Tag: 3BL

IoT Security Assessment enables device makers to comply with new White House cybersecurity standardsTurnkey automated internet of things testing and validation platform reduces costs while speeding time-to-market

SANTA ROSA, Calif., August 7, 2023 /3BL/ – Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) announces support for the voluntary national standard for consumer internet of things (IoT) cybersecurity labeling program unveiled by the Biden-Harris Administration at the White House this morning. Known as the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, the IoT labeling program outlines a set of cybersecurity standards devised by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

According to anti-virus and computer security service provider Kaspersky, cyberattacks on IoT devices more than doubled year-over-year in the first half of 2021. With the proliferation in the number of IoT devices and cyberattacks, consumers have become increasingly vulnerable to security breaches. Safeguarding consumers can be difficult for IoT device makers as cybersecurity testing is complex and expensive, with many manufacturers lacking security expertise.

“The internet of things is enormous and getting cybersecurity at scale will be crucial,” said Michael Bergman, Vice President, Technology & Standards, Consumer Technology Association. “Automated cybersecurity validation for consumer IoT has huge potential for companies to make their compliance uniform and repeatable.”

Keysight makes it easy and cost-effective for manufacturers to comply with the new White House IoT labeling standard and achieve certification right now with the Keysight IoT Security Assessment. This turnkey cybersecurity certification platform enables automated validation through a point-and-click interface, allowing device makers to quickly bring new IoT products to market without hiring a large team of cybersecurity experts.

Unlike disparate solutions, which require users to assemble and separately manage multiple tools, Keysight’s IoT Security Assessment combines traditional vulnerability assessment with a patented protocol fuzzing engine to provide a comprehensive report on discovered security flaws. Reports include information regarding Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) vulnerabilities such as weak authentication and encryption, expired certificates, Android vulnerabilities and ADB exposures, known CVEs, and embedded flaws in protocol stacks, such as Bluetooth Low Energy attacks like Sweyntooth and Braktooth.

Anne Neuberger, Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies, said: “The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark will give consumers a way to know if the smart devices they’re purchasing are secure, and give companies a label to show their products meet cybersecurity standards. Together with our industry partners, we are making our homes, classrooms, and workplaces safer and less vulnerable to cyberattacks.”

Ram Periakaruppan, Vice President and General Manager, Network Test & Security Solutions, Keysight, said: “The cybersecurity landscape is constantly shifting, with a nonstop stream of new threats and vulnerabilities. By using the Keysight IoT Security Assessment, device designers and manufacturers can mitigate potential security issues. The solution automates the testing and validation process to reduce costs while speeding time-to-market.”

Satish Dhanasekaran, President and Chief Executive Officer, Keysight, said: “Connected devices of all types are reshaping the world around us – from healthcare and connected cars to consumer electronics and industrial controls. As a leader in IoT, 6G, and other new technologies, Keysight strongly supports the new IoT cybersecurity labeling standards introduced by the White House. We are pleased to share our expertise and tools to help enable device makers to quickly meet these critical new standards to safeguard consumers and manufacturers.”

Resources

Keysight IoT Security AssessmentSolution BriefData SheetVideo: IoT Security Assessment Introduction

About Keysight Technologies 

At Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we’re delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product lifecycle. We’re a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com.

View the full LyondellBasell 2022 Sustainability Report.

Our global corporate citizenship program, Advancing Good, demonstrates our commitment to being a responsible, good neighbor. The program focuses on three key areas of impact: Advancing Our Communities, supporting healthy, diverse and dynamic communities; Advancing Our Planet, demonstrating our commitment to being leaders in the efforts to end plastic waste and developing sustainable solutions to protect our planet for future generations; and Advancing Tomorrow’s Workforce, educating, training and preparing tomorrow’s workforce to be our future leaders.

Advancing Our Communities: Promoting healthy lives and well-being for all 

LyondellBasell employees based in the Netherlands raised funds for brain tumor treatment as part of their participation in the Rotterdam Marathon. Six weeks prior to the marathon, their goal took on new meaning when a dear colleague, Jeroen Breen, sadly passed away from brain disease. Employees laced up their shoes and raised over 11,000 EUR to honor his memory. Richard Roudeix, LyondellBasell president, Europe, Asia, Middle East & International Ventures, said, “Participating in the marathon to help advance brain tumor research will be one of the best ways for us to pay tribute to Jeroen. He will be greatly missed.” The funds from The NM Rotterdam Marathon will help support more effective treatments for brain tumors at the Erasmus Medical Center, one of the most reputable institutions in clinical medicine in Europe.

