Dubai-based global marine terminal operator DP World was recognised with two awards at the International CSR Excellence Awards, held recently in London, UK.

DP World received the ‘Gold for Employee Engagement’ in recognition of its Global Education initiative and was named the ‘Sustainability Champion’ for its ‘Our World, Our Future’ global sustainability programme, said a statement from the company.

 ‘Our World, Our Future’ was launched in February 2016 to unite DP World’s wide-ranging sustainability efforts and ensure maximum impact. Over the past year, it has reached all of DP World’s 36,500 employees across six continents, establishing it as a leading responsible business, it said.

The innovative global education programme is being implemented across the world following a pilot study in early 2016. It involves employees delivering lessons in local schools to increase the knowledge of the industry in young people. The modules encourage children to consider a career in the maritime and trade industry, helping develop a pipeline of future talent for a crucial sector, it added.

The initiative has been a great hit with schools, with 96 per cent of teachers saying it provided pupils with something new their school could not, and 94 per cent saying they would recommend DP World as an employer.

It also has significant benefits for employees, with 96 per cent of volunteers that have taken part saying they are more likely to speak positively about DP World, and 93 per cent increasing their job satisfaction. The programme aims to reach 34,000 young people by 2020. To date, more than 200 employees have been involved, engaging over 5,500 students across 14 countries.

DP World is a leading enabler of global trade, based in Dubai, and has recently revealed its corporate sustainability plan for Suez and Sokhna in Egypt with 11 projects in the health, education, water and social welfare sectors to serve local communities, benefitting around 7500 people in both cities.

The educational initiatives include the upgrade of school facilities, organising literacy classes at the Faisal Youth Center and distributing 1000 stationery bags to school students, in addition to summer training for university students.

Other projects include the establishment of water infrastructure in the Ganaien area, in addition to tree planting in Suez, distributing food packages, establishing a drivers' rest area in Sokhna. Most importantly, providing thousands of direct and indirect jobs for the communities around the port.

Ajay Singh, CEO, DP World-Sokhna, said: "Corporate sustainability is at the heart of our business in countries and regions where we operate and we firmly believe that public-private partnerships are key in helping achieve tangible development for local people and their communities.”

DP World launched The Go Green initiative in collaboration with world’s largest port operators, which enabled DP World-Sokhna to launch several environmentally-friendly initiatives to support its operations, including the use of solar energy and LED solutions for lighting inside buildings, while applying advanced technologies and movement detectors to save energy.

Kathryn Wightman – Beaven, head of Sustainability at DP World, added: “We are delighted to see this programme in Egypt, which forms part of our global sustainability programme ‘Our World, Our Future’ based on four pillars: protecting the environment, investing in our people, ensuring the highest safety standards, and building a vibrant, secure and resilient society.”

DP World employees will also participate in advancing these projects through monetary donations and volunteering their time.