CSR Story
Republic Bank’s Inclusive Social Investment How the Bank’s CSR programmes are making a positive difference In its quest to ‘make a positive difference’ in the lives of our people, Republic Bank, one of the largest, longest operating and most successful indigenous banks in the English-speaking Caribbean, continues to support social programmes that promote practical approaches to meaningful and lifelong change. Built on four pillars: the Power to Care, the Power to Help, the Power to Learn and the Power to Succeed, the ‘Power to Make a Difference’ programme focuses on three specific areas namely, the development of young people through education, sport and the arts; poverty alleviation through training programmes for at-risk youth and the provision of facilities for elderly community members, helping differently-abled persons and groups find their place in the world by providing training and physical facilities, to help them become more self-sufficient and effectively contribute to society. Expanding investment The Power to Make a Difference was introduced in 2004 with an investment of $52 million in social programmes in Trinidad and Tobago, over a four-year period. The second phase, over 20092014, saw a doubling of Republic Bank’s social investment to $100 million. In its 2014-2019 phase, the Bank continues its work with an additional $100 million investment. The Power to Make a Difference Programme has also been introduced in other countries where Republic Bank has operations, including Grenada, Guyana and Barbados, with a similar focus on youth development, poverty alleviation, and helping the differently-abled. 16
T&T CSR REVIEW 2015
Combating illiteracy During the 2014-2019 phase, Republic Bank has decided to pay specific attention to the area of illiteracy across the region. One of the major initiatives being undertaken is the partnership with the Trinidad & Tobago National Commission for UNESCO and its ‘Leading for Literacy Now!’ project. The programme will be rolled out in 40 primary schools each year and aims to improve the reading standards and numeracy skills of the infant population in schools. “The biggest thing we have discovered is that illiteracy is prevalent across all generations, so everyone needs to be taken into account. UNESCO is addressing illiteracy at the entry level and is getting buy-in from principals and teachers, ensuring that they are committed to taking a firm hold on it and breaking the cycle,” said Nadia Williams, Social Investment Officer, Republic Bank. Another essential component of the programme, is the “Parenting
for Literacy” segment. Through its partnership with the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission, the Commission has created the parenting programme, which will help parents to create an environment conducive to learning in their homes. “It gives parents the tools and techniques where they can engage their children in conversation and open up communication lines. The programme takes parents through every step. It helps with listening to your children, understanding the motor skills of your child at a certain age. It encourages parents to engage with children whether driving or walking to school, and it encourages children to talk and express themselves,” added Williams. Under the literacy programme, parents will also attend sessions on anger management and conflict resolution. The Bank will also continue its longstanding support of programmes with the Adult Literacy Tutors Association,