Elsewhere, LyondellBasell employees in Texas got on their bikes to raise funds for lifesaving programs and research to find a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS). In spring 2022, around 65 Houston-area employees, contractors, friends and families cycled the Bike MS: Texas MS 150. LyondellBasell representatives pedaled their way to a company milestone during their 150-mile, two-day journey from Houston to College Station, surpassing more than $2 million raised in the company’s 24th year participating in the ride. Kim Foley, LyondellBasell executive vice president, Intermediates and Derivatives and Refining, also reached the $100,000 fundraising milestone after 15 years of riding with the Team LYB. “After two colleagues shared their family members’ struggles with MS, I knew I needed to join the ride. It’s important for everyone to commit yourself to a cause that speaks to you, set a goal and ask for that help to give back.”

PROVIDING URGENT AND NECESSARY AID IN UKRAINE 

Advancing Good helped support refugees and people displaced by the war in Ukraine. LyondellBasell donated $220,000, with $110,000 going to United States Association for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to provide shelter, emergency relief items, cash assistance, and mental support, and $110,000 going to the International Medical Corps to support their mobile medical units programs. Additionally, employees from 64 LyondellBasell sites around the world made personal contributions to these organizations. LyondellBasell matched these donations 2:1 totaling more than $280,000, bringing the total amount given to the emergency response efforts, from the company, to half a million dollars.

LyondellBasell, Channelview Fire Department in Channelview, Texas, and Memorial Hermann Life Flight in Houston launched a new pre-hospital whole blood program to address severe blood loss in emergency settings. Funded by a $10,000 grant from LyondellBasell and modeled after Memorial Hermann Life Flight’s Pre-hospital Blood Product Administration Program, the Channelview Fire Department now carries one unit of o-positive whole blood for patients that experience any medical or trauma-related condition resulting in uncontrolled hemorrhage.

“Our emergency responders are critical to our communities, and vital within our operations at LyondellBasell,” said Tony Wood, LyondellBasell Channelview Complex site manager. “We are honored to support the whole blood program and grateful for the sacrifices and relentless efforts our first responders make every day; they are true heroes to our community.” Patients can receive the first unit of whole blood from the Channelview Fire Department and in conjunction with Memorial Hermann Life Flight, be transported to the Texas Medical Center via helicopter in preparation for a higher level of care if needed. “It’s been a great privilege to help Channelview Fire Department launch their whole blood program,” said Rudy Cabrera, Chief Flight Nurse of Memorial Hermann Life Flight. “Not only does the program benefit patients tremendously in the pre-hospital setting, but furthers to serve the community and those in need.”

ADVANCING OUR PLANET: PROMOTING A BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

In keeping with the 2022 Earth Day theme, “Invest In Our Planet,” LyondellBasell focused its Earth Day activities on meaningful action. The company’s aim was to help protect the environment and make progress toward our goal of planting and distributing 6,000 trees across the greater Houston area by the end of 2022. In May, together with Trees For Houston and the Astros Foundation, LyondellBasell young professionals employee network (YPEN) members and Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez, gave away 2,500 trees. In October, employees, friends and family from five Houston-area LyondellBasell locations gave away another 2,500 trees in celebration of our annual global day of service, Global Care Day, at the LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy and Technology at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas, and planted an additional 900 trees at Herman Brown Park. These two events along with additional planting projects at San Jacinto College achieved the 6,000 tree goal.

Also in October, 11 LyondellBasell employees in India volunteered their time to clean up an area at Fort Raigad, a historic hill standing 4,400 feet (1,356 meters) above sea level. Thanks to their efforts, 35 kg of bottles, straws, bags, cups, lids, wrappers, plastic cutlery and many other plastic items were cleared along the path.

ADVANCING TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE: MEET CHAKEITHA

LyondellBasell invests in training opportunities for the next generation of workers. For many years, our company has been involved in vocational office education programs (VOE) with local high schools. With years and time invested, we know that many high school students are unaware of the career opportunities our industry provides. The exposure to our company they receive through our VOE program can help shape their future career plans, as well as establish success for themselves.

Entering her senior year in 2000, Chakeitha Thornton enrolled in the VOE program at Booker T. Washington High School in Houston. Understanding at a young age the importance of having a good job in a stable industry motivated Chakeitha to graduate from high school as a VOE student with experience working for LyondellBasell. After enrolling in the C. T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston as an Accounting major, Chakeitha maintained her employment with the company as a VOE student. For the last 22 years, Chakeitha has had a flourishing career in Finance, Accounting, and Treasury at LyondellBasell and is now in the People and Culture department as a DEI manager.

