By 2020 was a year like no other. Time seems to have stood still, as we collectively hunkered down in our houses to protect the livelihoods of our community from the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Social and economic hardships already existent further deteriorated, and those that were starting to show signs of progress, slowed down tremendously.
Having said this, I think it’s now more important than ever for businesses to band together to help the world regain the progress that we had previously made in accomplishing several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), some of which include Clean Water, Social Development, Road Safety and Smart Drinking, among others. Last year, I had the privilege of being appointed Board Director of the AB InBev Foundation, positioning me at the forefront of making sure our company complies with, and helps accomplish the previously mentioned UNSDGs. Alongside my talented colleagues who make up the Foundation’s board, I will be giving my all to ensure that AB InBev does its part in helping the world recover amidst the tumultuous uphill battle that will be 2021. We are ready!
What’s first on the pipeline?
With the development and approval of the COVID-19 vaccine, it appears that the days of the pandemic are nearing their end. This will only be possible, however, if we collectively ensure that 70% of the world’s population successfully receives the required dosage. This poses a significant logistical challenge for suppliers and governments alike, due to the sub-zero temperatures needed to transport and deploy the vaccine. This, coupled with a growing number of misinformed skeptics who are either reluctant or outright refuse to receive the shot, makes an already difficult challenge even more complicated.
At AB InBev, we strive to bring people together for a better world. In the current scenario, however, we need to do our part in making sure it’s safe for people to come together in the first place. In the following weeks and months, we will be supporting governments and communities across the world with their COVID-19 vaccinations efforts, putting our logistical knowledge at their disposal for whatever they might need, just as we did at the beginning of the pandemic, when we used our facilities to produce hand sanitizer and distribute protective gear to healthcare workers worldwide. Not only this, but using the insights we have acquired from our social norms marketing campaigns, we will also be doing our part in creating educational initiatives to increase consumers’ understanding of the scientific data and methods behind the vaccine. Vaccination is a communal challenge, and we always do our part in making sure we help the communities where we operate to thrive.
But, that’s not all we have in store.
Smart Drinking continues to be a key pillar for us at AB InBev and the Foundation, and very soon, we will be unveiling some very ambitious proposals for the upcoming year that I can’t wait to share with you all. In addition, we will also be running a series of workshops for evidence-based methodologies, studies on how we are progressing with the Global Smart Drinking Goals and, of course, a plethora of Road Safety pilots we are looking forward to.
Here’s to 2021 being better than 2020.
All my best,
Cata.
What do you think?