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Corporate citizenship refers to the ways that companies relate to the communities in which they function. Some companies help to organise public-private partnerships aimed at solving critical community problems. Others form foundations and channel funds to other agencies and groups who carry out needed research or problem solving. These activities relate back to that triple bottom line - social, environmental and financial - of much concern to businesses committed to health.
Projects:
 A local project called Humuliza, sponsored by the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development and Terres des Hommes Switzerland, has been providing psychological care for AIDS orphans in the region of Kagera, Tanzania for three years now.
The Humuliza project conducts 14-week programs with orphans with the aim of stabilizing the children psychologically and socially. The program is based on group interventions and also a "child-to-child" approach. This recognises that children who have similar experiences can benefit from exchanging information and understanding that their situation is not unusual and is in no way a "failure." This approach also takes account of the fact that young people are much more willing to accept emotional support from people of their own age than from adults.
There are also some income-generating methods that the project uses. For example, the project offers the orphans to work for their breadwinners, such as grandparents, and receive 150 Tanzanian shillings for each completed project. This enables the children to make a contribution to supporting themselves, while at the same time promoting cohesion between the generations. In some cases, the project also pays school fees. As a 14-year-old girl said, "I am proud that I was recently able to buy a bed sheet with money that I earned myself."
As part of Dannon's (The Danone Group) overall commitment to fighting  hunger, employees regularly volunteer at their local food banks. Activities include helping to sort and repack donated food products for redistribution to shelters and soup kitchens.
Dannon employees and 5th graders from Felicita Elementary School repainted food drive collection barrels at the San Diego Food Bank.
 The H. J. Heinz Company Foundation is committed to promoting the health and nutritional needs of children and families. Priority is given to programs in communities around the world where Heinz operates, with a special focus on southwestern Pennsylvania. The Foundation proactively donates funds to develop and strengthen organisations that are dedicated to nutrition and nutritional education, youth services and education, diversity, healthy children and families, and quality of life. The Foundation supports socially responsible endeavors and encourages Heinz employees to participate in voluntary activities in support of charitable organisations.
IFM is proud of the contributions its member companies are making to their triple bottom lines (social, environmental, and financial) and to making the world a better place.
Last Updated: March 2004
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