CHENNAI: Dell today reported on its continuing work in supporting communities and operating with the environment in mind, with details on new initiatives and progress on ongoing programs detailed in its Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12) Corporate Responsibility Report. Dell’s 2012 corporate responsibility report is the first articulation of its new Powering the Possible platform, a commitment to put technology and expertise to work where it can do the most good for people and the planet.
Dell aligned the report with the Global Reporting Initiative’s G3 guidelines, self-declaring it for application level A. According to the statement, “Over the years, Dell has committed a funding of $6.5 million to India.” In addition to this, Dell recently announced another grant of $2.4 million toward CSR efforts in the country, which makes the total commitment to India to nearly $9 million till date.
Dell Learning in India, which is funded by the Dell Powering the Possible program, works closely with more than 13 NGOs to help equip them with digital learning resources through Dell learning centers. The program covers cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Chennai, Mohali and Pune and benefits close to 390 schools in India.
By January 2012, close to 13,000 Dell employees in India contributed more than 52,500 hours of volunteer time. Dell’s goal was to double the participation or get at least 50 percent of the workforce to volunteer over the previous year, and the goal was accomplished, with 57 percent team members engaged in community service.
At the Dell Social Innovation Challenge, which empowers the spirit of entrepreneurship in the youth around the world, Indian students accounted for largest number of entries outside of the United States in 2011. The third prize winner of the 2011 Challenge was the team, SIFE CBS, from an Indian University, Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, for its project, Sanitation Solutions. In 2012, two India-focused projects emerged as the first- and second-grand prize winners, while India emerged as one of top nations with highest number of entries for the challenge.
Earlier this year, Dell awarded a health grant to the Cancer Institute (WIA) in Chennai, to support the research on MRD (Minimal Residual Disease) for the treatment of Pediatric Leukemia patients in India. The grant is expected to directly benefit at least 500 children with Acute Leukemia and increase MRD research to significantly improve the treatment of Leukemia patients in India.
Contributing towards the cause of disaster relief, Dell announced a funding of Rs.23 lakhs towards rebuilding homes and providing rehabilitation to those affected by Thane Cyclone in South India. Dell partnered with Habitat for Humanity, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing to aid in the process. In addition, Dell employees volunteered their time toward the disaster relief work in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu which benefited nearly 5000 families in the affected region.
Dell is currently on track to recycle more than 1 billion cumulative pounds of e-waste worldwide by 2014. Adding to its sustainability initiatives in India, Dell recently launched a free laptop battery recycling program across India to increase the awareness of e-waste disposal among consumers.
