The Western Union Foundation Worldwide charitable giving
Western Union Foundation Board Chair, David Schlapbach, provides insight on Western Union's Our World, Our Family® signature program in the following interview.
What is your role within the Western Union Foundation?
As Chair of the Board of the Western Union Foundation I, along with the rest of the Board of Directors, help guide the Foundation's strategy to align with the Our World, Our Family mission, overall Western Union® philosophy about corporate social responsibility. This guidance helps facilitate long-term success in helping those who need it most around the world.
What do you like most about your involvement with the Western Union Foundation?
Having served in the role of Chair for the past 2 ½ years, I am privileged to be able to volunteer my time to help support the Foundation in its efforts to transform the lives and futures of individuals, families and entire communities. Working with the Foundation has given me a deep appreciation and understanding of what Western Union means to our consumers and their local communities around the world. It's about our presence and our services, but also about our ability to be there when people need us - by the giving we provide through the Foundation.
Can you describe the impact that Western Union's Our World, Our Family® program has had on our corporate reputation?
The Our World, Our Family program has helped provide a strong framework and platform to our corporate citizenship efforts by giving us a focused central message regarding migration, economic development and the needs of our fellow global citizens. The program has helped elevate and draw attention to focused issues facing many people around the world, but especially those most likely to be drawn to the international service and culture of Western Union.
Since the program's inception, we have received numerous awards and accolades, including those from the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy and the Clinton Global Initiative, for our work on addressing the needs of migrants. We are also looked to as a leader on the complex issue of migration by many international organizations.
Since the program's inception, we have received numerous awards and accolades, including those from the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy and the Clinton Global Initiative, for our work on addressing the needs of migrants. We are also looked to as a leader on the complex issue of migration by many international organizations.
How can employees help the Foundation?
Western Union employees can help the Foundation by volunteering their time to help organizations in their local communities and by giving generously to the Foundation to help transform the lives of the people most in need around the world. Additionally, employees can spread the message by talking about the numerous ways we support Western Union consumers and their communities by providing many of the tools necessary to help smooth the road on their journey toward a better tomorrow.
What do you personally say yes! to?
I personally say yes! to the enthusiasm and commitment of our employees, Agents and the entire organization toward helping better the lives of our consumers, their families and their communities. Migration and remittances have an enormous impact on the international economy. By providing a voice and platform for these issues, we are saying yes! to our world and to our global community.