Today, I am in Paris at Société Générale. Here, it is the Citizen Commitment Week and the word “commitment” is on everyone’s lips. So, is there any difference between solidarity in France and Brazil?

I don`t think there is any difference! Immigrants, disadvantaged young people, poverty: society has forgotten how to be a good citizen. In the race to get on we have forgotten the most important thing: being human. It is easy to judge people, but it would be much more useful to share experiences and knowledge. If you can teach something to somebody, then do so!

In Brazil, Casa do Zezinho is situated in the “Triangle of Death”. And it is to this favela of Sao Paulo that, every month, François Dossa (Head of Société Générale in Brazil) makes his way. Why? Because he wants to talk to the children and teenagers in our association, share his experience and give them hope for the future. In doing so, he has successfully passed on his philosophy to the entire company and now other colleagues are following suit and coming to help us. This is how we are helping children to escape from a world of violence, drugs and poverty.

Why am I at Société Générale’s headquarters in Paris today? To share my knowledge: not only on big global problems but also on small, simple actions that can make a world of difference. An example? Spend five minutes with your colleague in the next office: talk, get to know them better and may be even help them. And you, what are doing for others?