FNB Namibia has announced their sponsorship of World NGO Day 2024, in partnership with the Namibia Development Trust (NDT), recognising those who work for humanitarian causes.
World NGO Day was celebrated on 27 and 28 February under the theme of Building a Sustainable Future: The Role of NGOs in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking at the event, FNB Namibia Manager: Public Sector Banking Bolle Hans noted the importance NGOs play in the economy especially as drivers of inclusive change.
“NGOs are widely recognised as development actors in their own right. They stand out thanks to their capacity to reach out to, empower, represent, and defend vulnerable and socially excluded groups and trigger social innovation. They promote pluralism, diversity and tolerance in society while protecting and strengthening cultural, religious, and other identities. Against this background, the FirstRand Namibia group continues to reinforce our partnerships and engagement with NGOs through our CSR vehicle, the FirstRand Namibia Foundation Trust,” he said.
The FirstRand Namibia Foundation currently invests over N$15 million annually in CSR, working on behalf of FNB Namibia, RMB, WesBank, Ashburton and Pointbreak and meaningfully impacting the lives of over one million Namibians.
“As a bank, it’s our duty to help those who make the world a better place. FNB therefore acknowledges the pivotal role that Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Development Partner Organisations (DPOs) play in addressing global challenges and steering humanity towards a more sustainable future,” he added.
“We recognise NGOs as valuable and efficient implementers of human rights and development work, due to their closeness and commitment to communities and their local and topical expertise. They are crucial actors of change, and their commitment and courage are all the more needed to build a sustainable, fair, and equal world and to shape a better future for all,” Hans concluded.