10 December 2008 marked the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on which the first two principles of the Global Compact are based. 
Groupe SEB used this occasion to reaffirm its commitment towards the Global Compact by signing a declaration published in the Financial Times (see below) recalling the importance of respect and support for human rights within our sphere of influence.

This approach stands alongside the main actions already undertaken by the Group to support the Global Compact initiative: self-assessments on respect for Human Rights, communication on the progress, etc.

Within the framework of its Foundation, and in its 150th year, Groupe SEB extended an invitation to all its staff to join with it in the fight against exclusion. So, during the last two months, almost 7,000 employees took part in a project (led by UNESCO) to provide education for street children in Burundi by posting their photo with a solidarity message for the children on a dedicated website.
Groupe SEB has committed itself to give € 2 per posted photo. Groupe SEB Foundation – Corporate Foundation made up the sum to achieve a total of 30,000 euros. This money will provide schooling for 2,000 Burundi street children.

As a signatory of the Global Compact, Groupe SEB uses its new logo (hereafter) and is increasingly involved in the process: in addition to its "communication on progress", he starts to use the HRCA Quick Check (Human Rights Compliance Assessment) on its sites. This questionnaire allows assessing the compliance of Human Rights in each subsidiary. Thus, the Groupe ensures that human rights are taken into account locally (in accordance with the principles of the Global Compact).

On 27 June 2007, Colombian Council of Security awarded Groupe SEB Colombia the distinction "Cross of Emerald" (1st rank) for its program in Safety, Security and Environment.
Its exemplary action in this field also allowed it to win the competition of the best preventive plan in front of occupational hazards (diseases and accidents) organized by the insurance company " Liberty " in August.

As a member of the Global Compact, Groupe SEB attended the “Leaders Summit” which took place on 5-6 July 2007 in Geneva. Co-chaired by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the summit gathered around 1,000 world leaders who discussed responsible corporate practices.
Groupe SEB also submitted a “communication on progress” to report its good practices in relation with the Global Compact’s 10 principles. This year, it is about the area of human resources: real support for employees during the industrial reorganization and respect for social rules by our partners.

Groupe SEB has just created its Corporate Foundation, whose first meeting of the Board of Directors was held on 6 June. The vocation of Groupe SEB Foundation / Corporate Foundation is to combat social exclusion, with the emphasis on three fields of activity: helping people to access the job market, helping to integrate people into society by improving their living conditions and via education and training.
This initiative marks a new step in the citizen approach of the Group who wants to strengthen its partnerships with symbolic associations and to finance new more consequent projects.