Henkel Smile
Henkel recognizes its responsibility to society and reflects this in its business practices. Our social commitment is firmly embedded in our corporate values and in our corporate history. It is based on the conviction that solutions which are jointly reached on a basis of partnership will benefit all concerned.
We have grouped all our social involvement programs - international corporate citizenship activities that go beyond our business undertakings - under the Henkel Smile umbrella. With this program, we promote and support social, educational, scientific, arts, culture, sports, health and environmental projects. Alongside material contributions, an important role is played by the people who also devote their enthusiasm, understanding, willingness to help, and personal commitment to their project ideas.
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Focus on Sustainability
The effect is, without exception, positive; for society as a whole, as significant contributions are made toward achieving the Millenium Development Goals of the United Nations; for regions and communities, as employees at Henkel sites address local challenges and provide targeted support where it is needed; and for the employees and pensioners, whose bonds are strengthened through this shared commitment.
In addition, we have linked our sponsoring activities more closely to our social commitment and have persuaded numerous sponsoring partners to join us in supporting social projects. These partnerships will be expanded even further in the future.
Modules for implementation
Under the umbrella of Henkel Smile, our worldwide commitment is channeled through four independent modules for implementing project ideas and initiatives.
1. MIT Initiative
2. Social Partnerships
3. Corporate Donations
4. Henkel Friendship Initiative
Contribution to global development goals
Through the non-profit projects of Henkel Smile, Henkel and its employees help to improve the quality of life of many people by improving their situation or simply making them happier. This commitment goes beyond these individual benefits, however, and achieves much more; it contributes toward addressing worldwide problems and challenges. In the year 2000, in its Millenium Development Goals, the United Nations identified the urgent social and political issues of the present and the future and formulated eight goals to be reached by 2015. Through Henkel Smile, Henkel makes many small contributions toward the achievement of these goals - especially in developing and emerging countries.
Selected Henkel Smile projects as they relate to the United Nations' eight Millenium Development Goals
| Millenium Development Goals | Henkel Smile Projects 2006 (selection) |
| 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger |
Dominican Republic: Building a new orphanage (Casa Santa Anna) in Babey Nuevo |
| 2. Achieve universal primary education |
Nepal: |
| 3. Promote gender equality and empower women |
USA: Project to help young girls in Detroit , Michigan, to plan their careers |
| 4. Reduce child mortality |
Germany: Acquisition of a microplate reader for the University Children's Hospital in Düsseldorf to help research children's infectious diseases |
| 5. Improve maternal health |
Peru: Medical support for underage mothers and their children in Ventanilla, Lima |
| 6. Combat HIV / AIDS, malaria and other diseases |
Tanzania: Construction of a school for AIDS orphans in Leguruki |
| 7. Ensure environmental sustainability |
Hungary: Educational activities centering around environmental protection in Körösladány Nature Park |
| 8. Develop a global partnership for development |
South Korea: Support for a soccer team for children of Mongolian workers in Seoul |