I had amazing mentors early in my career who believed in me and advocated for me. With their help, I am living the career I always envisioned.

ADVANCING GOOD BY THE NUMBERS

$11 MM contributed globally through 1,800 grants

$900,000 matched through 1,500 employee requests

$697,416 value of volunteer hours served5

23,286 hours employees spent volunteering

1,300 pieces of electronic equipment recycled to prevent e-waste

$700,000 value of volunteer hours served5 donated for emergency relief and first responder support

View the full LyondellBasell 2022 Sustainability Report.

For information about the factors that could impact our forward-looking statements, please see page two of the LyondellBasell Sustainability Report.

5 https://nlctb.org/tips/value-of-volunteer-time/

I recently had the honor of joining U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and activist-actor John Leguizamo in a powerful discussion at the Aspen Ideas Festival about how we can best prepare students for the workforce of the future. What struck me during our conversation – and what I found so impactful – was how our respective efforts to support this shared mission are so deeply interconnected.

With 92 percent of jobs available today requiring digital or likely digital skills and nearly one-third of U.S. workers lacking opportunities to build these skills, targeted development programs are essential to closing the skills gap – and digital divide – while spurring critical job placement and increasing diversity and equity in the workforce.

$1B Commitment to reach tens of millions of people.

In Comcast’s efforts to advance digital equity, we consider the economic mobility of every individual and in turn, how it impacts our economic competitiveness as a country. Project UP ­– our $1 billion initiative to reach tens of millions of people with the resources they need to succeed in a technologically advanced world – is an intentional commitment to create opportunities that will change lives and communities for generations to come.

Nothing we do is in isolation. As we consider ways to ensure digital equity, we can’t ignore the many factors and circumstances that impact students’ learning and access to opportunity. Therefore, we must think about solutions holistically.

The Secretary and I were excited to highlight an example of the type of intentional collaboration that’s needed. The Roybal Film and Television Production Magnet program in Los Angeles is equipping historically underrepresented students with the technology and digital skills required for success in media and entertainment. This program serves as a model for how industry-informed education can help create pathways to high-paying careers and drive our economy forward.

As creator, producer, and director of Leguizamo Does America on MSNBC, John Leguizamo shared his invaluable expertise on leveraging the potential of students with skills like those developed at Roybal. More than 75 percent of the crew and production team were Latino or from communities of color and 90 percent of the creative or editorial team were Latino. And to pay it forward, the team promotes future talent, providing career opportunities, mentoring and shadowing to the next generation of creators. We’re proud that the show has been renewed for a second season and while this work is remarkable, it should not be an outlier.

We must continue to collaborate across the public, corporate, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors to meet the challenges of achieving true digital equity. Getting more people connected to the power of the Internet through programs like the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program is stage one. Ensuring that ACP funding is extended, so that every student can be successful, acquire the right skills, and unleash their individual creativity and talent to the fullest potential is stage two.

Secretary Cardona boldly and accurately stated that we must be unapologetically intentional about lifting up every one of our communities. Comcast is proud to join him and John Leguizamo in continuing to partner with incredible leaders working relentlessly to build a future of unlimited possibilities.

Comcast is the founding member of Online For All, an Affordable Connectivity Program awareness and enrollment campaign launched by Civic Nation and the U.S. Department of Education.

Dalila Wilson-Scott is Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Comcast Corporation & President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation.

Hut Life | Pizza Hut Blog

July was National Culinary Arts Month, a time to showcase the amazing people who have helped create the amazing Pizza Hut menu. Although, here at Pizza Hut, LLC,  we know there never needs to be an excuse to celebrate the incredible work the culinary team does year-round.

To learn more about the Culinary Arts and what it takes to be a chef, we sat down with Pizza Hut U.S.’ Innovation Chef, Alex Yeatts, to share what a typical day looks like for him, how he finds inspiration, and advice he’d give to someone who is looking to pursue a career in the Culinary Arts.

What makes someone passionate about the Culinary Arts?
“It stems from a love of food – in all forms – and it grows from there. I love experiencing other cultures through food and I’m too curious to want to recreate things in my kitchen that I have seen or eaten. You would be surprised how much history and culture is encapsulated in a dish or ingredients.”

