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Barclays and The Guardian Newspaper Partner to Win the Coffey International Award for the Katine Partnership

^{Published on 2010-07-09 04:11:08 - Market Wire}
 

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA--(Marketwire - July 9, 2010) - Global professional services consultancy Coffey International Limited (ASX: [ COF ]) is pleased to congratulate Barclays and The Guardian News and Media on winning the Coffey International Award for the Katine Partnership. The award was presented by HRH The Prince of Wales at the Business in the Community's (BITC) Prince's 25^th Anniversary Gala Dinner in London on Monday night.

Launched in 2007, the Katine Partnership is improving education, health, livelihoods, sanitation and community empowerment for the 25,000 people living in Katine, Uganda.

Supported by the Department for International Development (DFID), the Coffey International Award recognises company programs that can demonstrate a positive impact in one or more of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Barclays and The Guardian partnered with African non-government organisation (NGO) African Medical and Research Foundation (Amref) which implements the development work in Katine.

The £3 million scheme was funded by The Guardian readers who donated £1.2 million and Barclays, who contributed £1.5 million. The remaining funds were contributed by The Guardian to closely monitor the project and provide editorial support.

Originally planned as a three-year project, it has been extended by a further 12 months to ensure the sustainability of the social impacts that have been achieved.

Charles Duff, Coffey's chief operating officer, Europe and Middle East and Chair of Judges, said: "The Katine Partnership is an innovative example of how the private sector can work together to help achieve the MDGs. Not only have Barclays and The Guardian provided funding for this program but they have created the opportunity for The Guardian readers to support the people of Katine through charitable donations. Combined with the experience and resources of the Amref, this wide-reaching partnership has been able to create significant impacts on the Katine community."

Coffey International Limited managing director Roger Olds said that Coffey was once again delighted to sponsor this prestigious award as part of the Business in the Community Awards for Excellence in Corporate Responsibility.

"Our company vision is 'global specialists in solving emerging challenges to improve the lives of communities.' Our sponsorship of the award is one way that we can celebrate other companies that share in our vision. I would like to congratulate Barclays, The Guardian and Armef for their innovative approach to addressing challenges such as education, health and sanitation in Africa.

"I encourage other organisations to take up this challenge of addressing the MDG and make a difference in the communities in which they operate."

To find out more information about the Katine Partnership visit [ http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine ].

About Coffey
Coffey International Limited (ASX: [ COF ]) has been operating for 50 years, and is part of the S&P/ASX 300. We have a range of specialist businesses working in the social and physical infrastructure markets, and collectively, we aim to achieve our vision: to be global specialists solving emerging challenges to improve the lives of communities.

Around the world, we are providing services at every stage of the infrastructure lifecycle -- starting with planning and financing the project, through development and resolving the technical challenges to the management of resources, timelines and budgets. The cycle continues as we use our specialist knowledge to ensure objectives continue to be met in the long term and infrastructure is appropriately maintained.

Our work involves a wide range of built assets -- like roads, buildings, gas pipelines, mines, and sporting facilities -- just about everything that is required to meet the demands of a growing world population, rapid urbanisation and heightened environmental sustainability awareness.

Through our expertise, we are also enabling government and aid agencies to strengthen local communities, increasing quality of life and living standards. We develop mechanisms and manage projects across a range of social infrastructure, including economic development, education and training and health.

We have over 4,000 people working on projects in more than 80 countries and permanent offices throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Our plans are to continue expanding our specialist businesses through organic, transformational and acquisition growth.

Visit [ www.coffey.com ] for more information.