EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY – THE BUSINESS SCHOOL IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
European University Geneva is committed to the ideals of promoting social responsibility worldwide. EU Business School Geneva recognizes that local economic growth in developing nations is essential to the welfare of the international community. Economic and social empowerment not only helps the people of the targeted communities, but strengthens the bonds of liberty, prosperity and human security between nations in our increasingly global society.
To that end, European University Geneva is currently involved in a development project in the village of Yirwal, a rural community in Burkina Faso. European University Geneva provided funding to build two fully equipped flour mills in Yirwal, in addition to a well which was dug in the village and an ambulance to bring the sick from this isolated region to hospitals in more developed areas.
The result has been life-altering. The nearest mill in the area was 20 kilometers away and the villagers would have to walk there and back to grind their corn. They can now process their flour in their own village, providing for their families and making feed for chickens (a staple of the diet in this West African nation and a highly profitable enterprise). Villagers from neighboring areas now come to Yirwal to process their corn.
European University Geneva Social Responsibility
European University Geneva Social Responsibility
With increased access to water and healthcare as well, life in Yirwal has improved notably.
The women of the community stand to benefit most from these developments. “To educate a woman is to educate a nation” says Professor Aminata Diallo, a high school teacher and director of the Maia Association, which provides women in Burkina Faso with practical household and health education, literacy programs and raises awareness of women’s and children’s rights.
Under Ms. Diallo’s direction, the village women founded the Women of Yirwal Association, which created a micro-credit system, helping them develop projects and pay for the maintenance of the mills. With the profit from the mills they built a henhouse, and the local school children look after the chickens.
Money has also been raised to provide solar powered electricity for the village school. The women have asked to go to school at night to learn to read, and Ms. Diallo is actively petitioning the Ministry of Education to provide assistance to improve literacy rates in the region.
Future plans include a sewing workshop and improvements in sanitary conditions in Yirwal.
European University's Geneva investment in Yirwal was the seed for substantial, tangible growth and its consequent improvement of life on a socio-economic level in the village. EU Business School Geneva is proud to play an integral role in this humanitarian project and pledges to support further economic and social opportunities in Yirwal and in other communities around the world, reflecting its commitment to corporate social responsibility.
Continuing in this philanthropic tradition, EU Business School Geneva students actively support charities for humanitarian projects, organizing galas for charity and collecting donations for their favorite NGOs.
European University Geneva is dedicated to educating ethical, socially-conscious business leaders.