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Reed Elsevier Makes Caring a Worldwide Mission
Pictured here are children and teachers at
LfL’s school – supported in part by RE Cares
– in Takia Doga, Pakistan. In the wake of a
2005 earthquake in Pakistan, money donated
by RE helped supply strong winter tents to
help prevent further loss of life and allow
schooling to continue.
Reed Elsevier maintains a strong commitment to giving
back to communities worldwide. One way the company accomplishes this is
through the RE Cares program, launched in 2003. This program focuses on
education for disadvantaged young people and community initiatives of
importance to local employees. In 2005, over 7,000 RE employees participated
in the program, helping it achieve a significant impact on
improving life for people in communities around the world.
Through the program, each RE employee is encouraged to devote two paid workdays per year to volunteering, to participate in additional
volunteer activities and to donate to worthwhile causes. The program also allows staff to nominate charities for funding from a central budget supporting the RE Cares focus on education for disadvantaged young people. RE Cares activities, driven by employees spanning ranks and teams, differ from region to region and office to office.
Human Resources Director Kim Chan with Elsevier in Singapore noted, “As Elsevier and other Reed Elsevier companies develop and grow in the Asia Pacific region, the RE Cares program is gaining momentum. Many employees are volunteering their time and effort for this program, and it is thriving in Singapore, India, Japan and Australia.”
The program’s support of Learning for Life shows
how RE Cares is benefiting Asia Pacific nations. A London-based charity,
LfL works with local partners in Afghanistan, India and Pakistan to support
education and training in rural regions and urban slums and provide emergency
relief in exceptional circumstances. In the past two years, RE Cares has
contributed nearly US$40,000 to LfL projects.
LfL’s project most recently benefiting from RE
Cares involves post-earthquake reconstruction in Pakistan. In October
2005, a wide swathe of India and Pakistan was devastated by an earthquake,
and 25 LfL-sponsored schools in Pakistan were destroyed or damaged. To
help, RE Cares donated $26,000 to assist with rebuilding schools and constructing
new schools in Balakot and Mansehra in Pakistan. Reed Elsevier was the
first donor to offer to help LfL's children return to schools. LfL hopes
to have all the schools constructed and equipped and teachers trained
in the next five months so the children have a warm, safe place to go
to during harsh winter months. 
www.learningforlifeuk.org
www.reedelsevier.com/staging/ReviewReport/g1.html
