AEGON and Right To Play Announce Global Partnership

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080704/311773 )

Right To Play, founded by four-time Olympic Gold medalist and current CEO Johann Olav Koss, uses sport and play programs to improve health, develop life skills, and foster peace for children and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world. Currently, Right To Play has projects in over twenty countries inAfrica,Asia and theMiddle East. Its programs target the most vulnerable, including young girls, the disabled, children affected by HIV and AIDS, street children, former child combatants and refugees.

"AEGON is honored to join with Right To Play in improving the lives of children who are forced to endure some of the most desperate circumstances around the world," said AEGON CEO Alexander Wynaendts. "We are committed to making a difference in the communities where we work and live, and also in places where we may not necessarily be active in business but where we can still help to create better futures through respected and effective organizations such as Right To Play."

Right To Play was built in the 1990s on the power and values of sport, demonstrated by the engagement of Athlete Ambassadors from more than 40 countries who serve as positive role models and advocates for children. AEGON has long sponsored high-achieving athletes to support athletic excellence and reinforce the value it places on teamwork, communication, respect and trust. The relationship between AEGON and Right To Play dates back to 2004, when AEGON's Dutch organization - AEGON The Netherlands - signed a three year partnership. Among the activities developed by AEGON The Netherlands to raise funds for and awareness about Right To Play is the annual AEGON Right To Play Run for its business partners, employees and their families. Proceeds of the event in 2007, totaling EUR 340,000, have been used to support Right To Play activities in regions affected by war, poverty and disease.

Johann Olav Koss stated: "The relationship that AEGON and Right To Play have built up over the last 4 years has proven itself as a golden combination. With the expansion of the partnership, we are now entering a new phase in which AEGON will support Right To Play in implementing sports and play projects and building capacity and programs as a basis for future growth of the organization. The long-term commitment of AEGON and the passionate involvement of its employees is a great example of a worldwide respected company taking its social responsibility by contributing to communities in the most disadvantaged areas in the world."

In addition to supporting Right To Play, AEGON also funds international cancer research, and other education, social and civic organizations aimed at addressing quality of life issues and creating opportunity for people and communities in the Americas,Europe andAsia.

AEGON

AEGON is one of the world's largest life insurance and pension groups, and a strong provider of investment products. AEGON empowers local business units to identify and provide products and services that meet the evolving needs of customers, using distribution channels best suited to local markets. AEGON takes pride in balancing a local approach with the power of an expanding global operation.

With headquarters inThe Hague, the Netherlands, AEGON companies employ approximately 30,000 people worldwide. AEGON's businesses serve millions of customers in over twenty markets throughout the Americas,Europe, andAsia.

Respect, quality, transparency and trust constitute AEGON's core values as the company continually strives to meet the expectations of customers, shareholders, employees and business partners. AEGON is driven to deliver new thinking with the ambition to be the best in the industry.

RIGHT TO PLAY

Right To Play is a non profit athlete-driven international humanitarian organization that uses specially-designed sport and play programs to improve health, build life skills, and foster peace for children and communities affected by war, poverty, disease. Right To Play has projects in more than twenty countries inAfrica,Asia and theMiddle East. Its key areas of focus are basic education and child development, health promotion and disease prevention, conflict prevention and peace education, and community development.

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SOURCE AEGON N.V.

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