First Dutch Business Summit on Refugees garners nationwide press coverage

On April 8th 2019, 16 leading executives and CEOS of companies in the Netherlands – including Shell, ING and Philips – announced a series of commitments to help refugees, leading to jobs for over 3,500 refugees as well as improved access to services for more than 10,000 refugees.

Co-hosted by former Unilever CEO Paul Polman, the CEO of Rabobank Wiebe Dreijer and the Managing Director of Accenture in the Netherlands, Irine Gaasbeek, the event garnered nationwide press coverage across Dutch media, including the front page of leading Dutch financial newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad and TV station ANP.

Speaking at the Summit, Paul Polman said: “It’s critical for businesses that have operations overseas to think about what they can do, especially in frontline countries like Turkey, Jordan and Ethiopia, which have some of the largest refugee populations in the world. Companies have a responsibility in helping refugees integrate in their communities, as well as creating the conditions to help them live a dignified life where they can support themselves and their families. It’s good for society and it’s good for business.”

Read more about the Dutch Business Summit on FD, RTLZ, NOS, Business Insider Netherlands, DutchNews.NL and NPO Radio1