The Gerdau Group believes that the success of an organization is not built alone, but must
involve communities of satisfied people with a good quality of life. To achieve this, it makes
ongoing investments in the sustainable development of the populations near its mills. Such
initiatives focus on education and community building, in line with the specific needs of each
location, in every country where the Group operates.
In 2005, the Company supported 506 social projects, benefiting 7.6 million people in the Americas
– up 17.3% on the previous year. These are children, students, teachers, community leaders, public
administrators, scientific researchers, athletes, artists and cultural producers and owners of small
and very small businesses, all of whom have, in some way, been given new opportunities through
the social initiatives undertaken by the Gerdau Group. Investments in this area were 7.9% greater
than in 2004, totaling R$ 41.7 million. The company also encourages individual responsibility in its
employees through volunteer activities, bringing together 1,600 people in 2005.
The Gerdau Institute was created in March
2005, with the aim of coordinating the
Gerdau Group’s social responsibility policies
and guidelines. As well as optimizing use of
resources and encouraging partnerships
with other private and public organizations,
the Gerdau Institute works to make the
projects self-sustaining. Its activities in the
2005 fiscal year were restricted to Brazil,
but it is planned to extend these to all
Gerdau Group operations in 2006.
Education is the main focus of investments, because it enhances the capacity of people to
transform and generates sustainable social and economic development.
HIGHLIGHTS
Learn about some of the activities developed in 2005 by clicking the titles below.
The Gerdau Institute was created in March
2005, with the aim of coordinating the
Gerdau Group’s social responsibility policies
and guidelines. As well as optimizing use of
resources and encouraging partnerships
with other private and public organizations,
the Gerdau Institute works to make the
projects self-sustaining. Its activities in the
2005 fiscal year were restricted to Brazil,
but it is planned to extend these to all
Gerdau Group operations in 2006.
