In Africa, protecting the environment is an issue that is taking an increasingly crucial place in inhabitants’ daily lives. Like all of my fellow countrymen and countrywomen, I can testify to this: My country is directly concerned by this issue, notably because of the progression of the Northern desert and the Ocean desert along the western coastline. I can see the changes every year, and it affects me personally. Our management team is in symbiosis with the SG Group’s objectives, and didn’t hesitate to give a bit of a helping hand in this respect.

SGBS thus financially supported the publication of two books by Moumar Guèye, a fisheries and wildlife engineer who is reputed in Senegal and beyond for his expertise on environmental protection issues. The first, “L’Arbre et la Vie” (Trees and Life), was published in 2008, whilst the second, “L’Eau, un Trésor à Protéger” (Water: a Treasure to Protect), is about to be published. These two books remind people of the necessity to protect trees and, even more so, water as sources of life and major factors when it comes to the development of humanity and peace. They have been adapted so that they can be read on two levels, one for children and one for adults. We felt that they could give intellectual direction to many people, because there is no point in carrying out actions if you don’t know why you’re doing it.

We thus bought a thousand copies of the first book, which we will distribute to families of its 700 staff and to clients during a book-signing session with the author at Christmas. A similar operation is being planned for when the second book comes out. In the future, we will probably implement a more practical action, because we really want to become involved in sustainable development in a big way. And thus to continue, by protecting nature’s treasures, to protect life.