What does a typical day look like being the Pizza Hut, LLC Innovation Chef?
“Honestly, it varies a lot – which I love. Some days, I’m exploring things completely new on my own. Some days, I’m working with our amazing partners in marketing or the folks on the food innovation team, improving recipes. On other days, I get to work with supplier chefs to bring new and trending flavors to life. I spend a lot of time in our test kitchen, not a desk, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

What is the best part about working on this team?
“The support of all my coworkers! I have worked a lot of difficult jobs in my life, and I have learned the value of people who support you, fight for you, and lift you through difficult or stressful times. They are the ones that can make a tough day feel like the easiest day in the world when they are there for you. I am lucky to have so many people that value me at work.”

What product(s) are you most proud of that helped develop?
“As a part of my role, I create the ‘gold standard’ version of something – which is like the best version of a dish or ingredient. For example, if you were going to describe the best attributes of grilled cheese, what would that be? The gooey, melty cheese? The lightly toasted crust? The golden-brown color? The buttery, toasted bread? Those are the sort of things I help establish for all the things I create. I created the gold standard steak recipe for the cheesesteak pizza and melt. The rest of the team works with the suppliers to replicate it as closely as possible. I also created the recipe for the Pickle Pizza recipe with Nashville Hot Chicken that was launched in NYC for one weekend as a pop-up PR event. That was a lot of fun. Those are just the things that you would have seen so far. The Culinary team is very excited about the Melts platform and how we can leverage trending ingredients and flavors to create recipes customers crave.”

Where do you find inspiration for new menu innovations?
“A lot of it revolves around what is new and trending within the pizza industry, or restaurants in general. But I also dig into things I want to see on the menu myself. The Culinary Team has access to a lot of trends, research for flavors, ingredients, pizza styles, and so on. Social media is also a great tool to learn new things.

How does the team determine whether an idea is worth pursuing a test market or national launch?
“It depends on the product. It’s easier to get things into a test market and then a national launch. National launches take more time because we want to be very thorough and have things as flushed out as we can. The Culinary and Marketing teams may put something in a test market so that we can learn more and get feedback before launching nationally. Not everything will go into a test market before a national launch. It just depends on how confident the Brand and Franchisees are in the product and strategy.”

Is there anything people might be surprised to learn about being on the culinary team?
“You may think as a major quick-service restaurant chain the team puts a lot of limitations or guardrails on us, but we are very open to exploration and putting new things out there. I hope that the culinary team continues to bring new ideas to life so that they can be shared with everyone. Pizza is an amazing platform, and the goal is to have the Pizza Hut® Brand continue to innovate and create delicious pizza that people crave.”

What makes you most passionate about your job?
“Creating food that becomes memories for people. Food is one of the most powerful things we have on earth. It brings people together and fuels memories of your childhood or happy times. Brings communities and cultures together. Some people take that for granted. When I cook (especially the food I hold close to my heart), I put a piece of myself in front of people. It may be from a memory in my life, or an obsession over a specific dish or ingredient. But, no matter what, it always has a story behind it. I just want to share those stories.”

What advice would you give to someone who is starting a career in culinary?
“Learn as much as you can from the people around you. Everyone has had a different experience in life and has learned things along the way – so take advantage of that. And pay attention to the food. If you pay attention to detail, you will learn a lot about the food you are cooking. Finally, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. If you try new things that are a little outside your com

After a four-year hiatus, the Northern Trust Take Your Child to Work Day was back with our Chicago and Tempe offices participating in this year’s event. As an organization, we are proud to continue to support and promote family inclusion.

We were thrilled to see nearly 300 kids aged between 8 and 18 take part in the event, visit our offices and learn more about what life is like at Northern Trust.

We had an action-packed day which included a meet and greet with some of our senior leaders, resume reviews for the older kids, and a talk from our Corporate Philanthropy team on all the impactful work they do.

Aligned to Northern Trust’s focus on giving back to the community, each of the attendees designed cards throughout the day to support Cardz For Kidz.

We also held tours of the Bank Vault and our cybersecurity team delivered an important presentation on online safety for both children and families.

This event reinforces the culture of care and collaboration that we have here at Northern Trust. Discover more about our culture here: https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/about-us/careers/culture-and-people

After a four-year hiatus, the Northern Trust Take Your Child to Work Day was back with our Chicago and Tempe offices participating in this year’s event. As an organization, we are proud to continue to support and promote family inclusion.

We were thrilled to see nearly 300 kids aged between 8 and 18 take part in the event, visit our offices and learn more about what life is like at Northern Trust.

We had an action-packed day which included a meet and greet with some of our senior leaders, resume reviews for the older kids, and a talk from our Corporate Philanthropy team on all the impactful work they do.

