Social sustainability: diverse and equitable
Making things happen with software. For reliable, more equitable supply chains. And a more equitable society overall. This is what drives us when it comes to social sustainability. We focus our activities on quality education, equal opportunity, and reduced inequalities.
Promoting education. Improving opportunities. Developing personalities.
Education empowers individuals to shape their own lives. The AEB-Stiftung is dedicated to providing disadvantaged children and adolescents access to high-quality education, no matter their origin, gender, or social background.
We promote projects that start early, provide individual support, and facilitate the transition to vocational training and employment. Our goal: An education that empowers, enables, and opens new horizons.
AEB funds the foundation's activities from its annual profits. Furthermore, all AEB employees can get involved and contribute to AEB-Stiftung projects during their working hours.
Sample projects of the AEB-Stiftung
KinderHelden
KinderHelden creates “tandems,” pairing children who had a difficult start in life with local mentors who can intervene early on to offer personalized, preventive support.
Educare
Educare is committed to helping children in Brazil living in extreme poverty, giving them perspectives for the future.
ADEPT
ADEPT is dedicated to empowering young people in Uganda to earn their own living in a skilled profession.
Equal opportunity and reduced inequalities
We are committed to reducing inequalities - at our company, in Germany, and around the world. Within our direct sphere of influence, this means above all ensuring equal opportunity. This is a key pillar of our shared values and interactions. That's why AEB is also fully committed to the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Non-discrimination, freedom of expression, freedom of association, worker participation in management decisions, fair and satisfactory working conditions including equal pay for equal work and occupational health and safety: All these issues are near and dear to us in our own business operations. We've been busy on this front as well. Some examples:
- Raised or harmonized standards and benefits (number of paid vacation days, etc.) at all AEB sites worldwide to the most advantageous conditions, as permitted under local laws
- Established equitable working conditions at all AEB sites worldwide
- Adopted policies to support employees who are caring for family members
- Equipped workstations age-appropriately, made company's HQ wheelchair accessible
- Established a working group on inclusion
Gender equality at AEB
The UN goal is to end all forms of discrimination against women and girls everywhere in the world. Women should be able to participate equally in political, economic, and public life. AEB has taken many internal actions toward gender equality. A few examples:
- Launched “More Women in Leadership” initiative, including tandem and mentoring programs plus various workshops
- Initiated a program to send female tech workers to participate in external events, provide info on careers in tech, and recruit more women for the industry
- Published an internal “Guide to Inclusive and Gender-Neutral Language” to promote a more equitable dialog among all employees
Learn more about social sustainability at AEB
AEB voluntarily prepared a CSRD-compliant sample report for the 2024 reporting year. It provides a detailed overview of our strategy, measures, and activities. The report forms the basis for systematically setting up our sustainability management.
A look at some of our programs and initiatives
Vocational training in Uganda
Only 5% of those who graduate from public school in Uganda go on to a university, and only 15% attend a vocational school. So it’s not surprising that experts estimate youth unemployment to be around 80%. In cooperation with Adept, the AEB-Stiftung provides financial support and shares technological expertise with St. Bruno Secondary School in Masaka’s heavily impoverished northern district of Ssaza in the areas of IT training, infrastructure, and sponsorships.
Electromobility training for young women in Lebanon
Children from challenging family circumstances are offered education, lodging, and meals at the Johann Ludwig Schneller School in Lebanon, irrespective of their origin and religious background. In cooperation with the AEB-Stiftung, a module for e-mobility was developed for the automotive technology vocational training course, which modernizes the training and is targeted specifically at girls. The school waives school fees for newly enrolled young women – a strong sign for promoting equality.
Educational equity with KinderHelden
The nonprofit “KinderHelden” offers mentoring to children that have had a difficult start in life, and we support them through volunteering and financial assistance.
AEB Inclusive Language Guideline
The “Guide to Inclusive and Gender-Neutral Language” contains recommendations for external communication. It is available in German and English and was adapted to the respective requirements and special characteristics of the languages.
Gambia: Support for preschool children
The Afrikaya preschool in Yundum provides children from underprivileged backgrounds with access to education, including essential English lessons, as all school instruction is conducted exclusively in English. Furthermore, a music room, renovated sanitary facilities, and a trip with the children to a nature reserve demonstrate how education can also convey a sense of security and the joy of discovery.Refuge and education in São Paulo's slums
“Cracolandia” is one of the world’s largest open-air drug markets. The residents this notorious slum of São Paulo, Brazil endure conditions that are unimaginable for us. The AEB-Stiftung supports our partner educare that is active there. The non-profit organization provides young people with protection and prospects. It offers regular free meals, games, and learning opportunities as well as personal support. A two-stage trainee program provides initial work experience and coaching – rewarded with a state-recognized certificate and minimum wage.
