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"Connecting people" as part of KPN's CSR programme

Sun 06 September 2009

, KPN, KPN

KPN connects people. We do this by supplying products and services that enables people to get in touch with each other. Our socially responsible activities do this as well. 

KPN wants to be one of the best communications service providers. We can only do that if we have a close relationship with our customers, our employees and social organizations. Working together towards a socially responsible purpose creates a sense of connectivity.

 

At the end of 2007 KPN set up “Het Mooiste Contact Fonds” (Finest Contact Foundation) for those members of society for whom staying in touch with people they know, is far from self evident. KPN is aware of the fact that contact with others fulfills a basic emotional need for all of us and that it should be easily accessible to everyone. The goal of this fund is to help groups of people who are relatively susceptible to social isolation.

Since January 2008 the Finest Contact Foundation has been working together with partner organizations that have experience in combatting social isolation. Not only does the fund donates money to projects, but KPN employees and ex-employees also make their time and expertise available. In 2008, more than 900 KPN volunteers joined forces with the Finest Contact Foundation.

ClassContact

Together with Ziezon, an organization that enables chronically sick children to remain in contact with their school and classmates, the Finest Contact Foundation has set up the project ‘ClassContact’. (Chronically) sick children can keep in touch with their contemporaries using a laptop with webcam at home and a television screen with a camera at school. In 2008, 80 children were given the opportunity to be part of their class (again). In 2009 the Finest Contact Foundation is once again making 80 ICT sets (Digibeters & Webchairs) available. The KPN volunteers ensure that the connection between the class and the child is realized easily.

 

ComputerPlusBus

The Ouderenfonds too can count on the Mooiste Contact Fonds. Through the ‘ComputerPlusBus’ the elderly can learn how to use new media to make contact with others. Employees and ex-employees of KPN travel around with the ComputerPlusBus to familiarize pensioners with media such as internet, SMS and MSN. Over a cup of coffee with cake and some good company, elderly people are taught to feel at ease with new media so as to conquer their fear of computers. In 2008 the bus called at various locations in the Netherlands and will be on the road again in 2009.

Resto VanHarte

Resto VanHarte is the new initiative that was added to the Mooiste Contact Fonds in 2009. By setting up easily accessible eating facilities, known as ‘Restos’, in underprivileged areas, Stichting Resto van Harte brings local residents into contact with each other. There are currently 19 Restos in various parts of the country.

In addition to giving financial support and deploying volunteers, KPN will help the Restos to expand. In 2009 the Mooiste Contact Fonds will enable five new restaurants to be opened and KPN will develop a professional central reservation system. Needless to say, KPN employees will be manning the phone lines!