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THE FOCUS ON CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY SEEKS TO FOSTER THE SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE IN ITS BROADEST SENSE, AND IS A NATURAL RESPONSE TO INCREASING INTEREST EXPRESSED BY CUSTOMERS, LEGISLATORS, BUSINESS PARTNERS AND EMPLOYEES. |
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AEGON's mission of helping customers, business partners, shareholders and employees to ‘create better futures’ through protection against loss and increasing wealth through prudent investment requires a long-term vision, a sound strategy, staying power and a responsible ethic, underpinned by a sustainable business. AEGON has embarked on a company-wide effort to codify the disciplines and opportunities of corporate responsibility.
Recognizing that good business performance and long-term profitability go hand in hand with good business practices, and that corporate ethics are complex but increasingly important to today's multinational organization, Corporate Responsibility in AEGON is being led by the Executive Board, supported by a newly appointed Group Staff specialist and by an International Working Group, formed from among the main country units. Initial tasks are to identify and define policy requirements, manage the information gathering and reporting process, formulate a group environmental policy and identify alignment with international standards during 2003. One objective is the eventual disclosure of externally verified data and information.
"AEGON has made a promising start by putting in place the governance process, defining priorities, identifying areas for improvement and setting parameters for reporting"
The focus on corporate responsibility is to support our business, and is a natural response to increasing interest expressed by stakeholders, customers, employees, shareholders and business partners. Our Corporate Responsibility policy will evolve over time, but AEGON has made a promising start by putting in place the governance process, defining priorities, identifying areas for improvement and setting parameters for reporting. Dialogue with stakeholders and the monitoring of local activities will become an important feature. Understanding and definitions of Corporate Responsibility are evolving rapidly and where cultural and geographic differences emphasize the need for local solutions, AEGON will set realistic goals and key performance indicators.
An important achievement of 2002 was the development of a formal Code of Conduct and Values, the result of a company-wide effort to articulate standards that guide our business practices. It represents concepts gathered directly from our employees worldwide forming the foundation on which our actions and policies are based. This is a significant step on the AEGON Corporate Responsibility journey and implementation is being phased in through 2003. Full Corporate Responsibility implementation and integration are important for AEGON's continued inclusion in the major sustainability indices and also for assessment by external rating agencies.
Once more, in 2002 the value of communication and transparancy was confirmed. We recognized this and understand the need for straight talk and clear actions.
Finally, AEGON continues to work to fulfill its responsibilities to the general communities of which it is a part. AEGON's corporate citizenship program aims to build recognition and goodwill by supporting projects in the arts, athletics, education, medical research and international understanding. The Group's country and local operating units work on a grassroots level to support the quality of life of their employees and the communities in which they operate and live. For more information please visit the Corporate Responsibility section on our website www.aegon.com.
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