“Businesses play a key role in fulfilling social responsibility”

“BUSINESSES PLAY A KEY ROLE IN FULFILLING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY”
– AHLSTRÖM COLLECTIVE IMPACT CONTINUES ITS SUPPORT FOR UNICEF’S
EDUCATIONAL WORK

Ahlström Collective Impact will continue to support UNICEF’s global educational program in 2024,
reinforcing its commitment to children’s education worldwide. A key element of this collaboration is the
training organized by UNICEF Finland for members of the Ahlström Collective Impact network,
emphasizing the importance of children’s rights in business operations and corporate responsibility.
The support provided by Ahlström Collective Impact for UNICEF’s educational program this year
amounts to close to 800,000 euros.

“Ahlström Collective Impact is a unique form of collaboration that excellently fulfils Ahlström’s mission to
create a better world for future generations through responsible value creation. Thanks to it, companies
within our network can jointly open doors to the future for children and enhance their understanding of
child rights from a business perspective. I am really pleased with participants’ long-standing
commitment to the cause,” says Jyrki Vainionpää, President and CEO of A. Ahlström Corporation.

“I see that the corporate sector plays a crucial role in social responsibility, and this role will become
increasingly important in the future. UNICEF Finland’s recent report on the child rights performance of
Finnish companies, viewed through a ‘child lens,’ is a significant step forward in this effort,” Nelli
Paasikivi-Ahlström, Chair of the Ahlström Collective Impact, says and continues: “Our vision is to
create a better world for future generations, and as the world’s most influential children’s organization,
UNICEF has the potential to effect long-lasting changes in the lives of children and young people.”

Earlier this year, companies within the Ahlström Collective Impact network participated in a study by
UNICEF Finland on the implementation of children’s rights in Finnish-listed companies. Based on the
study’s findings, these companies have started to further develop their responsibility work.
“We are grateful to Ahlström Collective Impact for its long-term commitment to partnering with us and
supporting our educational work. Education is every child’s right. It is also a key part of building a
sustainable and stable future and strengthening the resilience of societies,” says Johanna Talvela,
Director, Corporate Collaboration, UNICEF Finland.

About Ahlström Collective Impact
The Ahlström Collective Impact collaboration model began in 2020, uniting companies and foundations
in the Ahlström network to invest in children’s well-being through selected UNICEF projects aligned with
the UN’s sustainable development goals. Members include A. Ahlström, Ahlström Invest, Ahlstrom,
Avain Yhtiöt, Destia, Detection Technology, Eva Ahlström Foundation, Glaston, M&J Recycling,
Suominen, and Walter Ahlström Foundation.

UNICEF
UNICEF, the world’s largest advocate for children’s education, promotes education in 150 countries. Its
efforts include providing education in crisis situations, changing attitudes that hinder schooling,
promoting quality teaching, and defending the right to education for children with disabilities and
minorities. The organization works on both grassroots efforts and the development of entire education
systems in collaboration with government authorities.