UPM Foundation supports long-term development in Uruguay


(UPM, 29 September 2015 at 15:00 EET) – The UPM Foundation promotes education and entrepreneurship through joint work with social organisations and local representatives in Uruguay. It annually publishes a report presenting its objectives, operations and latest achievements.

“We are seeking to promote the long-term development and growth of these communities in cooperation with local stakeholders in rural areas. Our work is carried out in collaboration with social organisations, public institutions, departmental and national authorities and other social agencies,” says Magdalena Ibanez, Manager of UPM Foundation.

Established in 2006, the foundation’s mission is to bring together local stakeholders, communities and authorities especially in the fields of education and training in the departments where UPM is active.

“In rural Uruguay, some children finish school as early as age 12, which makes it difficult for them to enter professions that require special training. Through the UPM Foundation, we have been able to extend their schooling and thus improve their employment prospects in the future,” says Ibanez.

Thanks to the UPM Foundation’s work, the remote community of Clara, Tacuarembó, saw its first generation of young people complete their secondary education in December 2014. The aim of this public-private educational programme is to provide high-quality post-primary education throughout the region.

The Integrated Programme for Strengthening Rural Schools being implemented in all rural schools in Río Negro completed its second year in 2014. The programme updates traditional approaches to education, promoting more in-depth research and participation among both teachers and pupils.

The construction of a community orchard in the rural school of Queguayar has increased the variety to food with locally produced vegetables. The orchard also serves as an excellent teaching resource, bringing together families and school to work for their town.

“The UPM Foundation sees community development as starting with the advancement of individual and collective capacities, abilities and skills. The actions we carry out always focus on the long-term effect and the well-being of our reference communities,” states Ibanez.

In addition to its numerous projects, the Foundation last year organized open lectures and community workshops with local representatives, presented its operations in a photo exhibition and organised a visit for community leaders at the UPM Fray Bentos mill.  

Altogether over 308,000 people have participated in the UPM Foundation programmes in eight departments and more than 90 communities in Uruguay since it was founded.

For more information:
Magdalena Ibanez, Manager, UPM Foundation, tel. +598 9900 3828

 

Read more about the UPM Foundation’s work and projects in the latest annual report http://user-fudicvo.cld.bz/Annual-Report-2014

Watch the video on how the Clara project has impacted the lives of the young people in the rural community >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iM19NAR0f4A

Follow Fundación UPM on Facebook in Spanish: https://www.facebook.com/FundacionUPMUY?fref=ts

 


UPM in Uruguay
UPM’s operations in Uruguay include the Fray Bentos pulp mill, the UPM Forestal Oriental forestry and wood sourcing company and its two nurseries, as well as the UPM Foundation, which works in cooperation with local organizations to contribute to education, entrepreneurship and improving quality of life through projects focusing on the rural areas where the company operates.

UPM Forestal Oriental owns 230,000 hectares of land, of which about 60% is planted with eucalyptus. The rest of the land is protected or used for forestry-related infrastructure, such as cattle grazing and other non-plantation operations. All of UPM’s forest plantations are certified to FSC® and PEFCTM standards.

The Fray Bentos pulp mill started operations in 2007 and remains one of the world’s most modern and efficient pulp mills. Its annual production capacity is 1.3 million tonnes of chemical eucalyptus pulp. Besides pulp, the Fray Bentos mill is a significant biomass-based energy producer, its electricity production accounting for 11% of Uruguay’s total energy production. The mill’s wood raw material comes from sustainably managed local plantations.

In Uruguay, UPM has 550 direct employees and the company indirectly employs around 3,400 people. UPM Uruguay’s value chain creates altogether 6,400 jobs and its contribution to Uruguay’s GDP is approximately 1.3%. www.upm.com/uy


UPM Pulp
UPM is one of the world’s leading producers of northern softwood, birch and eucalyptus pulp, supplying global customers in a variety of end use segments such as tissue, specialty papers, board as well as printing and writing through its own sales and service network. UPM operates four modern pulp mills, three in Finland and one in Uruguay as well as eucalyptus plantations in Uruguay. UPM Pulp employs approximately 1,500 people and has an annual pulp production capacity of 3.5 million tonnes. The Pulp Business is part of the UPM Biorefining Business Area. To learn more, please visit: www.upmpulp.com

UPM
Through the integration of the bio and forest industries, UPM is building a sustainable future across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Paper Asia, UPM Paper Europe and North America and UPM Plywood. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. We serve our customers worldwide. The group employs around 20,000 people and its annual sales are approximately €10 billion. UPM shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com