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Apple Asks Its Employees About How to Make the World A Better Place

By
Don Reisinger
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By
Don Reisinger
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June 3, 2016, 2:18 PM ET
India Apple
Cook, center, interacts with Anant Ambani, left, son of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, outside Siddhivinayak Hindu Temple in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Apple India head Sanjay Kaul is on right. Apple will set up an app design and development center in southern India, the company announced Wednesday, shortly after company chief Tim Cook arrived in the country on his first visit. (Press Trust of India via AP)Press Trust of India via AP

Apple is asking its employees what it should do to help people around the world, according to a new report.

Apple (AAPL) has created an internal poll that asks staff to vote on 20 “community themes,” or projects that the company should undertake to improve people’s lives, according to Apple-tracking site 9to5Mac, which obtained and a copy of the document.

The themes are wide-ranging and include everything from Apple improving its partnerships with schools to encouraging “young people to develop life skills.” The themes also include efforts to “empower the elderly.”

Apple has long supported charitable contributions for children, the disabled, and people who might not have easy access to technology. Apple also relies on its employees’ to participate, and in 2014, the company announced that it had raised more than $50 million through employee donations and company matching. The money was collected between 2011, when the matching program kicked off, and October 2014. Apple continues to match employees donations.

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Apple’s latest employee poll is another attempt by the company to expand upon its self-proclaimed mission (and one that CEO Tim Cook mentions often) to leave the “world better than when we found it.”

“Our themes are a result of global collaboration, innovation, and passion,” Apple said in a statement that accompanied the poll, according to 9to5Mac. “They’re rich with intention and supported by detailed ideas.”

In terms of improving access to Apple products “when they’re out of reach,” 9to5Mac says that Apple would want to recycle older products for use by community organizations. It could also donate a percentage of the cash value of devices turned in through its Trade Up program to “schools in need.”

However, Apple’s list of possible programs goes beyond merely getting the company’s products to people in need. One idea, for instance, is to strengthen “local arts and creativity.” Another would be for Apple to develop a wellness program to address community health issues.

For more on the iPhone, watch:

And following its fight with the FBI over unlocking an iPhone used by San Bernardino attacker Syed Farook, Apple came up with one related idea, No. 20: a class that would teach people about digital safety and privacy.

It’s unclear when Apple made the ballot available to employees and when it will decide which projects to pursue. Apple did not respond to a request for comment on the ballot.

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By Don Reisinger
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