Letter from the Chairman of the Foundation

Dear Friends,

By deciding to establish a private foundation to work in the field of development solidarity and co-operation, the UniCredito Italiano Group has made a particularly innovative choice in the Italian scenario which implies, at the same time, personal commitment to a strong sense of social responsibility. The allocation of a percentage of the Group's profits to solidarity initiatives was in itself a good deed which needed to be sustained and enhanced by the creation of a structure which would be dedicated to the planning, selection and support of projects with humanitarian ends.

Unidea, Unicredit Foundation- is a private foundation, which I have the honour and the responsibility of chairing with the help of the skilled members of the Board of Directors, which has undertaken to address in a concrete and continuous manner the social responsibility which falls on certain subjects, for example important companies, occupying an important position in society, in order to boost, strengthen and sustain the no-profit and volunteer sectors. The Foundation acts in social and humanitarian fields, operating in the sectors of social assistance, health, education and environment. The work of the Foundation consists in planning, selecting and supporting interventions which are aimed at favouring human development, protecting the weakest levels of society, building and strengthening autonomy and responsibility in civilian society. Unidea, therefore, identifies priority intervention sectors, the Countries which require aid and support and the partners for the various initiatives.

Our commitment in the field of humanitarian aid signifies working so that the Countries where it is has been decided to intervene are given the structures, skills and knowledge which are necessary for them the resolve social emergencies on the spot and autonomously, and so that the population can achieve their legitimate aspirations of living and working conditions. Apart from the interventions, the Foundation at the same time carries out analysis and observation work which give an in-depth knowledge of the contexts in which it operates and which can also be of use to others working in the no-profit and volunteer fields.

Furthermore, Unidea intends enhancing and spreading the donation and volunteer culture, by offering, in particular to employees of the UniCredito Italiano Group, the possibility of placing their professional skills and creativity at the disposal of the Foundation's various projects. We hope that this new challenge of ours will be met with the support of all those persons, institutions and associations who feel that, in these times of rapid globalisation, it is a priority to make commitments to fight against poverty and aid human development.

Roberto Bertazzoni