Arcenciel, an association dedicated to vulnerable communities and marginalized people
8,000 children benefited from the CMA CGM Foundation’s support in Lebanon and France in 2018
Launch of the 2019 call for proposals on the theme “Promoting access to education for vulnerable children “
10th edition of the CMA CGM Foundation Prize
Naïla Saadé, President of the CMA CGM Foundation, presented the Foundation’s 2018 Prize on December 26th at CMA CGM’s regional headquarters in Beirut, in addition to 20,000 euros to Kim Issa, External Relations Manager of the Arcenciel Association. The ceremony was attended by Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CMA CGM Group, Tanya Saadé Zeenny and Jacques Junior Saadé. Pierre Issa, co-founder of Arcenciel, Nadim Abdo, programs director, as well as Arcenciel members, former prize winners and Group employees were also present. For the past ten years, this important event has been a highlight of CMA CGM Group’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility every year.
Arcenciel, the winning association of the 2018 CMA CGM Foundation Prize
This award recognizes the outstanding work carried out by Arcenciel, which has been involved for more than 30 years in the integration, development and support of young people. Co-founded by Pierre Issa in 1985 during the civil war, the Arcenciel association’s initial objective is to help a growing number of people with disabilities due to the prolongation of the war. Today, Arcenciel is working with determination for the social and economic integration of marginalized communities and people. As part of its support programs, the association has set up a daycare center and six specialized classes for children with disabilities aged 6 to 14 in its center in Taanayel (Beqaa). To support an increasingly vulnerable youth and thus contribute to their personal development, Arcenciel offers a wide range of sports and leisure activities such as circus training workshops. Its objective is to help young people to achieve autonomy and empower them for civic engagement.
A 10th edition of the CMA CGM Foundation prize
Created in 2008, the CMA CGM Foundation Prize is awarded each year to two associations, in Lebanon and France, which stand out for their commitment in the social or humanitarian field in favor of vulnerable children.
PRESS RELEASENaïla Saadé, President of the CMA CGM Foundation, states: “each year, the CMA CGM Foundation Prize shines a light on associations and individuals who bear hope, who move us and who inspire us to pursue and to develop our actions. For its 10th edition, the Foundation has thus decided to award its Prize to Arcenciel, with the conviction that the seeds sown in childhood develop deep roots.”
Kim Issa also declares: “I would like to warmly thank the CMA CGM Foundation for its support, and congratulate Mrs. Naïla Saadé for her action and involvement in favor of vulnerable children. The entire Arcenciel team is very proud to receive this prize, and today I would like to reaffirm our total devotion to this common cause. Arcenciel is an associative adventure combining passion and pragmatism, and we are determined to pursue its development.”
Launch of the 2019 call for projects
The CMA CGM Foundation launches every year a call for proposals, in France and in Lebanon, supporting projects which answer a specific issue.
In 2018, the call for projects focused on the theme “Promoting equal opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds”. The Foundation received a record number of 180 applications and decided to reward 16 Lebanese and French associations for a total amount of 220,300 €. In Lebanon, the Foundation has supported the Société Saint Vincent de Paul, ASSABIL, Dar Al Amal, the Mar Semaan Centre, the Fondation Sociale Saint Antoine and the Annas Linnas Association. In 2018, 8,000 children from underprivileged backgrounds have benefited from the Foundation’s support in Lebanon and France.
Seizing the occasion of this ceremony, Mrs. Naïla Saadé also announced the launch of the Foundation’s 2019 call for proposals on the theme of “Promoting access to education for vulnerable children”. Applications will be open until March 9th, 2019.
About the CMA CGM Corporate Foundation
Created in 2005 and chaired by Mrs. Naïla Saadé, the CMA CGM Foundation is committed to helping vulnerable children. Since its creation, the Foundation has supported nearly 200 projects in France and in Lebanon aimed at improving the daily lives of sick children, promoting equal opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, or encouraging the personal development of disabled children.
Concerned by the humanitarian and societal challenges affecting many countries around the world, it has also been conducting its Containers of Hope operation since 2012. This large-scale humanitarian transport operation allows major French NGOs to deliver humanitarian material free of charge onboard CMA CGM Group’s shipping lines.