57
Local community involvement
Though we are a global company, AAK contributes to
the development of the local communities in which we
operate by creating jobs, paying taxes and doing business
with local enterprises. However, it takes more than
that to truly become part of the communities in which
we operate. We are very aware of the impact we have
on a community when we enter, operate in or leave an
area, which is why local community engagement is so
important.
In 2019, we enacted the new AAK Community
Engagement Guidelines which emphasize the ways
in which we can strive to create a win-win situation for
ERWKWKHORFDOFRPPXQLW\DQGIRU$$.)RUHDPSOH
by engaging in activities that are closely linked to the
UN Sustainable Development Goals or participating in
SDUWQHUVKLSVWKDWFDQEHQH¿WIURPRXULQGXVWU\NQRZ
ledge and internal competencies.
Examples of AAK’s community engagement initiatives
include giving employees time off to participate in local
DFWLYLWLHVDQGSURYLGLQJ¿QDQFLDOVXSSRUWIRUORFDODLG
organizations. Overall, AAK’s community engagement
helps secure a social license to operate, which is
essential to become an important player in local life and
to succeed at a global level.
Our Neighbours achievements AAK: a catalyst for change in society
Sustainability brings people together and has become
more and more relevant as a valuable focus area for
employer branding. In 2019, AAK engaged in a variety
RIORFDODFWLYLWLHVWRUDLVHWKHVXVWDLQDELOLW\SUR¿OH
of the company but also contributed to sustainable
development in different ways. The public and potential
employees show great interest in our sustainability work
and we try our best to share information on what we do
and how we can contribute.
In society, people are the greatest catalysts for the
changes that support a more sustainable future.
At AAK, there are plenty of talented people focused on
leading positive change and inspiring others. By having
engaged employees as drivers for change, we see a
great potential to contribute as a global company.
In the picture to the left are AAK colleagues working
at a local harbor event in Aarhus, Denmark. At this
event, they presented AAK as an employer, raised
awareness about our shea production, our progress
on the Kolo Nafaso program, and how we support the
Sustainable Development Goals.
57