Aligned to Northern Trust’s focus on giving back to the community, each of the attendees designed cards throughout the day to support Cardz For Kidz.

We also held tours of the Bank Vault and our cybersecurity team delivered an important presentation on online safety for both children and families.

This event reinforces the culture of care and collaboration that we have here at Northern Trust. Discover more about our culture here: https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/about-us/careers/culture-and-people

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

LAKE ZURICH, Ill., August 7, 2023 /3BL/ — Aflac and the Sunrise Association, delivered My Special Aflac Ducks® to 50 children and families facing childhood cancer today at Sunrise Day Camp–Chicago located at the JCC Chicago Lake County Campus in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Beginning in 2022, Aflac has made My Special Aflac Duck available to Sunrise campers across the United States as part of a national sponsorship with Sunrise Association, whose mission is to bring back the joys of childhood to children with cancer and their siblings in the U.S. and abroad.

My Special Aflac Duck is an award-winning social robot developed by Aflac to help provide comfort, joy and distraction to children with cancer and sickle cell. It is a cornerstone of Aflac’s 28-year commitment to helping children with cancer and blood disorders, which also includes more than $168 million in contributions to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

“Providing My Special Aflac Duck to children at the Sunrise Day Camp in Lake Zurich will help as they navigate the challenges associated with a cancer diagnosis, and that is a gift that everyone at Aflac, our employees, executives and independent sales agents, takes tremendous pride in delivering,” Aflac U.S. President Virgil R. Miller said. “Sunrise Association shares our values and our commitment to families in need and we are incredibly pleased to work with them to deliver happiness and joy to children.”

In addition to making My Special Aflac Ducks available to children participating at Sunrise Association camps across the U.S., Aflac will also continue its commitment to help send 10 children to camp in the coming year through a $60,000 contribution to the organization. Sunrise Association does not charge families for their camp experiences.

“Aflac’s contribution will help us to continue offering our programs to these amazing children and families without ever having to charge a fee. Their My Special Aflac Duck program also aligns perfectly with our mission to bring joy to these children through our camp experiences,” said Sunrise Association’s President and CEO Arnie Preminger. “We could not be more pleased with this new relationship with one of America’s strongest and more purposeful brands.”

Features of My Special Aflac Duck include an interactive mobile app that allows children to virtually bathe and feed their duck, customizable soundscapes that provide soothing visuals and sounds, smart sensors that enable touch and awareness of light and sounds, and a calming heartbeat and breathing vibrations. To help children express themselves, the duck also comes with seven feeling discs that, when tapped individually to a sensor on the duck’s chest, prompt My Special Aflac Duck to emulate each different emotion. Since 2018, Aflac has distributed – free-of-charge – nearly 24,000 My Special Aflac Ducks to children in the United States, Japan and Northern Ireland. Each unit costs the company approximately $200.

Healthcare providers, support organizations and families seeking to order My Special Aflac Duck for their children or patients 3 years or older who have been diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell disease may do so by visiting https://aflacchildhoodcancer.org. All My Special Aflac Ducks are provided and delivered free of charge.

ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED

Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for more than 67 years to millions of policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan. In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products.1 In Japan, Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance policies in force. In 2021, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). In 2022, the company was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for the ninth year, the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for the 17th consecutive year, Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies for the 22nd time and Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn’t cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol. Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at investors.aflac.com under “Sustainability.”

1 LIMRA 2021 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report

ABOUT THE SUNRISE ASSOCIATION

The mission of the Sunrise Association is to bring back the joys of childhood to children with cancer and their siblings worldwide. Sunrise accomplishes this through the creation and oversight of welcoming, inclusive summer day camps, year-round programs and in-hospital recreational activities, all offered free of charge. Learn more at sunriseassociation.org. 

Media contact: Jon Sullivan, 706-763-4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com
Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@aflac.com

Aflac | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

SOURCE Aflac

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

LAKE ZURICH, Ill., August 7, 2023 /3BL/ — Aflac and the Sunrise Association, delivered My Special Aflac Ducks® to 50 children and families facing childhood cancer today at Sunrise Day Camp–Chicago located at the JCC Chicago Lake County Campus in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Beginning in 2022, Aflac has made My Special Aflac Duck available to Sunrise campers across the United States as part of a national sponsorship with Sunrise Association, whose mission is to bring back the joys of childhood to children with cancer and their siblings in the U.S. and abroad.

