Merck celebrates its anniversary by conducting 350 charitable activities in around 60 countries on February 8, 2018. Taking responsibility has always been an integral part of the entrepreneurial approach of Merck and is one of its six values. On the occasion of its 350th anniversary, the company will further intensify its social engagement activities together with its employees.
“We have a long tradition of responsibility, it’s more than just lip service. That’s why we want to share the great joy of our anniversary not only with our employees, but also with our local communities,” said Walter Galinat, member of the Executive Board of Merck and responsible for the 350th anniversary celebrations. “We take on responsibility for society all over the world. Many of our employees and subsidiaries are involved in this effort, for instance through donations, collaborations with reliable partners and voluntary initiatives,” he added.
The activities planned to take place throughout 2018 will focus on health as well as on education and culture. Here, Merck will leverage its 350 years of experience and curiosity, as well as its knowledge and expertise in the areas of health, science and technology. In addition to these efforts, the company also supports a wide array of charitable and environmental initiatives in the communities near its sites and provides disaster relief. The aim is to address challenges facing society, from fighting serious diseases and protecting natural resources to promoting aspiring young scientists.
The projects in the focus area of health are centered around developing local healthcare infrastructure, providing vocational and advanced training to medical staff and raising awareness of health issues. Founded in 2017, for instance, the Merck Foundation supports initiatives to improve the treatment of cancer patients in Africa. And in Guatemala, Merck is working with an organization that provides free healthcare to underprivileged communities and helps people with disabilities.
Within the focus area of education, particular emphasis is placed on sparking young people’s interest in science. A prime example is the SPARK volunteer program, under which employees conduct scientific experiments with school children in an effort to arouse their curiosity. A large number of activities are also taking place in Darmstadt, where the company is headquartered. These include an exciting experiment afternoon for school students to mark the tenth anniversary of the Junior Laboratory at the Technical University of Darmstadt. In Indonesia, Merck is supporting the charitable organization Nara Kreatif, with which it is collaborating on environmental and educational projects. These include a school for 300 children in need, at which Merck employees are also volunteering.
Within the focus area of culture, Merck is often engaged in projects that transcend cultural borders, such as a literature initiative in Korea that encourages exchange between Germany and several Asian countries.
