Video Contests, Film Festivals, and Awards

(London, United Kingdom) November 09, 2011: Global accounting network Russell Bedford International has published a short film outlining the pro bono activities of some of its member firms around the world.

The film � titled Helping to Make a Difference � highlights, in particular, the support provided to four charitable foundations: Un Techo Para Colombia (�A Roof for Colombia�), working in some of Bogot�s most deprived areas, building accommodation and developing social support programmes; the Friends of Raveh Ravid Fund, which helps students from Israel�s peripheral areas to meet the costs of their college education � provided they, in turn, engage in a programme of social or voluntary work; Sense International, a charity working with deafblind people in the developing world; and Deswos, an international organisation with projects in social housing and settlement planning.

Dr Klaus-Peter Hillebrand, chairman of Berlin member firm DOMUS AG, commented: �We are aware that globalisation brings benefits to some, but not all. The firm is using its influence to help those less fortunate. Our clients are from the real estate sector and the social housing sector. We support Deswos, an international charity organisation in social housing and settlement planning, regularly organising fundraising events.�

Commenting on the film, Pankaj Shah, a partner in London member firm Lubbock Fine, stressed the importance of professional advisors for charitable organisations, as well as the importance of trustees. �Our pro bono work is mainly for very small charities who cannot afford professional accountants to help them with their accounting. A lot of these have been referred to us by existing clients. In many cases charities do need people to run the charities as trustees, and in my view that is more important than the money aspect. If you get good trustees on board then the fund raising becomes a lot easier.� This is a position endorsed by Russell Bedford Colombia partner Jos� Luis Salgado, explaining his firm�s support for Un Techo Para Colombia: �We basically work as auditors for the foundation. We don�t charge any fees for this work. The foundation improves the quality of life for poor families, constructing small houses for people in complete poverty and trying to implement social programmes.�

In Israel, member firm Raveh Ravid & Co. is giving its scholarship students invaluable experience. As Noa, a student in occupational therapy at Haifa University explains:

�Raveh Ravid teach us how to choose one project, and raise money for that project � to show our leadership skills, to start it from zero.� A view echoed by partner Itzhak Ravid: �The idea is to see that they are becoming new leaders and can make a change in the community.