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Stephen Tindall,
NZBCSD Chairman and Founding Director of The Warehouse
Limited
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The NZBCSD is dedicated to making a difference in creating
a Sustainable New Zealand. The education of our young people
is a critical step towards fulfiling the NZBCSD's vision.
A better-educated population means citizens are more able
to contribute towards sustainable development in their various
stakeholder capacities, whether as employees or business owners,
consumers, or citizens.
The NZBCSD Leadership Forum
of 50 stakeholders from business, Government and society held
in February 2000 produced a vision for a Sustainable New Zealand.
This vision identifies an educated society as a critical success
factor. (Refer to diagram shown below).
At the Forum we heard the
story of the partnership between Fletcher Challenge and Tangaroa
College. Inspired by this example the NZBCSD decided to document
and report, both initially and on an ongoing basis, on initiatives
available to NZBCSD members and other businesses that would
enable them to contribute to Successful Business and School
Partnerships. By also reporting on NZBCSD business involvement
in this area we are able to facilitate 'learning by sharing'
amongst NZBCSD businesses. The result is the Successful Business
and School Partnerships brochure and this Successful Business
and School Partnerships website.
 I believe that businesses have
a tremendous opportunity and a social responsibility to work
with schools to enhance education in New Zealand. At The Warehouse
we have committed significant resources to such partnerships.
In addition to benefiting those we have worked with we have
also gained a great deal ourselves.
I commend this guide to all
business leaders and encourage you to use it in selecting
and forming partnerships with schools in order to make a difference
for a Sustainable New Zealand.
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Eric Barratt,
NZBCSD Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Sanford
Limited |
We were one of the early
companies to commit to the New Zealand Business Council of
Sustainable Development and have already published our first
triple bottom line sustainable development report.
The company operates ten
processing plants mostly at smaller centres around the North
and South Islands. In four locations (Kaeo, Coromandel, Havelock
and Bluff) we are the major employer. We therefore employ
many family members, friends and colleagues that have a vital
interest in the future of their community. The future of these
towns is closely linked to the success of the children and
their ability to learn in a successful and positive environment.
We became a sponsor of
the Successful Business and School Partnerships project when
we were lucky enough to hear about the successes of a number
of companies in different regions of New Zealand working with
schools and communities in various ways.
This guide is designed to make it easier for
businesses throughout New Zealand to find ways in which they
can work within their own communities on particular programmes
that may suit their location and ability to resource some
of the options outlined. By working with schools we believe
business can play a vital role in assisting the education
system to make the most meaningful contribution possible to
the future of society in New Zealand.
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Dr John Hinchcliff,
Vice-Chancellor,
Auckland University of Technology
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Perhaps no other business and education partnership will have
a greater impact on the young citizens of New Zealand than
the NZBCSD Successful Business and School Partnership. It
is by the hands of our young people that the vision of a Sustainable
New Zealand will become a reality.
This initiative will significantly contribute
to a constructive vision for New Zealand's future by giving
an educational boost to those in need of assistance, thus,
AUT wholeheartedly endorses the NZBCSD's Successful Business
and School Partnerships and commends the NZBCSD for their
vision and commitment. We look forward to being an active
participant in the successful development of the initiative.
For me personally, this initiative resonates
significantly with my vision for making education accessible
to those among us who may currently believe it is beyond their
reach. This programme will go a very long way to motivate
and encourage our potentially vulnerable young people to engage
in that exciting challenging and difficult educational journey
that will benefit their lives, their future and our New Zealand
community. I encourage your participation and commitment to
Successful Business and School Partnerships. New Zealand and
its young citizens deserve nothing less.
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