We have continuous and extensive dialogue with local communities and other stakeholders such as civil society, authorities and academia and we invest in several social initiatives. Our most long-term commitment is the Sustainable Barcarena Initiative, where we have committed to invest BRL 100 million (NOK 250 million) over ten years to support collaboration for social change.
“We have to build trust and we will do so focusing on three different elements: First, what we do inside the fence: people should not have to be concerned that we do not run our business in a manner which is not safe – for our employees, for the environment and for the local communities. Second, outside the fence, we seek transparency and openness in how we impact local communities, and we have introduced social and volunteer programs. And third, we will bring the stakeholders together to facilitate local development.”
— Anne-Lene Midseim, Executive Vice President for CSR in Hydro, Hydro Capital Markets Day, November 29, 2018
Alunorte closer to the communities of Barcarena
The refinery regularly receives visits from members of the local community, as well as authorities, the media and employees’ families. In early 2019 alone, about 500 people from more than 20 communities were invited to visit the refinery's production and environmental control systems.
The community visits to the refinery include viewing the refinery's safety system, as well as the protocols and parameters followed to return treated water to the environment.
See video about the program Alunorte with Open Doors:
"We are working to become more accessible neighbors and to collaborate with issues that are important to the life of the community. In conversations, we are given the opportunity to talk about our operations, clarify doubts and mainly hear of their desires and main questions."
— John Thuestad, Executive Vice President for Bauxite& Alumina
Dialogue with communities
Through 2019, 1,200 people have participated in the Social Dialogue Program meetings promoted by the refinery to share information and strengthen the relationship between neighbors. Besides the visits and the Social Dialogue, representatives of the communities had four meetings with Hydro's Executive Vice President in Brazil, John Thuestad, where topics considered relevant by the participants were discussed.
Watch the video about the Social Dialogue program:
From one of those meetings, for example, emerged the initiative to rehabilitate public spaces in Barcarena for children and young people to practice sports after school. Five recreation spaces were refurbished in five communities of Barcarena that nowhost sports and culture activities as part of a pilot project.
Updated: November 11, 2019