My Special Aflac Duck is an award-winning social robot developed by Aflac to help provide comfort, joy and distraction to children with cancer and sickle cell. It is a cornerstone of Aflac’s 28-year commitment to helping children with cancer and blood disorders, which also includes more than $168 million in contributions to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

“Providing My Special Aflac Duck to children at the Sunrise Day Camp in Lake Zurich will help as they navigate the challenges associated with a cancer diagnosis, and that is a gift that everyone at Aflac, our employees, executives and independent sales agents, takes tremendous pride in delivering,” Aflac U.S. President Virgil R. Miller said. “Sunrise Association shares our values and our commitment to families in need and we are incredibly pleased to work with them to deliver happiness and joy to children.”

In addition to making My Special Aflac Ducks available to children participating at Sunrise Association camps across the U.S., Aflac will also continue its commitment to help send 10 children to camp in the coming year through a $60,000 contribution to the organization. Sunrise Association does not charge families for their camp experiences.

“Aflac’s contribution will help us to continue offering our programs to these amazing children and families without ever having to charge a fee. Their My Special Aflac Duck program also aligns perfectly with our mission to bring joy to these children through our camp experiences,” said Sunrise Association’s President and CEO Arnie Preminger. “We could not be more pleased with this new relationship with one of America’s strongest and more purposeful brands.”

Features of My Special Aflac Duck include an interactive mobile app that allows children to virtually bathe and feed their duck, customizable soundscapes that provide soothing visuals and sounds, smart sensors that enable touch and awareness of light and sounds, and a calming heartbeat and breathing vibrations. To help children express themselves, the duck also comes with seven feeling discs that, when tapped individually to a sensor on the duck’s chest, prompt My Special Aflac Duck to emulate each different emotion. Since 2018, Aflac has distributed – free-of-charge – nearly 24,000 My Special Aflac Ducks to children in the United States, Japan and Northern Ireland. Each unit costs the company approximately $200.

Healthcare providers, support organizations and families seeking to order My Special Aflac Duck for their children or patients 3 years or older who have been diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell disease may do so by visiting https://aflacchildhoodcancer.org. All My Special Aflac Ducks are provided and delivered free of charge.

ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED

Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for more than 67 years to millions of policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan. In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products.1 In Japan, Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance policies in force. In 2021, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). In 2022, the company was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for the ninth year, the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for the 17th consecutive year, Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies for the 22nd time and Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn’t cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol. Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at investors.aflac.com under “Sustainability.”

1 LIMRA 2021 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report

ABOUT THE SUNRISE ASSOCIATION

The mission of the Sunrise Association is to bring back the joys of childhood to children with cancer and their siblings worldwide. Sunrise accomplishes this through the creation and oversight of welcoming, inclusive summer day camps, year-round programs and in-hospital recreational activities, all offered free of charge. Learn more at sunriseassociation.org. 

Media contact: Jon Sullivan, 706-763-4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com
Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@aflac.com

Aflac | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

SOURCE Aflac

Originally published on TriplePundit

To change the course of the way things are, we must imagine what could be. Some argue that eliminating all beef and lamb production is a solution to enhance environmental sustainability. Others assert that current meat alternatives are bad for health and the environment. So, what if we change not what we eat but how products are produced, focusing on improving and protecting the land, air, water and animal welfare?

New Zealand is proud of its Māori heritage and its commitment to the concept of Te Taiao. This belief calls for a deep respect for and responsibility for the natural world, including the health of the climate, land, water and all living systems. When nature thrives, the belief is that so do our families, communities and businesses.

Farming that respects the land, the animals and the farmers produces better products and coincides with a tangible shift in consumer behavior, as more want to understand where their meat products come from and how they are raised. And more growers are committed to creating a sustainable future for generations to come by farming positively for the planet and people. While some of these farm ideals are new to today’s methods, it’s how New Zealand has farmed for generations.

New Zealand has wide open spaces and acres of verdant green land, which is a perfect formula for producing some of the best agricultural products in the world. We believe that the formula for excellent, great-tasting and nutritious products is deeply rooted in a farming philosophy that respects and cares for our animals that are grass-fed on farmlands. But it is not just the land that creates some of the most sought-after products. A holistic approach enables us to thrive, from sustainable farming to farming communities to animal welfare and environmental protection.

Families of farmers

To understand the dedication to high-quality agricultural products from New Zealand, it is essential to understand the central role that farming plays in our regional and national economy, creating robust and multigenerational farm communities.

