Educating the next generation and promoting continuous development in science and research are important prerequisites for the growth of a modern, forward-thinking society. As a member of the Stifterverband für die 'Deutsche Wissenschaft', the innovation agency for the German science system, ERGO supports the expansion of Germany’s position as a top location for science and research. We particularly focus on assisting young people in the course of their education and on encouraging socially and economically relevant debate.
FOCUS school competition
ERGO is the main sponsor of FOCUS Magazin Verlag’s 2011/2012 school competition ‘Schule macht Zukunft’ (Schools for the Future) for years 8 to 13. The goal of the competition is to promote dialogue between schools and businesses. The programme encourages young people to assume responsibility and to take an active role in shaping their own future. The competition’s motto for 2012 is ‘In the nets. Done. Go!’.
More information:
www.focus.de/schuelerwettbewerb (German)
Scholarship programmes at universities
ERGO is also active in the NRW scholarship programme, supporting promising students per year at the University of Cologne and the universities of applied sciences in Cologne and Düsseldorf, mainly in the fields of insurance studies, health economics, actuarial mathematics and media informatics. In addition, ERGO promotes talented graduate students at the University of Mannheim in cooperation with the Dr Kurt Hamann Foundation.
More information:
www.deutschland-stipendium.de (German)
ERGO 'Youth & Future' foundation
Perspectives of a safe and independent future
The charitable ERGO Foundation 'Youth & Future' aims at opening up new perspectives for young people and encouraging them to shape their own future. Socially disadvantaged young people receive support in making the transition to vocational training or jobs.
The 'Mathematik.de' website
ERGO is promoting the Mathematik.de website, which is aimed at everyone from amateur mathematicians to pupils, students, teachers and researchers; it helps increase awareness of important mathematical questions. ‘Mathematik.de’ teaches people about mathematics, provides information on research projects, and has some original ideas for promoting mathematics in schools, universities and workplaces.
More information:
www.mathematik.de(German)
ERGO Austria supports Viennese learning group
ERGO Austria also focuses on the topic "Education" within the framework of their Corporate Responsibility Strategy and cooperates with the non-profit association "Wiener Lerntafel". They arrange free educational support for school children from 6 to 14 years old. The association, based in the Vienna Gasometer, already coaches around 200 children. It concentrates on children from disadvantaged families who do not have sufficient resources of their own to satisfy the current educational requirements.
More information:
www.ergo-austria.com (German)
www.lerntafel.at(German)