Page 23 - Sustainability Report 2022

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Dennis Lundoe Nielsen has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro The Big Climb 2021. Photo: Sebastian Copeland.
four times. Photo: Vincent Gaillard.

The Kilimanjaro Initiative is a longstanding Mount Kilimanjaro four times, and I can with
partner of the PDAid Foundation and Phoenix certainty say that it has never felt more right,
TARGET 4.3 Design Aid. It focuses on building a better because I was constantly thinking of the
world – one climber at a time. Each year, purpose. We did it in the name of justice,”
the organization runs a climbing trip to the said Dennis Lundoe Nielsen, adding:
The Big Climb 2021 summit of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount
and 2022 Kilimanjaro. In October 2021, the trip was “I am glad and excited that the Big Climb
a special event known as “The Big Climb”, will continue as a yearly event, and I am
with a particular focus on the fight against really looking forward to the climb in 2022.”
COVID-19. The majority of the climbers
reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro The 2022 climb will continue to highlight
on 24 October, United Nations Day. To mark the need for a united fight against
the accomplishment, all climbers received COVID-19 while also focusing on four
a certificate, and a bishop from the local other key themes, including sustainable
Lutheran Church gave a speech that mountain tourism, given that 2022 is the
emphasized the importance of standing International Year of Sustainable Mountain
together at this difficult time, which reflected Development. The other themes are gender
the overall purpose of the Big Climb. empowerment, mental health and wellness.
The focal point of the 2022 Big Climb will
The climb in October 2021 raised 10,000 be supporting the local communities that
EURO for the purchase of 2,500 COVID-19 live at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro.
vaccine doses and 40,000 EURO for
sponsorship of 10 East African youth from It is planned that 40 climbers will take the
disenfranchised communities to take part seven-day Rongai route to the summit of
in a ten-day leadership training camp and Mount Kilimanjaro. The climbers come from
climb. The climb also raised visibility through different sectors of society and include youth,
Danish media, United Nations web platforms athletes, celebrities and representatives
and social media accounts of participants. from the private and public sector.

The Big Climb will continue as an annual event, The PDAid Foundation and Phoenix Design
with the next climb planned for August 2022. Aid are proud to support and be part of the
Big Climb, which acknowledges and fosters
“The Big Climb in 2021 was a fantastic and solidarity among the global community
challenging experience. I have climbed for the benefit of low-income countries.