Scotiabank Launches \u201cBright Future\u201d Community Program – The title of the feed item<\/p>\n
Craig Kielburger helps launch global philanthropic program<\/em><\/p>\n January 21, 2011 @ 12:00PM<\/p>\n Toronto<\/strong> –\u00a0Scotiabank today launched an international philanthropic program uniting the Bank\u2019s charitable, social and community efforts and employee volunteer activities under one new banner – Scotiabank Bright Future. Scotiabank President and CEO Rick Waugh was joined by special guests including Free The Children Founder, Craig Kielburger as he announced the program at an event held in Toronto earlier today.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom its earliest days almost 180 years ago in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Scotiabank has held a steadfast belief in supporting the unique needs of each community it serves,\u201d said Rick Waugh, President and Chief Executive Officer, Scotiabank. \u00a0\u201cWhile our operations have grown worldwide, we have maintained our focus on community service. The Bright Future program will enable Scotiabank and its 70,000 employees worldwide to build upon this tradition of creating a bright future \u2013 one community at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n Elements of the Bright Future program:<\/strong><\/p>\n Employee engagement and recognition: <\/strong>In 2010, Scotiabank employees spent more than 324,000 hours volunteering and fundraising, and by applying through the Bank\u2019s formal community programs they generated C$7.5 million in additional funding for the organizations that they support. As part of today\u2019s launch, the Bank also introduced the Bright Future Community Leadership Awards which will be given to Scotiabank employees for outstanding commitment to their community and leadership in helping those in need.\u00a0 Scotiabank will make a financial donation to the designated charity of the winners.<\/p>\n Scotiabank Bright Future Young Leaders Award: <\/strong>As part of the launch Scotiabank today also announced the establishment of \u201cThe Scotiabank Bright Future Young Leaders Award\u201d, which will recognize youth from Canada and international locations for outstanding contribution to their communities annually. Applications for the first youth awards will be accepted later this year, with the first recipients announced in the spring of 2012.\u00a0 Further details on the youth awards programs will be available in the coming months at www.scotiabankbrightfuture.com<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Community and Charitable Giving:<\/strong> Over the last five years Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $44 million annually to community causes around the world. We\u2019ve made it easier and more transparent for charities to make an application through a dedicated website. To mark the launch, Scotiabank announced a C$1 million gift to Toronto-based Hospital tor Sick Children\u2019s International Patient Program that provides life changing care to children from outside of Canada.<\/p>\n Centralized information: <\/strong>The Bright Future program, including information for charities seeking support, can be found on the Bright Future website in English, Spanish and French at www.scotiabankbrightfuture.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong> The Bank will also be launching a new internal Bright Future platform in three languages, which includes all information on the program as well as localized lists of volunteer opportunities for employees.<\/p>\n \u201cGiving back in meaningful ways is an intrinsic part of Scotiabank\u2019s history, culture and identity,\u201d said Sylvia Chrominska, Group Head, Global Human Resources and Communications, Scotiabank. \u201cBright Future builds on our past practices, creates a new shared philanthropic program that respects local priorities and introduces new initiatives that will bring even greater value to those around us.\u201d<\/p>\n Bright Future\u2019s origins began in 2007 in Scotiabank\u2019s Caribbean and Latin American markets. With today\u2019s announcement all Scotiabank donations and charitable activities \u2013 wherever they take place in the world \u2013 will be part of the Bright Future program.<\/p>\n \u201cBright Future has been a success in Mexico and we are proud that through this program we have been able to be part of building stronger, more vibrant communities by supporting the work of our charitable partners,\u201d said Nicole Reich de Polignac, Executive Vice-President and President & CEO, Grupo Financiero Scotiabank, who participated in today\u2019s launch from her office in Mexico City. \u201cOn behalf of my team in Mexico and my colleagues in other countries from Canada to Chile, Puerto Rico to Peru, we look forward to building on this success.\u201d<\/p>\n Engaging a New Generation<\/strong><\/p>\n Scotiabank was pleased to welcome Free The Children Founder, Craig Kielburger, who participated in today\u2019s launch. In addition to inspiring and motivating the audience to be community active, he applauded Bright Future\u2019s recognition of the importance of youth for future philanthropic success.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough the Scotiabank Bright Future Young Leaders Award we have an opportunity to recognize the contribution of young people who are active in their communities and, at the same time, reach out to those who have yet to become active volunteers,\u201d said Mr. Waugh. \u201cEngagement of youth around the world is vital to the continued operation of charitable and not-for-profit enterprises.\u201d<\/p>\n Public Attitudes towards Corporate Philanthropy<\/strong><\/p>\n A recent Canadian poll conducted by Harris\/Decima demonstrates that people feel strongly about corporate philanthropy. Nearly three-quarters of Canadians (72 per cent) are more inclined to volunteer, fundraise, or donate to local charities provided their employer supports these initiatives.<\/p>\n “Canadians have long recognized and appreciated the efforts of the companies that support and sustain the very communities in which they operate,\u201d said Marcel Lauziere, President and CEO, Imagine Canada. \u201dThe Scotiabank global Bright Future program demonstrates the pride and commitment of Scotiabank and its employees to the communities it serves, but more importantly to the causes that strengthen and enrich quality of life around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n The Scotiabank Bright Future program comes at the beginning of the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteerism. Information on the program can be found on the Bright Future website at www.scotiabankbrightfuture.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Scotiabank Bright Future Poll was conducted by Harris\/Decima via teleVox, the company\u2019s national telephone omnibus.\u00a0 A total of 1,030 Canadians were surveyed from December 16th to December 19th, 2010.\u00a0 Results are accurate to within +\/- 3.1% 19 times out of 20.<\/p>\n