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Employee-led "Social Contribution Club" Activities
In order to heighten employee awareness toward social contribution with the aim of putting into practice "Toward Society and the Earth," which is stated under the employee action standards "Our Way," Shiseido is striving to create a corporate culture in which each and every employee has a perspective toward resolving social issues.
To provide an outlet for the kind of employee who thinks "I'm willing to do something to help society but I don't know what to do," Shiseido established the Social Contribution Club for all employees of the domestic Group companies. The Social Contribution Club is designated for the purposes of individual social contribution through a company and developing donation and volunteer activities.
Camellia Fund
The Camellia Fund, an employee organization designed to encourage social contributions, was founded in 2005. Group employees who share its goals make monthly contributions from their salaries to sound, transparent groups selected from the three standpoints of improvement regarding social issues affecting women, improvement in quality of life through cosmetics and global environmental conservation. Administered by employees who either volunteer or are recommended by their peers, the organization also makes decisions on collecting donations from employees in the event of natural disasters.
In addition to current employees, participation by employees who have reached Shiseido's mandatory retirement age is welcomed, as is participation by shareholders who elect to enroll in the Support for Global Environment Protection Activity benefit program. Shiseido also donates money and other items to aid recipients in proportion to Camellia Fund contributions. In fiscal 2009, \3,925 thousand in shareholder contributions was donated to WWF Japan (World Wide Fund for Nature).
On June 6, 2011 a donation presentation ceremony of the Camellia Fund was held at Shiseido's Shiodome Office. Donations collected during the second half of fiscal 2010 were presented to eight organizations on the day of the ceremony. During the event, in addition to expressing their appreciation, representatives of respective recipient organizations also reported on the achievements of their activities in fiscal 2010 and future plans regarding the use of contributions.
Listening directly to various parties involved in activities conducted by respective organizations enables Shiseido employees to better understand each activity and presents valuable opportunities to recognize their importance. Steering committee members' comments included "I was moved by the serious situation in Japan and the world," "As an employee representative, I want to properly evaluate and select recipient organizations," and "I would also like to consider workplace activities to enhance the degree to recognition of the fund."
Presentation ceremony of the donations collected via the Camellia Fund for the second half of fiscal 2010
Presented by steering committee member Ms. Iwamatsu (right) to Ms. Kojima (left) of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Presentation ceremony of the donations collected via the Camellia Fund for the second half of fiscal 2010
Presented by steering committee member Mr. Kinumaki (right) to Ms. Nishiguchi (left) of Save the Children Japan
Working with Organizations that Receive Support from the Camellia Fund
Holding of Nature Observation Session at Shinjuku Gyoen
On November 28, 2010, the Nature Observation Session was held at the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo. The event organized as a cooperative program with The Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J) was participated by 44 people, including Shiseido employees and their families.
The Nature Observation Session is an environmental education initiative conducted by nature observation instructors who are approved by the NACS-J. The aim of the session is to come in contact with nature's various signs around you while listening to explanations about and learning how to observe nature, thereby enjoying the discovery and suggesting action to protect nature.
The late autumn weather was warm, comfortable and clear. Following the opening remarks by Camellia Fund steering committee member Mr./Ms. Fujii, participants were divided into groups of 7-9 people and walked with nature observation instructors around Shinjuku Gyoen for about two hours. Participants learned how to identify edible acorns, tasted honey on the camellia sasanquas flower center and enjoyed nature using five senses.
In closing, General Manager Hirose of NACS-J explained the use of donations collected through the Camellia Fund. Comments from participating employees included: "Explanations by nature observation instructors were interesting and enabled me to recognize that there are many things that I don't know about the nature nearby" and "It was worthwhile since I was able to discover various things and learn about the role of ecosystems again."
The group photo
Participants eagerly listening to a nature observation instructor
Children walking with nature observation instructors
Holding the Refugee Film Festival, a special movie screening for employees
On July 29, 2010, 73 employees participated in the Refugee Film Festival, a special movie screening for employees held at the Shiodome Office in conjunction with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Japan for UNHCR), one of the organizations that receives support from the Camellia Fund. The event, which is the second of its kind in two years, was conceived to promote deeper knowledge of refugee issues, an area of global concern, and to create opportunities for employees to think about and pursue community service.
