Dr. Hans-Jürgen Schinzler Foundation – Promoting corporate volunteering
The » corporate volunteering activities furthered and financed by the Schinzler Foundation and voluntary work by our employees are another pillar of our social commitment.
The Dr. Hans-Jürgen Schinzler Foundation was set up to facilitate voluntary work carried out worldwide by Munich Re (reinsurance) staff in a wide range of fields, including culture, healthcare, the environment, charity work and the academic world. Most of the projects sponsored by the foundation are designed to help children and young people.
“66+ generation”
Since retiring from Munich Re, former Board secretary Irmi Janik has supported the organisations “SeniorenNet-Süd” and “Zusammen aktiv bleiben”. The latter, which was founded some 30 years ago, offers a wide variety of courses catering for all ages. However, as there were no computer courses introducing older generations to new media, Irmi Janik has organised courses on the association’s behalf since mid-2009. The funding to purchase the necessary equipment was provided by the Schinzler Foundation. Spurred on by the positive feedback received from all sides for this initiative, Ms. Janik has been happy to maintain her commitment each year.
Support for the environment in Malta
Most parts of Malta, the world’s fourth most densely populated country, are built up, vegetation tending to be sparse and trees few and far between. Environmental awareness is low in Malta by German standards and so staff from Munich Re of Malta (MRoM) together with their families and friends decided to do something for the environment by planting 200 young trees in a recreational area as part of the “34U – Tree for you” campaign held on 12 March 2011.
The staff had already planted 190 trees, 150 of which were financed by the Schinzler Foundation, in the same recreational area in 2010. “Following the positive response received, we were keen to do something similar this year. As a result there is now a Munich Re of Malta copse”, said Rolf Winklmayer, Operations Manager at MRoM.
The foundation supports many other projects involving the realms of culture, healthcare, charity work and the academic world. One of its more recent ventures is the Social Day, first held in 2010, when staff are given a day’s leave to do voluntary work.
