Two Employees Visit Kosovo for a once in a lifetime opportunity
BURLINGTON, ON, May 22, 2014 /CNW/ - IKEA Canada has welcomed home two employees from a life-changing trip to Kosovo, as part of the company's IWitness Global Citizen program. The program allows IKEA employees from all over the world to experience the impact of Save the Children, UNICEF, UNHCR and Soft Toys for Education projects, funded by the IKEA Foundation. Experiences like IKEA's IWitness program allow participants to see the difficult realities that exist in many parts of the world and how it is possible to make positive and lasting changes.
"We know our employees share our passion for having a positive impact through our business," says Kerri Molinaro, President of IKEA Canada. "We are proud to be able to offer this unique experience to witness the impact IKEA Foundation projects have around the world. Through this program we empower passionate brand ambassadors to return home and share their experience within the organization."
This year, the two IKEA Canada employees who travelled to Kosovo were accompanied by Ylber Kusari from Save the Children Canada, a former resident of Kosovo who has personally benefited from emergency aid, like that from Save the Children.
"As someone who was born and raised in Kosovo and lived through oppression and war, I know first-hand that children are most affected by conflict and the rebuilding process - which is why this Global IWitness trip is tremendously important to me," said Ylber Kusari, Save the Children. "While Kosovo's education system is still struggling to reflect a young, multi-ethnic and inclusive democracy 15 years after the conflict, the IKEA Foundation's support of Save the Children projects is making a real difference, helping children learn in a safe, inclusive and engaging way."
IWitness trips are part of IKEA's People and Planet Positive sustainability strategy. Launched in 2012, it outlines ambitious environmental and social goals for IKEA to reach by 2020. The three focus areas of People & Planet Positive are to inspire and enable millions of people to live a more sustainable life at home; to pursue resource and energy independence; and to create a better life for people and communities.
About IKEA
IKEA is a leading home furnishings retailer with 342 stores in 42 countries worldwide, which are visited by 776 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 12 stores which are visited by over 25 million people every year. Last year the IKEA.com websites attracted 1.1 billion visitors. Founded in 1943, IKEA's business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low, the majority of people can afford them. For more information on IKEA, please visit: www.IKEA.ca.
SOURCE: IKEA Canada
Madeleine Löwenborg-Frick
Corporate Communications Manager
IKEA Canada
[email protected]
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