Global Compact International Yearbook 2016

acting as reading buddies and integration
guides for refugees, for example.
To help them prepare for their volunteer
role, we organize information events for
Deutsche Post DHL Group employees
to provide tips on effective interaction
and brief them on the substance of the
teaching materials. For example, in our
partnership with Stiftung Lesen, we provide
guidance along with a specially
designed start-up box of books to prepare
employees in their role as volunteer reading
buddies. In addition, all volunteers
receive polo shirts for enhanced visibility,
which are also a token of our appreciation
for their efforts. The response from
employees has been very positive, with
thousands signing up to take part in
hundreds of different activities in the
first weeks.
The strong support received from our top
management and employees internally
– as well as from our partners, local
authorities, and communities externally,
not to mention the refugees themselves
– attests to the power of this compassionate
action. The Deutsche Post DHL
Group Refugee Aid Project brings together
our company, our employees, and
our communities in a collaborative effort
that is consistent with our commitment
to the Global Compact Principles.
“
As a company with a strong presence both in Germany
and throughout the world, we want to contribute to
the integration of refugees jointly with our partners.
In doing this, we also continue to support a
long-established tradition of volunteering among our
employees in cooperation with non-profit organizations. ”
Frank Appel, CEO Deutsche Post DHL
Left: Employees with migration backgrounds
get involved as translators / interpreters,
integration guides and “bridge builders.”
Center: Various activities, incl. with FC
Deutsche Post: e.g. organization of a summer
festival, collection of sporting goods, and
charity tournaments.
Right: Several branch offices initiated
collection programs for toys, clothing, and
other everyday articles for local refugee
housing.
“
In the end, it will be our
schools that provide the
litmus test for how well
Germany rises to meet the
challenge of integrating
refugees and providing them
with prospects for the
future. It’s a challenge faced
by our society as a whole,
a challenge to be shouldered
by many. ”
Ulf Matysiak, Managing Director of
Teach First Deutschland
Global Compact International Yearbook 2016 81