Being a good corporate citizen is an integral part of Manulife Financial's overall vision of being the most professional life insurance company in the world, according to its spokesperson.

``We apply to our citizenship activities the same high standards of leadership and innovation that we apply to our business practices. For us, that means concentrating on an area of emerging need with the aim of making a positive difference for the future. Our citizenship programme is fulfilled through donations, sponsorships and support of volunteer activities of our employees and distribution partners,'' explains the spokesperson.

The financial commitment of Manulife to philanthropic causes has more than tripled over the past few years. And the company looks forward to increasing that number as the business grows. The charity of Manulife goes beyond Canada. Itreaches out to the US and parts of Asia, too, with its citizenship dollars and employee volunteerism non-profit organisations. ``Manulife Financial's citizenship programme reflects the varied cultures and needs of the territories in which we operate.''

Adds the spokesperson: ``With the passion of our employees and distribution partners and a strategic investment of our citizenship dollars, we look forward to making a meaningful difference in the many countries where we do business.''

Here's a list of activities that Manulife has been involved with this year:

October 28: Canada's ageing specialist says volunteering is ``a secret ingredient'' for healthy ageing.
September 28: Manulife Financial makes a donation to assist Taiwanese relief efforts.
August 26: Zhong Hong Life donates RMB 500,000 to two development projects in China.
August 25 : Manulife Financial donates $1 million for chair in financial services.
June 23: St Francis House announces the new`Manulife Financial Complete Breakfast Programme'.
April 27: Manulife Roundtable of Health and Ageing Experts determine priorities for action in Canada.
April 21: New Internet tool to aid volunteerism.
March 12: Manulife Financial celebrates `Looking Forward to the Second Half of Life'.
January 13: Manulife sets up its charitable foundation.

Compiled from Manulife's Website, www.manulife.com