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Intel Costa Rica has been recognized on several occasions for its commitment to community involvement. The company has received the "Community Service Award" from the Costa Rican American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) on four occasions (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005) and gained special recognition from the U.S. Secretary of State in being selected as a finalist for the Corporate Excellence Award in 2005.
These awards recognize Intel Costa Rica's commitment and consistency in community relations. Intel has been praised both for the projects and programs that it and its employees have carried out, and for contributing to the improvement of the quality of life in their communities by role-modeling and exceeding sound environmental performance. |
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| Intel Costa Rica: A model for involvement with the community |
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In keeping with Intel's objective of being an asset to its communities worldwide, Intel Costa Rica and its employees have actively planned, developed and executed many initiatives in the community since the beginning of Intel's presence in Costa Rica, in 1997.
Each year nearly three out of every 10 employees at Intel Costa Rica work as a community volunteer. Intel employees contribute their time, energy and skills to more than 12 different programs and projects annually in the areas of education, technology awareness, environmental awareness and improvement in quality of life.
The community projects include school painting, planting trees, teaching environmental concepts and also motivating students to develop an entrepreneurial spirit, among many others. Volunteers also contribute to national education programs, especially in the strengthening of science and math education, and actively participate in the national science fair and other important programs.
Even though the efforts have been concentrated in Belén, the county where Intel is based in Costa Rica, several programs have been expanded to other communities where Intel volunteers live, reaching a broader community, and we have also arrived beyond the capital’s boundaries. For example, at the end of 2006, Intel Costa Rica launched a project in Playa Grande Guanacaste, at the north part of the country. The company donated some equipment and volunteer job to the Minister of Environment and Energy and the Leatherback Trust Foundation, to help in the conservation of the leatherback turtle. And our work is also reflected in the south part of Costa Rica, in the Península de Osa, where more than 5% of all the biodiversity of the world is concentrated. Intel Costa Rica is working together with some neighbors in the environmental education of the kids if this area.
"Even if employees have really tight agendas, when they go out and participate in the community projects, they see the tremendous impact of their contribution and feel very fulfilled," says Patricia Chico, Intel Costa Rica Community Project Manager. "This is part of Intel's culture. It is an excellent way to help our communities and at the same time, create a positive work environment for our employees." |
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