There are currently nine of them in Milan and three in Turin. We’re talking about the “sustainable development ambassadors”, SGSS Italy staff that I define as people who share the same passion to be citizens of the world, and who feel concerned by everything that is related to sustainable development. They meet during their free time to organise their actions and put them to the communication department. I just support them, because I feel that they should remain independent. I meet them twice a year to listen to their ideas and to see how those ideas can be implemented.

Given that the simplest ideas are often the best, in 2007 the ambassadors launched a programme, following the principle of an internal competition, aiming to reduce paper use. They also suggested, in order to limit the use of air conditioning, that staff wear light clothes in summer and warmer clothes in winter. In 2008, there was an exhibition and a fortnight of conferences on the theme of sustainable development. Simple habits, a certain attitude and a state of mind that have become part of the mindset of SGSS Italy’s 550 staff.

The major earthquake that shook the Abruzzo region of Italy on April 6 obviously didn’t leave this think-tank unmoved. “They wanted to provide active assistance to the people of L’Aquila, and particularly to children”, explains Giovanna. That’s why, thanks to their support, the Silvestro dell’Aquila school will soon benefit from a new library. It required a lot of imagination to raise the necessary funds from their colleagues: a book fair, a food sale, a play and a ski race between staff from various foreign banks in Italy. 10,000 euros have already been raised, and the bank will double this sum at the end of the operation. At Christmas, this gift will be handed over to the school’s headmaster.