The screening of a documentary about refugees was preceded by a lecture by Yumiko Takashima, Executive Director of Japan for UNHCR. Ms. Takashima discussed how donations from the Camellia Fund are being put to use, as well as the environment in which refugees worldwide find themselves today, describing her experiences providing direct assistance to refugees in such locations as Sudan, East Timor, Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Kenya. Employees attending the event expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn more about refugee issues. In the words of one participant, "I was shocked to discover the heroic efforts being made by some of these people, which I wouldn't even have imagined before seeing the film." Said another, "I gained a new understanding of the importance of knowledge and of acting on that knowledge. I'm looking forward to doing what I can in my own life, for example by communicating these issues to those around me."
Yumiko Takashima,
Executive Director of Japan for UNHCR,giving her lecture
Displays outside the venue introducing
various support activities being
undertaken by the Camellia Fund
Holding the XP Patient Seminar and Volunteer Activity to Take Care of Children
On April 10, 2010, a general meeting of the XP Tsukushinbo Group, a parent/patient association of the Japanese National Network of Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP), which is supported by the Camellia Fund, was held at Amity Maishima in Osaka. On this day, Shiseido employees participated as volunteers and a seminar was conducted for XP patients and their families regarding "how to use suncare cosmetics" by members in charge of the seminar from the Kinki Branch Office of Shiseido Sales Co., Ltd. and Area Sales Department of Shiseido Company, Limited.
Shiseido initially held a seminar for XP patients and their families, for whom sun cream is an essential product, in 2007. For the fourth such event, the seminar was held in Osaka for 13 XP patients and their families. Participants were able to actually experience correct ways to apply and remove suncare cosmetics by using sunscreen and cleansing products, address various daily concerns and receive advice.
Shiseido employees who participated in the volunteer activity played with and took care of children afflicted with XP while their guardians attended the general meeting.Various favorable comments from participants included: "It made a big difference that the seminar enabled us to actually take cosmetic items in our hands and try them rather than just listening. I was able to learn many things." "Since the staff slowly and carefully explained things, I was able to thoroughly check the ways that I had previously applied cream on my own."
Shiseido has been supporting XP patients through monetary donations and suncare cosmetics<*> since fiscal 2000. Shiseido also began soliciting employee donations from fiscal 2005 as one of the organizations supported by the Camellia Fund, as well as has been carrying out other initiatives to assist all XP patients by organizing volunteer activities and seminars.
* Products include Anessa, 2e, Sunmedic and Avene brands (Maruho Co., Ltd. is also cooperating by launching the 2e brand products that are manufactured by Shiseido.)
"How to use sunscreen" seminar
Conducted by Ms. Teruko Haraguchi,
Kinki Branch Office, Shiseido Sales Co., Ltd. (center)
Introducing sunscreen cream application and
removal by separating into small groups
Eight Support Group of Camellia Fund for Fiscal 2011
United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (Japan National Committee for UN Women)
United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) is a United Nations organization that was established on January 1, 2011 by integrating four United Nations organizations, including UN Women, and is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. The Japan National Committee for UN Women collects donations from the private sector and sends them to UN Women, also supporting various projects aimed at realizing the empowerment of women and gender equality.
Donations are used to fund computer and English education so that Afghan women can acquire basic skills to become economically independent.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Japan for UNHCR)
Japan for UNHCR, the official Japanese support arm of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), is responsible for offering assistance to refugees and conducting public relations and fundraising activities. In refugee camps in Nepal, where Bhutanese refugees are taking shelter, female refugees are earning cash income by making sanitary towels from cloth, as one of the ways in which UNHCR supports their acquisition of skills to become independent. Donations are used to support female Bhutanese refugees' businesses making sanitary products.
©UNHCR
All Japan Women's Shelter Net
All Japan Women's Shelter Net is a network of private support organizations nationwide that support women and children who are victims of domestic and sexual violence. All Japan Women's Shelter Net is developing long-term activities together with women and children who have escaped from such violence to rebuild their lives. Donations are used to help such individuals trying to make a fresh start despite their severe situations.
Save the Children Japan
Save the Children is an international support organization offering assistance to children. Founded in 1919 in the United Kingdom, Save the Children currently promotes activities in more than 120 countries worldwide to protect children's lives and rights, including those regarding education, nutrition, health maintenance and protection from violence and abuse.
