Ordina opens Summer Bar on roof terrace in Mechelen

(Press release, 7 July 2011)

Mechelen, 8 July 2011 – This summer, IT company Ordina is opening its doors to professionals. The organisation of each of the four Summer Bars is in the theme of a specific part of the world and is taking place in cooperation with non-profit organisations that are striving to improve the living conditions of the local population. Ordina supports every charity with a financial donation. These Summer Bars will be held on the roof terrace of Ordina in Mechelen, adjacent to the E19.

Today, Ordina is launching the programme of a series of 4 themed summer bars in July and August. Every Summer Bar focuses on a specific part of the world and a charity that is working to improve the living conditions of the population there. Influential figures from the broad cultural, economic and – naturally – IT sector will simultaneously conduct an open debate in the speaker’s corner. Adapted workshops and delicacies from the local cuisine connect the visitors with the destination of that evening. A donation from Ordina is intended to the partner to achieve its humanitarian aims.

Connectivate
Last week, Ordina presented its new strategic plan for the period up to 2014. The core message in this is ‘connectivate’: connection as the key to growth and change. “However, this is more than just an internal company power term. Ordina also sees a social role for itself as the party that uses connection to prompt other organisations to take action,” adds CEO Franky Van Damme. “During the Summer Bar we bring people together around a single well chosen theme in order to support a charity. Moreover, this is an exceptionally informal way for potential employees to get to know the company and the people behind Ordina.”

150 employees
Ordina, with its head office in Mechelen, intends to use the Summer Bars to connect with professionals with different backgrounds and experiences. The IT Company is searching for 150 extra employees. “We are searching for more than just IT specialists”, clarifies Van Damme. “We also want to attract people with experience in business, sector knowledge and commercial talents.”

4 continents
Thursday 14 July already has a European flavour and is being organised in cooperation with vzw Bouworde. Vzw Bouworde wants to mobilise young people from here for improvement projects around the world.  Two weeks later, on 28 July, Africa is the focus. In Dakar, the capital of Senegal, the vzw 1night4dakar is active in healthcare, education, the environment and business. On 11 August, Brazil will be the focus. Vzw Kinderenvanrio (children of Rio) offers financial and material support to children and their families in the favelas.  India and Asia will finish the series of four on 25 August. The Norbertine monks want to use education and legal aid to give the impoverished people independence and to protect street children against violence and exploitation.