Concerned with the development of communities living in the regions where it operates, Brasil Telecom contributes significantly to the improvement in these locations by means of initiatives targeted at promoting sports, culture, environmental preservation, social and digital inclusion, the defense of minority rights, and education projects. Brasil Telecom is responsible for maintaining 48 cultural projects and 20 social initiatives.
In 2007, the operator improved ongoing programs and launched the basis for an ambitious project, Oficina Digital (Digital Workshop).
PRIORITY FOR EDUCATION
Brasil Telecom has developed a widely-praised initiative which will contribute to improve the quality of Brazilian public schools. The Education Program, which will be officially launched in 2008, will install Model Digital Workshops in 50 schools.
The basic principle behind Brasil Telecom's Education and Digital Inclusion Program is to use technology as a means to leverage the development of education. It will contribute largely to improving life in these communities, promoting economic and social progress. It will operate in a supplementary manner, with a view to maximize government initiatives.
The program is structured based on existing experience, and takes advantage of the best practices known, and eliminating most recurrent problems, based on projects developed by the company in Goiás and the Federal District.
Also regarding education, the Company has supported the "Bolsa-Escola Cidadã" (Citizen Scholarship) project, developed in the states of Goiás, Acre and Mato Grosso by the NGO Missão Criança, which is dedicated to defending human rights. The program includes monthly financial assistance to mothers of children in needy communities. Besides the donation, the purpose is to contribute to ending child labor and reducing truancy. In 2007, 1,971 children from 616 families benefited from these initiatives.
Another important project is developed in the main cities of Santa Catarina: Digital Inclusion, promoted by the Institute Santa Catarinese Sustentável (ICADS) (Sustainable Santa Catarina Institute), which qualifies participants to use information and communication technologies. The initiative also maintains training groups for 1,260 youth and adults, developing networks and communication and citizenship tools that can be used by the population at large.
Brasil Telecom also supports Esporte Clube Cidadão (Citizen Sport Club), an initiative developed in Bairro Restinga, in Porto Alegre, with youth and children at social risk. Its goal is to teach practices that generate reflection over certain ethical aspects of one's personal and professional life.
The Company works jointly with Junior Achievement, a traditional organization of technical education in economics and business. The project serves 19 thousand students; 600 of whom have participation maintained with the support of Brasil Telecom. In 2007, the institution created the Ética na Escola (Ethics at School) program, focusing on discussion between young participants regarding ethics in society. The Ethics Projects, managed by voluntary workers trained by the Junior Achievement, targeted 45 thousand students.
CULTURAL PROJECTS
Cultural initiatives are also among the activities sponsored by the operator. Last year, Brasil Telecom supported 48 cultural projects, involving several forms of artistic expression, such as theater, dance, cinema, literature, and music. One of these was called "Tocando em Frente", and promotes music workshops for lowincome youth between 16 and 22 years, in of the Federal District.
Another initiative is the Projeto Batucadeiros, targeted at needy youth and adolescents between 5 and 21 years, residents in the city of Recanto das Emas (DF). The activities involve music and computer classes.
SPORTS PROJECTS
Brasil Telecom maintained a substantial presence in the Brazilian sports scene in 2007. In addition to sponsoring individual athletes, the Company restructured its main project, Equipe Brasil Telecom de Vôlei (Brasil Telecom Volleyball Team). This way, Brasil Telecom fulfills its role in emphasizing the Company's work in the sport through the recognition of new talent.
The team that previously played in the Federal District currently represents the city of Brusque (SC) in the Superliga Feminina, and counts on athletes such as Érika Coimbra, from the Brazilian National Team, and Radamés Lattari, technical consultant for the team and former coach of the Brazilian National Men's Team.Brasil Telecom also sponsors the men's volleyball team of Faculdades Integradas (UPIS), in Brasília, runner up in the 2007 National League.
Sports incentives earned Brasil Telecom's sports project two medals at the Pan American Games. In Rio 2007, the Brazilian 4 x 100 m relay team, composed of two athletes sponsored by the Company, Vicente Lenílson and Rafael Ribeiro, won the gold medal. Lucimara Silvestre, another Company-sponsored athlete, won the bronze medal in the heptathlon. These athletes are part of Brasil Telecom's Athletics Team, coached by Jayme Netto, in Presidente Prudente (SP).
Robert Scheidt and Luciano Burti are also athletes sponsored by Brasil Telecom. Scheidt, the sailor, won the silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Games, in addition to being an eight time champion of the Laser Class, and runner up of the Star Class. Burti, for his part, is a Stock Car pilot, having raced in Formula 1 at Ferrari, Jaguar, and Prost Grand Prix.
The Company's sponsorship is not restricted to athletes and teams; it also involves sports events. In 2007, the company sponsored the 2007 Brasil Telecom Ironman, for the fifth consecutive year; Brasil Telecom 70.3 Ironman; and Copa do Brasil de Volley, held in October in Brusque, with the participation of Brazil's main men's and women's volleyball teams.
GLOBAL COMPACT AND MILLENIUM GOALS
Brasil Telecom sees the United Nations as a major ally in sustainability initiatives. By means of entering the UN Global Compact, the Company voluntarily assumed the challenge of spreading the ten principles related to labor rights, environment protection, fighting corruption, and human rights. Human rights have been highlighted through several policies, aiming at the creation of an environment that is favorable to professional and personal development, eliminating all forms of discrimination. Sustainable practices and attitudes were also developed monthly by employees who make up the Business Voluntary Program. Guided by the Millennium Development Goals,a program established by the member countries of the United Nations, the involvement of our employees in social initiatives reinforces the internal social mutual responsibility culture of Brasil Telecom.
SUSTAINABILITY AS VALUE
Throughout 2007, Brasil Telecom developed initiatives aiming to incorporate sustainability and responsible management concepts into its business values and business strategy. In addition to its strong commitment to supporting community projects in the culture, sports, education, and environmental areas, we also have a long-lasting vision that will infiltrate the entire organization, influencing business decisions as well.
Sustainability at Brasil Telecom is a result of the adoption of values and practices that express Brasil Telecom's commitment to its shareholders and customers, to the environmental quality of the systems surrounding the Company, and to social equality in the communities inhabiting in the region where it operates.
As a result of the incorporation of these concepts into the Company's management values and principles, Brasil Telecom has called upon its executives to organize a Sustainability Committee, and to perform a diagnosis on Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility. The action plan under preparation will be implemented in the years to come, starting in 2008.
