THE HAGUE, The Netherlands, July 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — AEGON N.V.
and the international humanitarian organization Right To Play announce a new
global partnership to extend the organization’s mission to help children in
deprived areas of Sudan, Uganda, Ghana and China. AEGON N.V. has donated EUR
1 million as part of a three year partnership that will extend through the
2010 Winter Olympic games in Vancouver, Canada.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080704/311773 )
Right To Play, founded by four-time Olympic Gold medalist and current CEO
Johann Olav Koss, uses sport and play programs to improve health, develop
life skills, and foster peace for children and communities in some of the
most disadvantaged areas of the world. Currently, Right To Play has projects
in over twenty countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Its programs
target the most vulnerable, including young girls, the disabled, children
affected by HIV and AIDS, street children, former child combatants and
refugees.
“AEGON is honored to join with Right To Play in improving the lives of
children who are forced to endure some of the most desperate circumstances
around the world,” said AEGON CEO Alexander Wynaendts. “We are committed to
making a difference in the communities where we work and live, and also in
places where we may not necessarily be active in business but where we can
still help to create better futures through respected and effective
organizations such as Right To Play.”
Right To Play was built in the 1990s on the power and values of sport,
demonstrated by the engagement of Athlete Ambassadors from more than 40
countries who serve as positive role models and advocates for children. AEGON
has long sponsored high-achieving athletes to support athletic excellence and
reinforce the value it places on teamwork, communication, respect and trust.
The relationship between AEGON and Right To Play dates back to 2004, when
AEGON’s Dutch organization - AEGON The Netherlands - signed a three year
partnership. Among the activities developed by AEGON The Netherlands to raise
funds for and awareness about Right To Play is the annual AEGON Right To Play
Run for its business partners, employees and their families. Proceeds of the
event in 2007, totaling EUR 340,000, have been used to support Right To Play
activities in regions affected by war, poverty and disease.
Johann Olav Koss stated: “The relationship that AEGON and Right To Play
have built up over the last 4 years has proven itself as a golden
combination. With the expansion of the partnership, we are now entering a new
phase in which AEGON will support Right To Play in implementing sports and
play projects and building capacity and programs as a basis for future growth
of the organization. The long-term commitment of AEGON and the passionate
involvement of its employees is a great example of a worldwide respected
company taking its social responsibility by contributing to communities in
the most disadvantaged areas in the world.”
In addition to supporting Right To Play, AEGON also funds international
cancer research, and other education, social and civic organizations aimed at
addressing quality of life issues and creating opportunity for people and
communities in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
AEGON
AEGON is one of the world’s largest life insurance and pension groups,
and a strong provider of investment products. AEGON empowers local business
units to identify and provide products and services that meet the evolving
needs of customers, using distribution channels best suited to local markets.
AEGON takes pride in balancing a local approach with the power of an
expanding global operation.
With headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands, AEGON companies employ
approximately 30,000 people worldwide. AEGON’s businesses serve millions of
customers in over twenty markets throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
Respect, quality, transparency and trust constitute AEGON’s core values
as the company continually strives to meet the expectations of customers,
shareholders, employees and business partners. AEGON is driven to deliver new
thinking with the ambition to be the best in the industry.
RIGHT TO PLAY
Right To Play is a non profit athlete-driven international humanitarian
organization that uses specially-designed sport and play programs to improve
health, build life skills, and foster peace for children and communities
affected by war, poverty, disease. Right To Play has projects in more than
twenty countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Its key areas of focus
are basic education and child development, health promotion and disease
prevention, conflict prevention and peace education, and community
development.
Group Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
Media relations
Phone: +31-(0)70-344-8344
E-mail: gcc-ir@aegon.com
Investor relations
Phone: +31-(0)70-344-8305
or +1-877-548-9668 - toll free USA only
E-mail: ir@aegon.com
Website http://www.aegon.com
SOURCE AEGON N.V.