Social responsibility is nothing new at Hess Corporation. Service to the public and high standards of business ethics have long been key elements of our business philosophy. At the same time, we recognize that there are increasing worldwide expectations and challenges now facing companies, communities and other stakeholders.

Our Social Responsibility Policy reaffirms our long-standing commitments and addresses our intent to act responsibly towards human rights, labor, and societal issues wherever we operate.

Our support for community programs and partnerships includes social initiatives in the Americas, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Company sponsored activities range from helping victims of disasters, providing humanitarian relief, supporting education and improving community infrastructure including roads, schools and hospitals.

We have supported numerous community programs and charities with a focus on education and health:

• Malaria prevention in Equatorial Guinea: Malaria continues to be a major health issue in West Africa. In Equatorial Guinea we worked with the Lucha Contra el Paludismo (Fight Against Malaria) organization to distribute mosquito nets to the general population in the city of Bata. We recognize that this is only a temporary solution and are working with the local communities and government on additional malaria-prevention outreach programs.
• Access to books in Equatorial Guinea: Over 7,000 children in Bata now have access to a library funded by Hess in 2001. One of the challenges was extending library hours after dark to improve the children's access to books. We helped solve this problem by providing solar-charged batteries, which act as an energy source for lighting.
• Building schools in St. Lucia: In 1980, a fund was established to rebuild schools in St. Lucia after Hurricane Allen devastated the island's infrastructure. After initial repairs were made to the local schools, the fund was used for longer-term school rebuilding and construction needs. Over the next 20 years, 75 schools were repaired or rebuilt with these funds and four new schools were constructed. Total enrollment at these schools is over 30,000 children.
• Technical education: At our Port Reading, NJ refining facility, we sponsored a refinery education presentation and tour with a theme of science, math and engineering. The program has included seventh grade girls from local schools participating in a New Jersey Institute of Technology summer program.
• Primary education: In the United Kingdom, through Grounds for Learning, Hess has funded almost 50 awards to schools in Scotland for school facility improvements.
• Charity fundraising: Hess employees actively participate in the March of Dimes, an organization that raises money to fund research, education, and public awareness programs to reduce premature birth and to develop medical advances that support premature babies. Our employees also contribute generously to other charities, and to numerous clothing, food, toy, and blood drives throughout the year.
• Teacher fellowships in the U.K.: Partnering with Earthwatch in the U.K., Hess created 30 fellowships to enable secondary school teachers to take part in environmental research projects and take their learning back into their class rooms and local communities.
• Burn-injury Research: We have provided support over a number of years for the Restoration and Appearance and Function Trust (RAFT) in the U.K. for research and education in the fields of reconstructive plastic surgery and burn injury treatment.
• School and hospital construction in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands: The HOVENSA L.L.C. refinery has long been involved in helping to build schools and hospitals in St. Croix, and has been involved in numerous community projects ranging from support for local cultural events to sponsoring school-to-work students, tutoring programs, and providing scholarships to dozens of local high school students.
• Disaster relief assistance: Hess provided disaster relief and a $5 million contribution to the Twin Towers Fund to help the families of police, firefighters and other rescue workers in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. We also made substantial contributions to the Houston flood relief effort in 2001, towards flood relief in Algeria and Jakarta, and to earthquake relief in Colombia.