Promoting Human Rights in Colombia

To increase awareness and respect for human rights in the Colombian province of Arauca, where Oxy operates the Caño Limón and Caricare oilfields, Oxy-supported foundation El Alcaraván has formed a partnership with Colombia’s National Administrative Department for Economic Solidarity (DANSOCIAL). The result is a new program that directly engages community members in promoting a culture of peace for Arauca.

In the 2010 pilot project, human rights training was provided to 65 area leaders — members of local community action councils known as Juntas de Acción Comunal — in La Pesquera and Panamá de Arauca. The training focused on three main topics proposed by El Alcaraván: awareness and promotion of human rights; building citizenship; and creating and strengthening civic skills. The three training modules were presented by a multidisciplinary team of economists, psychologists, social workers, lawyers and other professionals. More than a training exercise, the program featured case studies, group exercises and active discussions about local and national issues directly affecting the participants. Among the most effective components was the open dialogue, which promoted a deeper understanding of the legal mechanisms and resources available to protect human rights in Arauca. The project highlighted the importance of civil participation as a means of exercising and ensuring respect for human rights.

The Mukhaizna Clinic: Vital Regional Resource

The Mukhaizna Clinic is one of the primary means by which Occidental of Oman demonstrates its commitment to the well-being and social welfare of its workforce, neighboring communities and the nation of Oman.

Oxy Oman opened the clinic on September 1, 2005, as a healthcare facility for our personnel working at the nearby Mukhaizna Field. Today, in addition to Oxy employees, contractors and their families, the Mukhaizna Clinic offers its full complement of services and care to local residents.

With the nearest government clinic approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) away, area residents are taking advantage of the Mukhaizna Clinic’s proximity and wide range of services. The number of community patients multiplied almost 10-fold between 2005 and 2010. In total, nearly 27,000 people — including 1,865 from surrounding communities — have received care since the clinic opened.

After passing through the welcoming entrance, patients find a waiting room, a doctor’s office, an emergency room and an additional treatment room. The clinic is equipped to handle everything from routine doctor visits to emergency operations.

Thriving production at the Mukhaizna Field and area population growth make our Mukhaizna Clinic a vital regional resource — not only for providing urgent medical care, but also in promoting safety and wellness in the workplace and the broader community.

OxyChem Employees Lend "Helping Hands"

Employees at OxyChem's Dallas Tower joined forces in 2009 to support Mosaic House, a shelter for immigrant women and children who have survived domestic violence or human trafficking. Offering an array of services such as legal assistance, emergency and transitional housing, interpretation and translation, job training, and assistance with medical care and counseling, Mosaic House is a program of the nonprofit community-based organization Mosaic Family Services. OxyChem employees adopted a "Helping Hands" theme to inspire their efforts on behalf of Mosaic House. They donated clothing, school supplies, toys, toiletries and other items needed by residents of the apartment building's eight units, each of which can house two families or four single women. In addition, OxyChem volunteers painted murals on the playroom walls, built storage shelves and made the outdoor play area safer and cleaner.

Playground Created as Part of Oxy Colombia Program

Children enjoy a playground created as part of Convivencia Ciudadana, an Oxy Colombia program that directly engages employees and contractors in assisting communities near the company's operations in Llanos Norte. In 2009, the program benefited more than 2,000 people in 30 neighborhoods.

Social Research to Broaden Knowledge of Family Life

In Abu Dhabi, Oxy is a strong supporter of the Emirates Foundation for Philanthropy, which develops community-based initiatives to support and sustain social advancements benefiting the people of the United Arab Emirates. Oxy's Executive Chairman, Dr. Ray R. Irani, serves on the Foundation's Board of Trustees. In 2009, Oxy provided key support for academic research sponsored by the Emirates Foundation to increase the amount of empirical information on Emirati families. By addressing issues that influence the welfare of the whole family – such as parenting, the role of non-family members as caregivers, relationships between youths and their parents, family values, marriage and divorce, and parentless children – researchers hope to glean a better understanding of the issues faced by families, including how they work together and with the rest of the community to overcome obstacles. The results are expected to be useful to policy planners, decision makers and others engaged in addressing current and future social challenges. Each funded project will recruit Emirati interns or research assistants, to provide them with training and experience in the research enterprise and build Emirati capacity in social science research.

Oxy Colombia's ACE Performance

Oxy was one of 11 finalists - out of more than 60 companies nominated by U.S. ambassadors around the world - for the U.S. Secretary of State's prestigious 2008 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE). The nomination recognized Oxy's successful social responsibility initiatives in Colombia, including community education programs, environmental stewardship and commitment to human rights. These efforts have strengthened trust and understanding with local stakeholders, creating a sustainable partnership that benefits both Colombia and Oxy. U.S. Ambassador to Colombia William R. Brownfield nominated Oxy after visiting the Caño Limón field and Oxy-supported El Alcaraván foundation. The State Department's ACE program recognizes the vital role played by American businesses in advancing good corporate citizenship and democratic principles abroad.

Cultural Awareness in Qatar

Oxy Qatar, where people from diverse cultural backgrounds work side by side, has implemented several programs to familiarize Western employees with Qatari life and traditions. In 2008, Oxy hosted a traditional Sohour dinner for employees and their families during the Ramadan holy month, an Oxy Gala Dinner for employees and guests, and a Family Fun Day. Oxy also presented a Cultural Awareness Training Program for employees and their families who are new to Qatar; its cross-cultural dialogue attracted longstanding employees as well.