Bayer receives Ron Brown Award

Bayer has received "Ron-Brown-Award for Corporate Leadership" the prestigious Ron Brown Award for Corporate Leadership. This is the first time the award has been given to a company with global headquarters outside the U.S. and also to a chemical company. It is the only U.S. presidential award to honor companies for their activities in the social sector. Bayer received this accolade for its "Making Science Make Sense" program, an initiative launched ten years ago that advances scientific literacy among school students. ”This is an important acknowledgement of our commitment to society and our determination to increase interest in the natural sciences,” said Management Board Chairman Werner Wenning, clearly delighted.

During a ceremony at the White House, Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez presented the award to Dr. Attila Molnar, President and CEO of Bayer Corporation. The award is named after the late Commerce Secretary in the Clinton administration, Ron Brown. It is given annually to companies that have demonstrated themselves to be outstanding corporate citizens through their social commitment and exemplary relationships with employees and communities.

Through the " Making Science Make Sense" program (MSMS), 1,200 Bayer volunteers devote their free time to instilling enthusiasm for the natural sciences among young people across the U.S. Through practical experiments they encourage students to become more inquisitive, at the same time passing on basic scientific knowledge.

More than a million students and teachers across the U.S. have participated in the regular MSMS events. Many millions more in North America have benefited from Bayer’s national scientific advocacy programs. Molnar: “Our employees clearly embody our company motto, ‘Bayer: Science For A Better Life’.“

Science literacy is essential today, Dr. Molnar emphasized. ”We’ll need the jolts of discovery from budding young scientists who will discover and invent, and shape, heal and change the world,” he said. ”What’s more, the skills acquired from hands-on science education, like critical thinking, creativity and adapting to change, are essential to any career one chooses.”< /span>

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an integral component of the values and principles underpinning Bayer’s corporate policy and culture. The company has a more than 100-year tradition of social commitment, evidenced by its participation in some 300 CSR projects around the world. These are primarily in the areas of education and research, the environment, social and health issues, culture and sport.