Airbus Corporate Foundation

Citation

(2009), "Airbus Corporate Foundation", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 81 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2009.12781baf.008

Airbus Corporate Foundation

Article Type: Mini features From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 81, Issue 2

Airbus has established the “Airbus Corporate Foundation” aimed at facilitating charitable activities world-wide under one roof within an international network of employees, associations and international organisations. The Airbus Corporate Foundation started its operations on 1 December, with Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders being appointed president of its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors appointed Andrea Debbané as general delegate of the foundation.

Airbus states that social responsibility coupled with a greater responsibility to take care of the environment has been at the heart of its business activities for a long time. Starting-off with a budget of €2,5 million, the Airbus Corporate Foundation will focus its support on the three themes of humanitarian and community support, youth development and the environment.

In the field of environment, the foundation is tasked to focus on protecting, improving and increasing awareness of the environment, and supporting projects with a particular focus on biodiversity. The foundation will also help young people to develop the skills they will need later in life – in particular fostering cross-cultural and global citizenship. The third theme of the foundation is to provide aid and relief in cases of natural disaster and reaching out to develop local communities where Airbus is present.

“Airbus is becoming an international company on a global scale. As our business has expanded over the years, so has our charitable support grown to create and undertake projects relevant to local communities around the globe. By committing our time and expertise and by focusing our humble resources, Airbus and its employees can support to develop and maintain vibrant, sustainable communities helping to make the world a better place,” Tom Enders said on the occasion of the first meeting of the Board of Directors.

The foundation will be a driver for engaging employees in projects in their own communities. Through its employees’ participation globally, Airbus will promote and share the values that have contributed to Airbus’ success to date and which will ensure a bright future: innovation and a pioneering spirit, developing talent around the world and creating value with less environmental impact.

“We are certainly inspired by the social engagement of many Airbus employees who are involved in actions of general interest and have supported our numerous humanitarian aid actions undertaken in the past,” Tom Enders said. “We count on their active involvement in the future and the unique support which can be provided by our network of international customers and suppliers.”

The Board of Directors has secured the support of four international external members bringing in their specific experience and know-how in the different fields on which the foundation will focus its activities:

• •

  Kriss Akabusi: famous for his achievements in athletics (three Olympic medals). He is living and working in London and of Nigerian parents, is the Founding Director and Chairman of The Akabusi Charitable Trust, a non-governmental organization in Nigeria, which donates money and expertise to partners on the ground in the areas of health, education, social enterprise, water and sanitation.

• •

  Marcel Rufo: after having started as a Doctor in Neurology and affected by the death in children, he turned to psychiatry. Working at the Sainte-Marguerite Hospital of Marseilles as senior registrar he became manager of the house of the teenagers of the Cochin Hospital in Paris. He is also a well-known author of books on child and teenager psychology and animates a radio programme in France on the problems of childhood and adolescence.

• •

  Manuel Toharia Cortes: as an expert on popularisation of science, he is active in many areas linked to science, environment and youth development. Currently, he is the Director of the Science Museum Prince Felipe and Director of the City of Arts and Sciences, both in Valencia, Spain and is also a Scientific Journalist for the radio station “Cadena Ser.” Previously, he was director of the Science Museum of La Caixa in Madrid and an active science journalist for national television, radio and newspapers. He has published around 30 books.

• •

  Henning Voscherau: is the Supporter of the Stadthaushotel HafenCity Organization, which tries to reintegrate disabled people into society and of the youth-centre in Steilshoop (socially disadvantaged area) in Hamburg. First Mayor (Erster Bürgermeister) of the Free Hanseatic City of Hamburg, President of the “Bundesrat” (Upper House of Parliament), President of the Joint Constitutional Commission of the German “Bundestag” (Lower House of Parliament) and “Bundesrat,” President of the Conciliation Committee of the German Bundestag and Bundesrat, he is also involved in several projects preventing drug-addiction.

Aviation is a key vector for global economic and social development and an essential resource for humanitarian efforts world-wide. Airbus will harness its capabilities and partner with its customers to, e.g. use Airbus aircraft to provide humanitarian and community support to combat poverty, transport humanitarian aid material, provide aid to victims of natural catastrophes.

For further information on the Airbus Corporate Foundation is available at: www.airbus.com