Press Releases

Budapest, September 28, 2009 16:15

Sustainability Day 2 organized by Magyar Telekom and its offer brands T-Home, T-Mobile and T-Systems with the motto "Taking Responsibility=Positive Energy" has been awarded the distinguished title of Green Festival by the Ministry of Environment and Water Management. The award certificate was presented at the day's opening ceremony by Secretary of State of the Ministry Dr. István Kling to Magyar Telekom's Chairman-CEO Christopher Mattheisen.

The programs of the Sustainability Day, held this year for the second time after 2008, focused on responsibility and a sustainable way of life by presenting the importance and the practical realization of harmonizing the interests of the society, the economy and sustainable growth, while also promoting "green" objectives.

The event was awarded the Green Festival title thanks to fulfilling both the environmental objectives specified in the call for applications and the freely chosen criteria. The award certificate was presented by Secretary of State of the Ministry of Environment and Water Management Dr. István Kling to Magyar Telekom's Chairman-CEO Christopher Mattheisen at the day's opening ceremony.

On this occasion, Christopher Mattheisen said: "As one of Hungary's largest companies we carry special responsibility for our environment and the society in which we live. We think it important to focus on environmental aspects in our activities and services too, and to show a positive example of how we can operate even more efficiently in the spirit of sustainable development."

At the event the organizers also paid attention to raising awareness of green solutions, of non-car travel options and possibilities for carbon-dioxide reduction. The visitors could eat their lunch from bio-degradable plates and also drink their organic juices from recyclable mugs. Selective waste collection was also a highlight of the event. Those who came by bike could store their bikes in safe storage facilities. The thematic programs were also available via web streaming, which helped overcome distances. Online channels were used for registration and to make publicity for the Sustainability Day, as well as a few posters made of recycled paper. The organizers also requested the exhibitors to avoid the use of flyers. The proceeds from the after party will be used, through a foundation, to plant trees.

At Magyar Telekom's Headquarters which housed the thematic programs, WWF Sweden consultant Dennis Pamlin gave the keynote speech on a sustainable future. These events were attended, among others, by representatives of Amnesty International Hungary, Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, Energy Club, Transparency International, as well as Delta TV program presenter Sándor Fiar, Origo Chief Editor Balázs Weyer, Creative Director of Republic Advertising Gábor Fabricius and Vice Chancellor of Corvinus University Dr. Sándor Kerekes. During the day visitors could test a real videoconference service called Telepresence with Magyar Telekom's Chief Officer and head of T-Systems István Papp, national team swimmer László Cseh and sports reporter Dávid Szántó. They could also test drive vehicles with alternative power, and the organizers exhibited a composter, a wind power generator, a solar collector and creative objects made of selective waste.

The awards of the sustainability competition held in conjunction with the event were presented at the after party following the thematic events of Sustainability Day 2. The category winners were as follows:
Music -Belmondo, Márti Muzsnyai, Earnie&Borsa
Film -László Braun, Balázs Németh and Dániel Padányi, Q unlimited motion group, Dániel Bányay
Picture/design - Zita Marton, Zoltán Nemes, Csaba Elter
Film live! (video made on the scene of the event) - György Abelovszky
To access the award-winning works and more details about Sustainability Day 2, visit http://www.fenntarthatonap.hu.

After the awards ceremony Sustainability Day 2 continued with an after party featuring, among others, the Maszkura és a Tücsökraj and Zuboly bands.

Since as early as the 1990s Magyar Telekom and its subsidiaries have been devoting special attention to social and environmental problems and the company has had a sustainability strategy since 2005.
The realization of the priorities of sustainability and the three-fold environment-society-economy relationship, and strengthening them with positive activities, are long-term strategy principles for Magyar Telekom.