Supporting Rural Education Development in China Cargill donates USD 500,000 to jointly launch the "Cargill Cares Rural Education Program" with China Children and Teenagers' Fund
January 8, 2008
Contact: Cargill:
- Catherine Zhang, 13910976776, catherine_zhang@cargill.com
- China Children and Teenagers’ Fund: Xu Xiaoguang, 6522 5319, xxgbox@yahoo.com.cn
- Weber Shandwick PR: Rio Zhang, 13910327010, rzhang@webershandwick.com
Beijing — Cargill, a global leading food, agricultural commodity and service provider, signed a cooperative agreement with China Children and Teenagers’ Fund (CCTF) in Beijing today to establish the “Cargill Cares Rural Education Program”. Cargill aims to meet the needs of local communities close to Cargill factories and support the development of rural education. With the launch of this program, Cargill will aid approximately 20 rural schools in nearby communities of Cargill factories to improve their educational facilities. Gregory R. Page, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of Cargill, Ms. Hao Jianxiu, Vice Chairman of CPPCC, Ms. Feng Cui and Ms. Cheng Shuqin, Vice Presidents of CCTF, were also present for the signing ceremony.
The Cargill Cares Rural Education Program will fund the rural schools in three phases. At the beginning, Cargill will donate USD 500,000 for renovating school facilities in 20 schools located in areas nearby Cargill factories. Once the program takes off smoothly, Cargill would donate another USD 500,000 during the company’s 2008/09 fiscal year. Meanwhile, employees in Cargill Starch & Sweeteners Business Unit have raised an additional USD 300,000 through a marathon project to support rural education development in China. Further, staff volunteers at Cargill will also establish long-term partnerships with sponsored schools to conduct lessons on currency, finance and trade knowledge for students.
The “Cargill Cares Rural Education Program” spans five years, and aims to establish a platform for the sustainable development of rural education in China. Cargill plans to contribute even more actively to corporate social responsibility projects in the areas of rural development and education in China, so as to fully live up to its commitment of “serving communities and society”.
“Education has long been one of the most important missions in fulfilling Cargill’s corporate social responsibility in China,” said Mr. Page, elaborating on how Cargill has been an advocator in supporting rural education in China. “As a multinational company, with a history of over 140 years, Cargill has always been deeply concerned with local community development. In China, Cargill is dedicated to elevating the income level of local farmers and fostering rural economy development by investing to build new factories, providing farmers with training programs and purchasing agricultural products. Currently, Cargill operates more than 30 factories in China. Each of these factories has established a 'Cargill Cares Council' to organize community and CSR activities. With the growth of Cargill’s business in China, we hope to contribute more and to more rural communities. I hope the Cargill Cares Rural Education Program will contribute to promoting a better educational environment for children in rural China, as China’s future is in their hands. We hope that they will have a more promising future through our efforts.”
“It is a joyous occasion for the children at these 20 schools today,” said Ms. Song Liying, secretary general of CCTF. "Many children in rural areas in China still have no accesses to good education and boarding conditions, and this program will provide them with a better future. For the growth of these children, CCTF will cooperate with organizations or individuals from China or overseas to drive the development of education and welfare."
The cooperation between Cargill and CCTF started in January 2006, when Cargill donated RMB 2 million to establish Cargill China Cares Fund with CCTF. With the support of the fund, Cargill has established 28 Cargill Cares Councils nationwide, which consist mainly of Cargill employees. Besides being engaged in CSR activities, primarily in the areas of education, environmental protection and healthcare, these councils are committed to helping farmers, disabled children and other disadvantaged groups. In August 2006, Cargill was named “Philanthropist Enterprise” by CCTF.
“With the experience of CCTF and the All-China Women’s Federation in the management of education aid projects, and the devotion of Cargill Cares Councils and Cargill volunteers nationwide to children’s education and charity causes, the Cargill Cares Rural Education Program will benefit all children in communities nearby Cargill factories. At Cargill, we believe investment in education is an investment in the future. I hope that the Cargill Cares Rural Education Program will contribute to the development of rural communities, and to the realization of the larger objectives of Building the New Countryside,” said Mr. Page.