There may be many voices regarding how to farm, but most agree that farmers and the communities they create are critical to our world. While many farms in the U.S. are small or family-owned, four companies comprise nearly 70 percent of all U.S. beef production. These companies often practice industrialized meat production, with feedlots focusing on maximum output and less on animal welfare and the environment.

In New Zealand, over 90 percent of farms are family-owned, creating a multigenerational ecosystem that connects people to the land, animals and the environment. These family farms believe in a connected ecosystem central to regenerative agriculture. New Zealand’s beef and lamb farmers use methods that have evolved over generations and are well-adapted to local environmental conditions. These methods conserve soils and waterways for future generations, support rural communities’ social and economic fabric, and serve as a model for farmers worldwide.

Care for animals 

In New Zealand, sheep and beef cattle are overwhelmingly free-range and pasture-fed, unlike conventional grain-fed or feedlot livestock. Thanks to our temperate climate, our animals can roam outside all year round, as nature intended.

New Zealand farmers are committed to raising animals humanely, and given our strict biosecurity and quality control processes, and our geographic isolation, our efforts have resulted in an animal disease-free status recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health. 
 
Our country is among the lowest global users of antibiotics in cattle and sheep production due to our extensive outdoor farming, which reduces the chance of infections spreading, as well as strict regulations that only permit antibiotic use for animal health reasons (under veterinary control). New Zealand farmers do not use hormone growth promotants (HGPs) or antibiotics to enhance production. Animals are only treated with antibiotics when necessary for the animal’s health and well-being, and all antibiotic use is reported.

Environmental care 

Compared to the global average, New Zealand beef farms produce fewer carbon emissions, with the sheep and beef sector aiming to become carbon neutral by 2050 – helping to make New Zealand beef the sustainable choice.

Our farms are some of the most efficient producers in the world. The carbon footprint of sheep and beef production is estimated to be around half the global average, according to an on-farm Life Cycle Analysis using the traditional calculation approach with a warming-impact gas comparison metric called GWP100. An emerging calculation approach, using GWP*, which determines a carbon footprint based on a product’s actual contribution to the warming of the planet over a period of time rather than total emissions, shows that New Zealand sheep have not contributed to any additional warming in the last 20 years and are arguably climate neutral.

New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity is unique; our farmers are kaitiaki — guardians — of the land. Nearly a quarter of New Zealand’s total native vegetation — including woody native vegetation such as mānuka/kānuka and other native plants such as tussock — grows on sheep and beef farms. Our lush country has added 2 million hectares (nearly 5 million acres) to the country’s conservation estate, the largest private sector contribution to biodiversity in New Zealand.

Quality control 

With a growing understanding that the world needs to produce food more sustainably comes increased scrutiny on validating farming methods. First introduced in 2017, the national New Zealand Farm Assurance Program (NZFAP) and the updated New Zealand Farm Assurance Program Plus seek to assure our international consumers that our products are, first and foremost, authentic, with independently verified best-practice animal raising and production assurance standards.

Under this program comes assurances in terms of integrity, origin, traceability, biosecurity, environmental sustainability, and animal health and welfare, all essential ingredients for maximizing product returns and meeting the expectations of our diverse audience. With farmers audited every three years by an independent audit and certification body, the NZFAP delivers to both national and international food safety standards.

Our commitment to a better future 

While there may be healthy disagreement on how to save our valuable environmental resources, we all agree that we need to make changes in every industry. We believe all producers can do better to reduce carbon emissions, prioritize animal welfare, and allow grass-fed herds to roam freely on sustainable farms.

We believe in action versus reaction. The time is now for all producers to commit to making sustainable changes to create a viable future. We can collectively share information, learn from one another and fight for better outcomes. As we share our journey, we look forward to learning more about yours.

This article series is sponsored by Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

Image courtesy of Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Originally published on TriplePundit

To change the course of the way things are, we must imagine what could be. Some argue that eliminating all beef and lamb production is a solution to enhance environmental sustainability. Others assert that current meat alternatives are bad for health and the environment. So, what if we change not what we eat but how products are produced, focusing on improving and protecting the land, air, water and animal welfare?

New Zealand is proud of its Māori heritage and its commitment to the concept of Te Taiao. This belief calls for a deep respect for and responsibility for the natural world, including the health of the climate, land, water and all living systems. When nature thrives, the belief is that so do our families, communities and businesses.

Farming that respects the land, the animals and the farmers produces better products and coincides with a tangible shift in consumer behavior, as more want to understand where their meat products come from and how they are raised. And more growers are committed to creating a sustainable future for generations to come by farming positively for the planet and people. While some of these farm ideals are new to today’s methods, it’s how New Zealand has farmed for generations.

