more than 27 years, PYXERA Global has leveraged the unique strengths of corporations, governments, social sector organizations, educational institutions, and individuals to enhance the abilities of people and communities to solve complex problems and attain mutually beneficial goals. 

The PYXERA Global team is passionate and dedicated to navigating challenges and pinpointing purposeful global engagement opportunities for its clients and partners. Initiatives include a wide range of services from local content development to Global Pro Bono programs and integrated community development efforts that transform lives and livelihoods. The organization will host The Global Engagement Forum: Live October 10–11, 2018, in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. 

For questions, please contact: 

Roger Bain
Media & Thought Leadership Manager
RBain@pyxeraglobal.org
+1.202.810.0140 

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