About Cargill
Founded in 1865, Cargill is an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services with 158,000 employees in 66 countries. Its revenue of fiscal year 2006/07 amounted to USD 88.2 billion, which would have ranked the company No. 18 among Fortune Global?)) 500 Companies if Cargill were a listed company. Its vision is to become a world-leading corporate citizen. For over 140 years since its foundation in 1865, corporate citizenship has been an important part of Cargill’s corporate value and corporate culture. Cargill is committed to being a global leader in corporate citizenship. We define citizenship as our total impact on society and the environment. The 4 cornerstones of citizenship include: responsible business practices, promoting a sustainable environment, engaging our workforce and ensuring their safety, and providing a measurable, positive impact in our communities
As one of the important players in China’s rural economy, Cargill has been concerned with the development of the rural regions, particularly rural education. As one of the aspects of its corporate citizenship, Cargill also actively advocates environmental protection and community service. In 2004, Cargill donated RMB 8.3 million to The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for the conservancy of biological diversity in the Yangtze River, Amazon River and Mississippi River valleys. Notably, RMB 2.5 million in the above donation has been used for biological diversity conservancy in Yunnan, environmental education and the China Biological Diversity Conservancy Blueprint Program.
Cargill started trade with China soon after President Nixon’s visit in 1972, and made its first investment in the country in 1987. Cargill’s annual trade value with China today exceeds US$ 5 billion. Annual sales of Cargill businesses located in China exceed USD 1.2 billion. Currently, Cargill sells grains, oilseeds, steel products, sugar, cotton, fruit juices, essences, meats and other commodities to China while exporting Chinese commodities such as steel, apple juice and food ingredients. It also provides ocean freight carriers and risk management clients with services and clients in the food and industrial fields with integrated solutions.
Cargill operates 34 wholly owned companies and joint ventures in 20 provinces in China. Projects range from feed protein to vegetable oil, cornstarch, and sweeteners made of corn, food ingredients and farmer-oriented products, such as animal feed and chemical fertilizer. With a total investment of about USD 700 million in China’s agricultural and food industries, Cargill and its partners employ 4,400 people in the country.
Cargill promotes sustainable agriculture and a secure food supply in China. To meet these objectives, the company works to improve efficiencies and adds value to the production, processing, distribution and trade of agricultural products in China, which will ultimately lead to higher income for Chinese farmers and better food security for Chinese consumers. By training farmers, opening new factories and providing more job opportunities, Cargill extends benefits to rural areas in China, shares its experience in global agricultural operations with the Chinese Government and its clients, and provides service to local communities. Cargill actively seeks further guidance and support for its activities from the Chinese Government and partners to better understand the needs and the requirements of the Chinese market to ensure collaboration on achieving China’s agricultural goals.
About the China Children and Teenagers’ Fund
China Children and Teenagers’ Fund (CCTF) was established on July 28, 1981 as one of the first charitable foundations in China. Persisting on its mission of facilitating the growth, development and education of children, CCTF has been working for the education and welfare of Chinese children, and calling for the care and contribution to children’s education from different communities of the society over the past two decades.
CCTF’s president is Madam Gu Xiulian, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and chairwoman of All China Women's Federation. Since 1989, CCTF has sponsored over 1.7 million girls in their education and career training and built over 500 primary schools in 30 provinces through its Spring Bud Project. 416,000 girls have benefited from career training offered by the project. Thousands more have had the opportunity to live a better life. Many of them have eventually excelled to be outstanding persons. In 2000, CCTF launched the China Children Safe and Healthy Growth (CSHG) Project, which aimed at preventing children from dropping out of school and keeping them safe from crime, illness and injury, and to create a safe, healthy environment for their growth. As best-known public welfare brands, the Spring Bud Project and the CSHG Project have been cited by The Situation of Children in China, Rural Development for Poverty Relief of China and Progress in China's Human Rights Cause in 2000. In 2005, the Spring Bud Project received the China Charity Award by the Chinese Government.