10-year Novartis celebrates its 10th Community Partnership Day
On April 27th, all over the world, Novartis associates took part in the Community Partnership Day (CPD), supporting their local communities through a wide range of voluntary activities.
April 27, 2006 - This year’s Community Partnership Day was the tenth in the series of Community Partnership Days, commemorating the day of the merger of Sandoz and Ciba-Geigy to form Novartis in 1996. Around the world, more than 10,000 associates took part in projects for the benefit of their communities.
According to Michael Pluess, Head of Novartis Switzerland: “The focus of Community Partnership Day is on service to the community. It’s of great importance for Novartis, as a company operating globally, to be well integrated socially at the local level. Our Partnership Day makes it possible for associates to help the communities where they live and work. This collaboration with institutions, organizations and individuals directly concerned often gives rise to long-term relationships with a lasting impact.”
In India, for example, hundreds of Novartis staff joined forces with selected non-governmental organizations (NGOs) carrying out charity work in Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay). The NGOs involved sell items such as cups, food products and craft goods, with the proceeds being donated to various projects – mainly in aid of children, women and the elderly.
In Mexico, a health team consisting of Novartis specialists and local care personnel offered free check-ups for the general public.
In Spain, staff supported various projects, including renovation work to create a more family-friendly environment at the neonatology department of a hospital in Barcelona. Another initiative involved the refurbishment of a kitchen operated by a foundation for immigrants, the elderly and underprivileged children. In addition, a blood donation facility was set up to enable associates to contribute as donors.
In the Philippines, 60 senior managers and employees spent time with children, and participated in activities like tree planting and refurbishment of a playground. A highlight was the donation of cash and medicines (through the Philippine National Red Cross) to the victims of Southern Leyte mudslide.
In Switzerland, over 2500 associates took part in the Community Partnership Day. In Basel, volunteers accompanied children with Down’s syndrome on visits to a car museum and the local zoo, while others took a group of disabled children to a theme park. In Bern, associates supported a range of environmental initiatives, while staff from the Nyon site helped to clean up the Asse river. In addition, a number of volunteers from Nyon, together with a local NGO, spent the day with children at a hospital in Geneva.