Through the Gerdau Institute, the Gerdau Group announced its institutional support in 2006 for Futura Channel, a social communication project coordinated by the Roberto Marinho Foundation. It helps millions of Brazilians, and has a direct impact on around 12,000 public schools, day care facilities, hospitals, prisons, health centers, universities, NGOs, libraries, trade unions, companies and public bodies. Created in 1997 and maintained by 13 companies and private organizations, Futura Channel contributes to the education and development of the Brazilian people. Currently, around 19 million people watch its programs throughout Brazil.

"The Gerdau Group is a long-term partner of the Roberto Marinho Foundation. Together, we carry out important projects, such as the Young Scientist Award, which was a pioneer in encouraging scientific research," said Hugo Barreto, general secretary of the Roberto Marinho Foundation and president of the Group of Institutes, Foundations and Enterprises (GIFE). "Support for Futura Channel will consolidate the Group's position in regard to the urgent need to improve the quality of Brazilian education."

The partnership is strengthening the operations of Futura Channel in communities surrounding the main Gerdau Group units. The Gerdau Institute can suggest specific themes for the creation of programs on education, the environment, consumer awareness, job training, and extracurricular activities for public school students, among others.

Since 1994, the Gerdau Group has supported Junior Achievement, a non-profit organization that trains elementary, high school and university students for the world of business. The aim is to awaken the entrepreneurial spirit in young people who are still studying, to encourage personal development, offer a clear view of the world of business and ease access into the job market.

To this end, Junior Achievement offers theoretical and practical programs based on education and experience in the free enterprise system. The young participants create companies, develop products and take part in the day-to-day work of a professional, among other activities. The project is supported by the volunteer work of Gerdau Group employees who take part in the students' development. In 2006, Junior Achievement was active in around 100 countries, benefiting over 7 million young people. The organization reached 211,400 students in Brazil alone.

Playing a sport is one of the most effective options for encouraging children and teenagers to become citizens with an awareness of, and a responsibility for, their role in society. Based on this belief, the Gerdau Group supported the creation of the Tennis Foundation in Brazil and Uruguay, benefiting young people in vulnerable situations. Through tennis lessons, the participants learn values such as responsibility, respect and cooperation, which are fundamental in making good citizens.

In 2006, around 450 children benefited from the project in Porto Alegre (Brazil) and Maldonado (Uruguay). In 2007, the program will be expanded to include the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo.

To make opera popular and put it within everyone's reach: this was the commitment taken on by the Spanish steelmaker Sidenor in supporting the Bilbao Friends of the Opera Association, one of the most important and traditional promoters of the art in the Bilbao area.

The Association holds courses and didactic concerts for school groups, as well as guided visits to rehearsals and production of certain works, all with the aim of increasing interest in opera among young people. The activities allow children and teenagers to appreciate the charm and magic of an operatic production, an art form that moves audiences the world over.

The seasons organized by the Association have won national and international recognition, with each one attracting an average audience of 70,000. The nonprofit organization was founded in 1953 and now has 6,500 members.

Containing global warming is one of humanity's great challenges. With this in mind, Gerdau AZA, in Chile, signed an agreement with the NGO RPA Cultiva to reforest Cerro Calán, an important landmark in the Chilean capital, Santiago. Hundreds of students will plant 16,000 native trees in an area of 30 hectares. The initiative should be completed in 2007.

The trees will produce 1,400 metric tons of oxygen per year and remove 360 metric tons of dust from the air. The Santiago Metropolitan Region is regarded as one of the most atmospherically polluted areas on the planet. Dispersal of airborne pollutants is hindered by the city's geographical location, in a valley surrounded by the Andes. Reforestation is viewed as the best solution for improving air quality.

According to Guillermo Scallan, director of RPA Cultiva, the success of the project is due largely to support from Gerdau AZA. The initiative received the Bicentenary Seal from Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, in recognition of its contribution to the development of the country.

Volunteer work motivates Gerdau Group employees. In 2006, the Gerdau Volunteer Cup in Brazil brought together more than 6,000 employees in a Gerdau Institute initiative to encourage volunteer work. In the United States, Gerdau Ameristeel Knoxville Fabrication (Tennessee), Gerdau Ameristeel Jackson (Tennessee) and Gerdau Ameristeel Wilton (Iowa) established a partnership with their local chambers of commerce to create a volunteer network that supports the schools in the region.

The Gerdau Volunteer Cup benefited more than 130,500 people in 76 Brazilian cities. Institutions received donations and management advice, as well as being encouraged to carry out income-generating activities. One of these tasks resulted in the creation of a costume jewelry cooperative at the Tia Madalena childcare center in the state of Pernambuco. The money earned through the sale of the products is used to improve the center. "Volunteer work makes such a big difference and you can see it in people's eyes, faces and smiles. It is touching and the gains are mutual," said Gerdau Açonorte employee Maria Áurea Ferreira Viana Barros.

The Gerdau Ameristeel plants took part in the national Partnership in Education program. Gerdau employees teach business techniques to young people and follow up on those who need extra lessons. They also take the kids to see the daily routine at the plants. "It is very satisfying to be part of a child's schooling. You leave with a really good feeling," said Lisa Bryson, mentor and Gerdau Ameristeel employee.