International parcel and express service provider DPD is entering into a partnership with the children's aid organisation Plan International Deutschland e.V. At the start of the cooperation DPD will be offering 50 sponsorships for young boys and girls in Africa, Asia and Latin America, thus supporting the Plan International projects aimed at improving the circumstances of children, their families and communities in these regions. The focus is on providing support for children and improving their educational opportunities. At DPD trainees at locations throughout Germany will take charge of the sponsorships.
To launch the partnership, which is planned for the long term, DPD will initially be sponsoring 50 children, with the company's trainees playing a central role. As the sponsors they will be assuming direct social responsibility, maintaining regular contact with the children they sponsor, writing letters and receiving reports about what has been achieved with the sponsorship funds. The support they provide to the sponsored children will be on a voluntary basis, while DPD will be responsible for the entire funding. As the trainees can continue their sponsorship even after the end of their apprenticeship, the number of active sponsorships will increase in the course of time. In addition the number of trainees at DPD is growing constantly. At present DPD has a total of 252 trainees in 14 different occupational specialisations at 76 locations throughout Germany.
Social responsibility is one of the four pillars of the DrivingChange™ sustainability strategy which was presented for the entire international DPDgroup in February of this year. The strategy attaches particular importance to direct participation by employees. For example, staff at the company's HQ in Aschaffenburg are regularly given time off for the 'DPD Volunteers' Days', at which they provide active support for social projects in the region.
Plan International is an aid organisation which is independent of religious or ideological affiliations and promotes the rights and opportunities of children worldwide in operations which are efficient, transparent and intelligent. For almost 80 years Plan has been working towards the objective of enabling children to live a life which is free from poverty, violence and injustice. In more than 70 countries the organisation actively involves children in designing their own future, with sustainable development of communities and improving living conditions in the organisation's partner countries as the overriding target. Plan responds in a fast and targeted manner to emergency situations and natural catastrophes which threaten the lives and well-being of children. The organisation shows particular compassion and understanding for girls and women, who are frequently especially disadvantaged. With the 'Because I am a Girl' initiative Plan aims to ensure that girls can develop their full potential throughout the world. The organisation's programmes prepare girls and boys for change and progress in a globalised world. In all its operations Plan is committed to the sustainable development objectives of the United Nations.
