The CMA CGM Corporate Foundation rewards today the association "Arts et Développement"

On the eve of the launch of the ambitious project Marseille-Provence 2013 – European Capital of Culture, the President of the CMA CGM Corporate Foundation, Mrs Naïla Saadé, will grant today, December 17th 2012, its annual prize to the Marseilles-based association “Arts et Développement”.

Granted each year to an organization for its humanitarian and social commitment towards underprivileged children, the CMA CGM Corporate Foundation Prize rewards the outstanding work of the ‘Arts et Développement” association, which has been organizing for 23 years artistic workshops for underprivileged children in public spaces in the various neighborhoods of Marseilles.

“Offering children the opportunity to create something artisticly , is to offer them a new perspective on their surroundings and a chance to build their future differently”, explains the President of the CMA CGM Corporate Foundation, Naïla Saadé.

More than 30 art workshops are currently taking place in different areas of Marseille, but also in Paris and in other cities in the departments of Les Bouches-du-Rhône, Le Var, Le Vaucluse, La Moselle, La Savoie reaching out to 6000 children every year. Led by artists, these street workshops allow children to develop their creativity and help restore a social link in these difficult areas.

“Your award is a prestigious distinction that we receive as a token of trust for the work we accomplish with the children from Marseilles’ difficult neighborhoods. We will continue to help children find happiness and pride by developing their creativity”, comments Patrice Boulan, President of the association Arts et Développement.

The organization will receive a grant of €10,000 as an encouragement in the realization of its projects.

Concurrently, the CMA CGM Foundation will award on December 27th, 2012 in Beirut the 2012 Prize for Lebanon to the Association “pour le Foyer de l’Enfant Libanais” (AFEL), which has for the past 36 years - provided assistance to children, victims of abuse or social inequality as well as those with scholastic difficulties.