Deutsche Post World Net launches effort to improve equal access to education

Deutsche Post World Net is committing itself to creating equal educational opportunities and providing increased support to all children and young people in Germany.

As the founding partner and largest sponsor of "Teach First Deutschland," the world's largest logistics group is supporting this education initiative.

The organization's aim is to create increased educational opportunities in Germany and, in particular, to provide more intense support of students who attend the country's secondary general schools, intermediate schools and comprehensive schools. Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post World Net, and Kaija Landsberg, the Managing Director of Teach First Deutschland, announced the company's plans today at a news conference in Düsseldorf that was attended by the premier of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Dr. Jürgen Rüttgers.

"I am convinced that Germany's education system must be improved only through cooperation and action undertaken by political leaders, businesses, schools and organizations like Teach First Deutschland," Appel said.

Deutsche Post World Net is supporting the effort to improve education in two ways: financial support and the active participation of the company's employees. "Education is the most valuable resource we have in Germany. For this reason, it is critically important for all children and young people to have equal opportunities to gain access to education and receive the support they need to develop their talents," Appel said.

"At the same time, we as the world's leading provider of logistics services and one of Germany's largest employers need well-educated, dedicated employees who have earned all types of diplomas and possess strong interpersonal skills. The company that has the better employees is the one that wins the competition."

The activities will be bundled in a Group-wide education program

For years now, Deutsche Post World Net has played an active role in numerous education projects and initiatives. As a result, support of education is to become the third important pillar in the company's corporate responsibility strategy, complementing the focal points of the environment and disaster relief.

The education activities will be bundled in a Group-wide education program and systematically expanded. The partnership with Teach First Deutschland represents the first important milestone in this effort.

One component of the founding partnership with Teach First Deutschland includes the support of university graduates ("fellows") working at selected schools. Another element covers the financing and organization of an approximately two-week summer camp that is to be conducted annually by Teach First Deutschland and the Deutsche Kinder- und Jugendstiftung (the German Child and Young Persons Foundation). During this learning and leisure-time camp, the individual abilities of young people, including the children of Deutsche Post and DHL employees, are to be developed.

In addition, Deutsche Post employees will have an opportunity to make an active contribution and get personally involved by serving as "volunteers." As the only partner of Teach First Deutschland, the Group will offer participating schools the chance to invite managers of Deutsche Post to visit their classrooms. As a result, schools will be given the opportunity to base their course offerings even more closely on the work world and, thus, improve the occupational and professional opportunities of their students.