IKEA Supports Save the Children's Global and U.S. Education Programs Since 2001

WESTPORT, Conn. (May 18, 2009) — IKEA Group President and CEO, Anders Dahlvig, has been awarded the first annual Oslo Business for Peace Award. The award was given in Oslo, Norway on May 14, 2009 by the Business for Peace Foundation. The award highlights socially responsible business practices and the development of successful international or nationwide businesses recognized by the communities within which their businesses act.

The award committee, including 3 Nobel laureates, Professor Muhammad Yunus, Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai and Professor A. Michael Spence, noted, "Under Mr. Dahlvig's leadership, IKEA has placed sustainability at the heart of its product development and supply strategy. In 2000, the company introduced their Code of Conduct, IWAY. The code of conduct defines what suppliers can expect from IKEA and what IKEA requires from its suppliers in terms of legal requirements, working conditions, the active prevention of child labor, environmental protection and forestry management. In 2007, IKEA decided to do even more and started a joint project with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on climate change, in order to reduce carbon emissions caused by its business." Watch video of the award committee's special message.

On accepting the award, Anders Dahlvig thanked the award committee saying, "Companies, such as IKEA, whose purpose and vision go beyond the traditional objectives of maximizing shareholder's wealth, have an advantage. I believe that most people want a purpose and meaning with what they do for a living. If this purpose contributes to doing good work for others, it is a tremendous motivator."

He added, "To be able to create a better everyday life for many people has kept me motivated for 25 years, and many of my 130,000 IKEA co-workers are strongly motivated by this same thing. I know that the award given to me and IKEA today will make all IKEA co-workers very proud and inspire us to increase our efforts even more."

IKEA'S Work with Save the Children

IKEA North America Services, a partner since 2001, has supported Save the Children's international and domestic education programs. In 2007, as part of its "Home is the Most Important Place in the World" campaign, IKEA announced support for Save the Children's Early Steps to School Success program in the United States. This program provides poor, rural families with home-based services for children from 0 to five.

Save the Children is the leading independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. Save the Children USA is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, a global network of 27 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure the well-being and protection of children in more than 120 countries. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.