New Zealand has wide open spaces and acres of verdant green land, which is a perfect formula for producing some of the best agricultural products in the world. We believe that the formula for excellent, great-tasting and nutritious products is deeply rooted in a farming philosophy that respects and cares for our animals that are grass-fed on farmlands. But it is not just the land that creates some of the most sought-after products. A holistic approach enables us to thrive, from sustainable farming to farming communities to animal welfare and environmental protection.

Families of farmers

To understand the dedication to high-quality agricultural products from New Zealand, it is essential to understand the central role that farming plays in our regional and national economy, creating robust and multigenerational farm communities.

There may be many voices regarding how to farm, but most agree that farmers and the communities they create are critical to our world. While many farms in the U.S. are small or family-owned, four companies comprise nearly 70 percent of all U.S. beef production. These companies often practice industrialized meat production, with feedlots focusing on maximum output and less on animal welfare and the environment.

In New Zealand, over 90 percent of farms are family-owned, creating a multigenerational ecosystem that connects people to the land, animals and the environment. These family farms believe in a connected ecosystem central to regenerative agriculture. New Zealand’s beef and lamb farmers use methods that have evolved over generations and are well-adapted to local environmental conditions. These methods conserve soils and waterways for future generations, support rural communities’ social and economic fabric, and serve as a model for farmers worldwide.

Care for animals 

In New Zealand, sheep and beef cattle are overwhelmingly free-range and pasture-fed, unlike conventional grain-fed or feedlot livestock. Thanks to our temperate climate, our animals can roam outside all year round, as nature intended.

New Zealand farmers are committed to raising animals humanely, and given our strict biosecurity and quality control processes, and our geographic isolation, our efforts have resulted in an animal disease-free status recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health. 
 
Our country is among the lowest global users of antibiotics in cattle and sheep production due to our extensive outdoor farming, which reduces the chance of infections spreading, as well as strict regulations that only permit antibiotic use for animal health reasons (under veterinary control). New Zealand farmers do not use hormone growth promotants (HGPs) or antibiotics to enhance production. Animals are only treated with antibiotics when necessary for the animal’s health and well-being, and all antibiotic use is reported.

Environmental care 

Compared to the global average, New Zealand beef farms produce fewer carbon emissions, with the sheep and beef sector aiming to become carbon neutral by 2050 – helping to make New Zealand beef the sustainable choice.

Our farms are some of the most efficient producers in the world. The carbon footprint of sheep and beef production is estimated to be around half the global average, according to an on-farm Life Cycle Analysis using the traditional calculation approach with a warming-impact gas comparison metric called GWP100. An emerging calculation approach, using GWP*, which determines a carbon footprint based on a product’s actual contribution to the warming of the planet over a period of time rather than total emissions, shows that New Zealand sheep have not contributed to any additional warming in the last 20 years and are arguably climate neutral.

New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity is unique; our farmers are kaitiaki — guardians — of the land. Nearly a quarter of New Zealand’s total native vegetation — including woody native vegetation such as mānuka/kānuka and other native plants such as tussock — grows on sheep and beef farms. Our lush country has added 2 million hectares (nearly 5 million acres) to the country’s conservation estate, the largest private sector contribution to biodiversity in New Zealand.

Quality control 

With a growing understanding that the world needs to produce food more sustainably comes increased scrutiny on validating farming methods. First introduced in 2017, the national New Zealand Farm Assurance Program (NZFAP) and the updated New Zealand Farm Assurance Program Plus seek to assure our international consumers that our products are, first and foremost, authentic, with independently verified best-practice animal raising and production assurance standards.

Under this program comes assurances in terms of integrity, origin, traceability, biosecurity, environmental sustainability, and animal health and welfare, all essential ingredients for maximizing product returns and meeting the expectations of our diverse audience. With farmers audited every three years by an independent audit and certification body, the NZFAP delivers to both national and international food safety standards.

Our commitment to a better future 

While there may be healthy disagreement on how to save our valuable environmental resources, we all agree that we need to make changes in every industry. We believe all producers can do better to reduce carbon emissions, prioritize animal welfare, and allow grass-fed herds to roam freely on sustainable farms.

We believe in action versus reaction. The time is now for all producers to commit to making sustainable changes to create a viable future. We can collectively share information, learn from one another and fight for better outcomes. As we share our journey, we look forward to learning more about yours.

This article series is sponsored by Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

Image courtesy of Beef + Lamb New Zealand