Donations are used for improving the nutrition of mothers and children with an emphasis on breastfeeding without supplements, aiming to improve the health of children five years old and younger in Myanmar.
©SCJ
Shiseido Social Welfare Foundation
Over the past 38 years since its foundation, the Shiseido Social Welfare Foundation has been promoting various welfare projects for children and women who are raising children. There are more than 30,000 children in Japan who grew up in children's homes or foster homes as a result of difficult experiences such as child abuse, divorce or breakup of the family. Among these children, the foundation provides scholarships for outstanding high school students who wish to attend university or other educational institutions and aim at being involved in the child welfare field. Also, childcare information is provided in conjunction with child and family support centers nationwide for young parents who are raisng children. Donations are being used for such initaitives.
Note: Shiseido Social Welfare Foundation was approved as a public interest cooperative in April 2010.
Japanese National Network of Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP)
The Japanese National Network of Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) is a parent/patient association dealing with XP. Patients with XP, an incurable disease, have a high probability of developing skin cancer after their skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Many patients also exhibit progressive neurological symptoms. The association enables information exchange to slow the progress of the disease by preventing exposure to UV rays through, for example, using sunscreen and protective clothing. Donations are used for UV protection items such as UV-blocking fabric/film for protective clothing, as well as study groups and enlightenment activities.
WWF Japan (World Wide Fund for Nature)
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is a global environment conservation organization promoting activities in approximately 100 countires worldwide.
Tropical rainforests in Sumatra, Indonesia, are rapidly shrinking due to large-scale logging and raw material harvesting to develop paper pulp, palm oil and other resources. As a result, habitats for wild animals such as elephants and tigers are shrinking, leading to more accidents and conflicts between such animals and neighboring residents. Donations support the fund's conservation activities for expanding patrols and protected areas to prevent such encounters from occurring.
©WWF
The Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J)
The Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) committed to protecting Japan's rich nature and biodiversity. For more than half a centruy, the organization has been promoting actvities together with people who admire nature to protect Japan's world-class nature, including coral reefs in Oze, Ogasawara and Okinawa.
Many supporters are still needed to hand down this legacy of nature to children in the future. Donations are used to develop nature observation instructors who will be protecting nature in various regions.
Employee Support Activities in Times of Disaster
The Camellia Fund is calling for donations and relief money from domestic employees in times of disaster. Donations are presented via the non-profit organization (NPO) Japan Platform to people who are affected by disasters. Moreover, the donations are used for support activities that include distribution of food and daily necessities, medical teams' rescue and save activities and lifeline recovery activity. Relief funds are directly presented to disaster victims as consolation payments through the Japanese Red Cross.
* Click here for presentation details about relief funds.
Presented to Japan Platform
Presented to Japanese Red Cross
Volunteer Activity by Collecting Various Items
Shiseido is implementing activities to support pregnant and parturient women and providing educational assistance for children in developing countries by collecting various items such as used stamps, miswritten postcards, coins and notes.
This activity, which was formerly conducted by respective departments, was integrated from 2005 and has expanded into a company-wide initiative. In addition to volunteer activity that enables everyone to easily take part basically at any time anywhere throughout the year, we are also conducting campaigns twice a year.
Collected used stamps are used for various purposes via the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning, including payment of recycled bicycle shipping costs and activities (White Ribbon Campaign) to save lives of mothers and babies in developing countries. Also, miswritten postcards, coins, notes and other items are used for the Darunee Scholarship Fund via the Education for Development Foundation to support children in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
Programs that Support Employees' Social Activities
Shiseido's support of employees' social activities derives from the belief that improving oneself through involvement with society leads to growth of not only the employee but also the company.
Social Studies Days
Since 1993, Shiseido's Social Studies Days Program has allowed employees to participate in social contribution activities instead of coming to work for up to three days each year. A total of 132 days were utilized under this system in fiscal 2010, in which 126 participants took this time to hone their skills for volunteer and social contribution activities, and to register as volunteers.
Product Matching Gifts
Under a program introduced in 1998, Shiseido matches participation in volunteer activities by employees and their families as well as retired employees by supplying products such as shampoo and hand soap to facilities and initiatives. In the fiscal year ended March 2011, 23 activities occurred through this program.
