ICL believes that it has an ethical duty to improve the communities in which it operates. As a result, ICL provides substantial support for an array of important programs, ranging from broad-based initiatives targeting disadvantaged populations to enrichment programs for scientific and cultural institutions and to country-wide healthcare and educational frameworks.
The Company believes that communal responsibility entails personal involvement as well as financial assistance. To that end, ICL has appointed senior executives from its management and portfolio companies to strengthen the Company's involvement in communal activities.
ICL’s targeted activities in the communal arena are the result of an ongoing, careful review of communal needs and a determination to devote time and resources where they can best impact the community. The Company remains intimately involved in the programs it supports by supervising recipient programs and gauging their overall contribution to the community.
Several noteworthy programs that ICL supports:
Afternoon Clubs for Kids at Risk
ICL’s flagship social action initiative is its Afternoon Clubs for Kids at Risk, a vital program that operates over 50 clubs to serve over 900 children. Hundreds of ICL’s managers, employees and pensioners volunteer their time to help operate the clubs, making a clear difference to Israel's disadvantaged neighborhoods as they interact with the children, their teachers and families.
HSE Community Forums
As a company dedicated to transparency, ICL meets regularly with community leaders to discuss safety, health and ecological issues. It also carries out a range of community outreach and educational activities. For example, in 2009 ICL held an event at the Ludwigshafen, Germany industrial park in which it demonstrated innovative technologies, environmental protection activities and safety programs.
Assisting Bedouin Communities
The Company provides substantial assistance to Bedouin communities in the areas of primary and secondary education, youth programming and leadership development. It supports grass-root environmental initiatives, such as special waste collection facilities and environmental educational programs. ICL also helps members of the Bedouin community with developmental disabilities by supporting programs provided by Israel’s pioneering Beit Issie Shapiro.
Educational Initiatives
To encourage the study of chemistry and ecology by high school students, ICL supports a unique program hosted by Israel's Weizmann Institute. Through seminars taught jointly by professors and ICL personnel, students gain exposure to the world of chemistry and its critical contribution to daily life. The program has partnered with Israel’s Ministry of Education to create a science competition that draws contestants from all sectors of the Israeli population.
“Password for Every Student” Computer Access Program
ICL is a major supporter of an ambitious initiative aimed at increasing computer literacy, communication and knowledge among students in outlying areas. The “Password for Every Student” program makes it affordable for students and teachers to access knowledge bases and educational resources using terminals at homes, in schools and at community centers, and facilitates online communities to foster better communication.
Treatment of Children and Teens with Autism
ICL is privileged to partner with Alut, Israel's Association for Autistic Children, in realizing its mission of improving the well-being and rehabilitation of children and teens with Autism. ICL has provided significant financial support for the establishment and operation of a village for autistic children and teens in Beer Sheva, and has supported ALUT in its development of revolutionary treatments.
Support for Women Victims of Physical and Sexual Violence
ICL provides significant support for the Maslan and Inbal rape crisis centers. These centers offer a variety of support services and operate national emergency rape crisis hotlines. In addition, Maslan has initiated anti-violence programming and an educational network throughout the Negev region.
We are also proud to continue our sponsorship of substantial research to a variety of university projects.
The following is a partial list of ICL recipient programs:
- Weizmann Institute of Science
- Technion Israel Institute of Technology
- Soroka Hospital, Beer Sheva
- Inbal - for children at risk
- Maslan - Shelter for Battered Women and their Children
- Alut - Association for Autistic Children
- Akim - National Association for the Habilitation of the Mentally Handicapped in Israel
- Alyn Hospital for Handicapped Children
- Israel Cancer Association’s Hosan Center, Arad
- Association for the Transport of Disabled to Sports Competitions