In 2019, the partnership between the Fundação Odebrecht and Mitsubishi Corporation in favor of education for sustainable development in the Southern Bahia Lowlands celebrates ten years. On August 26 and 28, executives from the Japanese multinational company returned to the region they visited last year to meet with the youngsters of the region.

Michael Lagowski, Head of Mitsubishi’s Corporate Social Liability, and Saori Matsubara, Manager of Corporate Strategy and Coordination Department, were at the meeting. The visit focused on three Casas Familiares that integrate the  Fundação Odebrecht‘s social program and get support from Mitsubishi: Agroforestry Family House (Cfaf), Rural Family House of Igrapiúna (CFR-I), and Rural Family House of Presidente Tancredo Neves (CFR-PTN).

Throughout the trip, it was possible to talk to these young people and see up close how education is responsible for significant changes in the lives of hundreds of adolescents and their families. According to Natiliane Conceição, student of the 3rd year at the CFR-I, visits like this one allow the investors to know the result of the program: “They could see for themselves our interest in dealing with the land. They can see with their own eyes our progress with the project,” she says.

Fabio Wanderley, Superintendent of Fundação Odebrecht, the sees the meeting as a chance to strengthen the partnership: “For ten years, Mitsubishi has been supporting the Foundation in its quest to build a society with more equal opportunities. This is a collaboration that contributes to the sustainable development of Southern Bahia Lowlands. Together, we are achieving effective results,” he said.

In 2018, the Fundação Odebrecht conducted an Impact Evaluation of its Social Program, which provided scientifically robust evidence that the Development and Integrated Growth Program with Sustainability (PDCIS), created in 2003 and coordinated by the Foundation in the region, generates significant economic, environmental and social changes in the lives of the community supported by the project. Click here to learn more.