Corporate Social Responsibility
“We are responsible not only for what we do, but also for what we do not do!” In accordance with this admonition from the French poet Moliere, AvW is very much aware of its “Corporate Social Responsibility” or CSR. With its commitment to CSR, AvW is demonstrating that a corporate strategy of expansion and wealth creation does not stand in contradiction to a corporate culture and philosophy that acknowledges its social responsibilities. A real sense of responsibility, for AvW, means having regard to the interests of our customers, our shareholders and our employees, and caring for the environment, but it also means fulfilling our obligations towards those who are disadvantaged within our society.
Supporting social projects
Subject to taking account of the interests of its shareholders and customers, AvW gives back to the general public a part of the profits it has earned. In the context of our social commitment, an important part of our sponsorship goes to supporting families and people bringing up children on their own.
A social fund has been set up which benefits mainly families and children in Carinthia, and which AvW uses to support a number of social projects. The range of projects supported extends from individual sponsorship of children and young persons in the “Rettet das Kind” [save the child] integration centre in Seebach, to social initiatives, to supporting charitable projects such as the “VinziBus”. To ensure that this project for the homeless could be carried out in Klagenfurt also, AvW donated a considerable sum for the purchase of a bus.
AvW was the main sponsor for the week-long project “Die Kunst, durch die Kunst abzunehmen” [the art of losing weight through art]. The project aimed to use fun exercises and artistic activity, together with psychological, educational and medical support, to increase self-confidence among overweight children and young people and encourage them to change their eating habits.
In addition, 2007 saw the setting up of the Auer von Welsbach children’s charity fund. This fund is active throughout Austria and provides support quickly and without bureaucratic red tape to parents with adopted or foster children in the event of special financial burdens due to physical or psychological problems arising after the adoption date.
Over and above this AvW, in co-operation with a Carinthian weekly newspaper, provides immediate assistance in acute emergency cases or when misfortune strikes unexpectedly.
Sustainability and the protection of the environment are also important concerns for AvW, and it has already sponsored environmental expeditions on several occasions.
In the context of its equity participations also, AvW focuses on “environmental” investments. One example is the Styrian recycling company Binder, in which AvW is the second largest shareholder. The company is a world wide technology leader in the field of glass recycling and screening technology.
In the cultural sphere, AvW supports the Auer von Welsbach Museum in Althofen, which shows the many creative facets of Carl Auer von Welsbach, the great-grandfather of the Chairman of the Board of Management of AvW, Wolfgang Auer von Welsbach.
Not least to benefit from AvW’s corporate philosophy, which is also reflected in its corporate culture, are the company’s employees. In addition to enjoying a positive working environment, they also participate in educational events and training sessions that are offered to the financial partners of AvW.
As AvW sees it, CSR measures are an essential part of having a responsible corporate image that we can be proud of. Ultimately, our social commitment makes a significant contribution to establishing confidence among our investors.
