Since our foundation in 1933, Steensen Varming has shown a commitment to creating ‘positive environments’, and continuously improving our practices to the benefit of the local and global environment and communities. We consider environmental and social issues to be essential to a responsible business. Through our commitment to the UNSDG’s and B Corp certification we have broadened our approach and are supporting ethical businesses and social initiatives within our local communities in each of our regions.
Having had a long history in supporting emerging artists, one of our initiatives in Australia is supporting indigenous businesses and young indigenous artists:
The work of emerging artist Anna Dowling, a descendant of the Badimia people of the Yamatji region in Western Australia, reflects the beauty, diversity and value of Aboriginal culture – Gallery – Anna Dowling
Her work “Life Water” centres on the traditional Aboriginal symbol for river, and focusses on the need for protecting and preserving our environmental and water systems and respecting the strong traditional, cultural connections that Aboriginal people have to these locations. This reflects our own eco-centric principles and the global challenge to comprehensively address climate change and sustainability as one of the most important issues of our time.
The work echoes our ethos but also marks the beginning of our own journey of reconciliation:
We believe the aboriginal culture to be one of the few human cultures to understand and live by sustainable practices that balance their needs with those of nature, never over-exploiting the environment to their own gain. To strengthen these connections, build relationships, respect and trust, Steensen Varming is creating a Reconciliation Action Plan which we will embark on in 2022.
The choice of art from an emerging artist of aboriginal decent with a depiction of an important environmental issue seemed a natural choice as a reflection of our own purpose.
At the turn of the year, a time where we think about and appreciate our collaborators and friends, posting a handwritten card feels more personal than sending an e-card. The card making process involved ethical and sustainable business Kailow in Denmark and Australian aboriginal business Ochre Dawn in Australia, ensuring that the cards, which are made of recycled paper with carbon emissions offset, have a wider benefit.
We look forward to sharing further stories from other regions soon.
