The call to ensure and promote respect for the Human Rights of all

Today marks the 72nd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A date that reminds us that guaranteeing human dignity is not optional, but an inalienable right. As inhabitants of a great common home, it is the task of all of us to ensure that the rights of each and every one are respected.

At the heart of The Declaration is promoting social progress and improving the standard of living of all people as a path to equity, justice and human dignity. The right to work plays an important role in this. Access to decent work will allow the person, and their family, to have the economic means for a nutritious diet, adequate housing and everything necessary to enjoy well-being and health. The Covid-19 crisis has had a strong impact on the economy of many households worldwide, widening inequality gaps. Therefore, working to contribute to the recovery of our societies on the basis of human rights is essential.

As an agribusiness we have the opportunity to generate thousands of jobs in rural areas and we are aware of the contribution that this entails for the development of their communities. Therefore, at Reybanpac we assume with great responsibility to protect and preserve each of these jobs, offering a safe and satisfactory work environment, fair remuneration and equal opportunities for growth, regardless of gender, age or other condition. At Reybanpac, each employee is recognized for their capabilities and contribution to the work team. Likewise, we care about providing them with the necessary tools for their professional and human growth. Our team is our family, whom we care for and value greatly.

Taking action towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is also part of the mission. There is no sustainable development without human rights and vice versa. For this reason, Reybanpac will continue in 2021 with its Strategic Plan to advance with firm steps in its precision agriculture projects, reduction of the carbon footprint and circular economy.

Another area of human rights in which Reybanpac has a special interest is education. A good future is based on a quality education for our children and adolescents. Since the creation of the Wong Foundation, 27 years ago, Reybanpac and the other companies of Favorita Fruit Co. group, have invested millions of dollars in the Foundation's Educational Centers that annually serve hundreds of children in the rural areas surrounding our operations. Focused on integral development, in addition to academic teaching, our schools promote values, critical thinking, community leadership and environmental awareness.
In 2020, government measures taken to minimize the risk of contagion from COVID-19 represented a great challenge for education, especially for the most vulnerable groups due to their limited access to technological resources. Despite this, with the admirable commitment of the Foundation's teachers and the valuable support of parents, it has been possible to face the current circumstances to guarantee the right to education of our 659 students.

On this commemorative date, we invite you to actively participate in the promotion of Human Rights and to inspire others with your actions and testimony. Since "everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible" - Article 29, UDHR. Governments, corporations, small businesses, NGOs, men and women in general, we are all called and responsible for ensuring that everyone's rights are fulfilled. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, first Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights: “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home -- so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. [...] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."