CISL in Action

What does a CISL programme look like?

In our recent CISL Builds Resilience Blog series, we’ve shared a lot of data about the impact of Corporate International Service Learning (CISL) experiences. This data is valuable and provides important insights, but amidst all the numbers it’s important not to lose sight of the human stories that underpin each experience.

With that in mind, we invite you to join us on a trip down memory lane as we re-visit some of the programmes and participant stories featured throughout our CISL Study History.

Credit Suisse Global Citizens Programme

The Credit Suisse Global Citizens Programme was launched in 2010. Since then, over 400 employees have completed assignments in over 50 countries around the world.

In 2018, Hanns-Christian Ehret, Head of Business Development & Sales in Switzerland travelled to South Africa to develop a project academy syllabus and introduce it to the staff of Room to Read through a one-week onsite training course.

“The assignment created many lasting memories, but the most memorable was a school visit in a township outside Pretoria where I experienced, first-hand, the day to-day work and how libraries connect parents, teachers and the wider community. The learners proudly show-cased how the home-language classroom provides an important gateway to knowledge and opportunity. What struck with me most was the children’s extraordinary joy in reading books paired with their silent hope to build a better future outside their community, which is full of crime, drugs and poverty. Working in a different environment, with a group of participants from different social, economic and educational backgrounds completely tested my leadership skills. As a result, I gained new perspectives on how to better address diversity and inclusion, which has helped me to build a more robust and versatile team in my new role.”

BD’s Volunteer Service (VST) Programme

BD’s Volunteer Service (VST) Programme is designed as a way for BD to share its collective knowledge and give associates an opportunity to serve and participate in pursuing the Company Purpose of “Helping all people live healthy lives.” The programme takes associates to some of the most disadvantaged places in the world to participate in activities that are symbolic of both the complexities of delivering healthcare in resource-poor places and of the many ways BD impacts global health.

In 2016, December Martin, Senior Engineer from USA travelled to Peru to complete a CISL experience with the CerviCusco Clinic.

“I am lucky to have been given an opportunity to experience BD’s commitment to advancing the world of health. I always knew we did great things with the work we produce, but when I became involved with the VST programme, I saw first-hand BD’s true dedication to its Purpose in partnering with CerviCusco Clinic, contributing money, product and human resources enabling long-term partnerships and success. I also experienced the way BD cared for us, the volunteers. Though I never felt pressured, I always pushed to work as hard as I could because BD believed in us.”

Salesforce’s Leading for Purpose (formerly Leading Ohana)

The Salesforce Leading for Purpose programme aims to help executives find their personal values so that they can be more authentic leaders. Over the course of a year, Leading for Purpose participants take part in individual reflection, peer coaching, meaningful volunteering, and more.

In 2018, Amy Regan Morehouse, Senior VP at Team Trailhead in Salesforce travelled to Vietnam to work with Teach for Vietnam on a CISL experience designed to help the non-profit to develop a sustainable revenue model.

“I learned that time and listening are the best gifts that you can give to yourself and others. I now understand how invaluable immersing yourself and investing time in the present and the group that you are with is. The assignment was a reminder to put away the laptop and phone and focus on the people. It’s something we should be doing, but in the pace of modern business, we often forget.”

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