Suntory Beverage & Food (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a leader of health enrichment products under BRAND'S trademark in Thailand and Asia, reaffirms its commitment to conducting business with corporate social and environmental responsibility, in line with the corporate values of "Growing for Good" and "Giving Back to Society". This is demonstrated by the success of the water conservation project, which received a certificate for the "Corporate Social Impact Awards 2024" from the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (AMCHAM), recognizing member businesses with outstanding corporate social impact. This award is a testament to Suntory's dedication to educating youth about sustainable water and environmental conservation. On November, 13, 2024, Mrs. Mathuvalee Stithyudhakarn, Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Affairs Director, Thailand and Indochina, represented the company in receiving the certificate from U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec and Mr. Simon Denye, AMCHAM Corporate Social Impact Board Governor Liaison.
"The AMCHAM Corporate Social Impact Award reflects the company's commitment to creating value for society and the environment," stated Mrs. Mathuvalee Stithyudhakarn. "Under the 'One Suntory Mizuiku Program 2024', we are dedicated to raising awareness of water conservation among Thai youth through the Nature Classroom activity, which offers hands-on learning experiences to enhance their ability to apply this knowledge within their community's context. Additionally, we support the implementation of water conservation projects in schools that address four areas: policy, stakeholder participation, infrastructure development, and community engagement. Through raising awareness of social responsibility and empowering young people to become 'change agents', we hope to promote positive behavioral changes and sustainable water resource conservation in local communities."
"We have implemented the water conservation project since 2021 with the goal of educating Thai youth about the value of water resources from upstream to downstream, and empowering them to spearhead innovative water conservation initiatives in their local communities. To spread awareness about water conservation across the country, we have organized experiential learning activities through the Nature Classroom. Over 37,000 students have participated in educational activities and the implementation of water conservation projects in schools, while more than 180 teachers have received training to sustainably transfer knowledge of water and environmental conservation. We aim for these student leaders and teachers to be representatives in expanding this environmental education model at the national level."
In the past, Suntory Beverage & Food (Thailand) Co., Ltd. has been dedicated to continuously improving its initiatives to enhance impact on society. The water conservation project began in 2021 with the theme "Save the Water, Save the World," in partnership with the Environmental Education Center (EEC). It provided nature classroom educational activities along the Andaman Sea's beachfront, teaching young people about protecting marine water sources and promoting sustainable tourism in Phuket Province. Later in 2022, the company launched the "Give Balance to Water and the World" concept, educating young people from Rayong Province through the nature classroom activities in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health, the Rayong Inclusive Learning Academy (RILA), and the Environmental Education Center. The goal was to promote sustainable tourism and the preservation of Rayong Province's numerous water sources.
In 2023, by collaborating with the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion and participating schools under the Eco-School project, we expanded the project nationwide. Our goal was to encourage young people to take the lead in protecting their local water resources, such as the upstream in Chiang Rai Province, the midstream in Ubon Ratchathani Province, the downstream in Chachoengsao Province, and the sea in Krabi Province, all under the motto "Protect Water, Care for the Environment for a Sustainable Thailand".
The year is a significant milestone for the project. In collaboration with government and social sector partners such as the Department of Water Resources, the Department of Pollution Control, the Department of Climate Change and Environment, and the Environmental Education Center, the company has partnered with Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Co., Ltd. to implement the "One Suntory Mizuiku Program 2024". Student leaders and teachers from 30 schools in Rayong and Chonburi provinces attended the "Mizuiku Water Hero Camp" and the "Mizuiku Water Model School" activities. A unique opportunity to participate in a field trip to learn about the origin of the Mizuiku program in Japan was also given to the two schools who won the "Mizuiku Water Model School" contest.
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