Beiersdorf : Building bridges between people

Anja Nienaber, Digital Transformation Manager Supply Chain, also provides support. Like other colleagues, she accompanies interns as a 'buddy', assists newcomers with all their questions, introduces them to people, and helps to build up a small network. Her involvement was triggered by the contact with a Syrian refugee family in her own community: 'Back then, we invited the family to spend time with us. Many times, we just listened while having tea - just to let them know we were interested in them, their culture and their history, we wanted to learn more about their experience. It opens your heart when people accept this. The family's four-year-old daughter was very fun-loving and got along well really quickly. She showed us self-painted pictures of beautiful eyes with eyeballs in which she had painted destroyed landscapes, very gloomy and detailed. It was impressive and sad at the same time.'

Sonia, Anja, and many other colleagues will continue their commitment - at Beiersdorf and beyond. This support will hopefully help Zakia, Danny and others that find themselves in a similar situation to settle a little bit more easily in a foreign environment. In addition, their stories and experiences which they so openly shared, with empathy and kindness, have touched the lives of many people around them, providing the opportunity to challenge some beliefs people might have had and creating a more inclusive, dynamic and diverse work environment.