UNAOC and BMW Group Renew Ground-Breaking Partnership

NEW YORK and MUNICH, September 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

During the Alliance of Civilizations Group of Friends Ministerial meeting held on Friday at the United Nations headquarters, a major public-private partnership between BMW Group and the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) was renewed. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, the UN High Representative for UNAOC and Mr. Bill McAndrews, BMW Group Vice President, signed the agreement in the presence of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, ministers from over 100 countries, and the heads of international organizations as well as media representatives. Mr. McAndrews was participating in the ministerial meeting which was convened by Mr. Al-Nasser during the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130926/642766-a )

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130926/642766-b )

This renewal brings an exemplary shared project, The Intercultural Innovation Award, to a new level of activity, thereby highlighting the potential of public-private partnerships in furthering the international community's goals. The Intercultural Innovation Award is a global venture, to identify and provide monetary and in-kind support to grassroots initiatives that are working to alleviate identity-based tensions and conflicts around the world. Last year, the award benefitted over 140,000 individuals around the world. This represented a two-fold increase from the previous year. Additionally, since its inception, the award has tripled the number of communities it is helping people in.

The two parties believe that this new model of collaboration between the UN and the private sector creates deeper impact, as both provide their respective expertise to ensure the growth of each project. Crucially, this renewal means an increase in the level of support that will be provided to the initiatives identified through the award. Both partners manage the award jointly - mobilizing their resources, time, and networks to support the awardees.

For further questions please contact: 

BMW Group Corporate and Governmental Affairs

Milena Pighi
Social Responsibility
tel: +49-89-382-21248
email: Milena.PA.Pighi@bmw.de

Alexander Bilgeri
Head of Business, Finance and Sustainability Communications
tel: +49-89-382-24544
email: Alexander.Bilgeri@bmw.de