Feb. 13, 2006
Toyota Environmental Protection Aid Program
for China's Youth Hands Out 1st Awards
Tokyo ― TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today that the All-China Youth Federation*1 and TMC handed out the first 10 awards for The Toyota Environmental Protection Aid Program for China's Youth*2 at a ceremony in Beijing on Feb. 12.
Approximately 400 people attended the awards ceremony, including Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Gu Xiulian, All-China Youth Federation Honorary Chairman Zhou Qiang, federation executives, government officials, students and Toyota representatives. In his opening address, TMC Executive Vice President Yoshimi Inaba, who oversees Toyota's operations in China, said, "Environmental initiatives, including those that address issues concerning natural resources, are essential for China's sustainable development in the future, and it is particularly important to carry out activities on the grassroots level. Toyota hopes to contribute to resolving China's environmental issues by supporting these types of environmental protection activities."
The function of the program, which was established by the All-China Youth Federation and TMC in July 2005, is to solicit written proposals for environmental protection activities from China's youth―the nation's future decision-makers. A panel composed of environmental protection experts and other distinguished members reviews the proposals according to criteria that include benefits, efficiency, originality and feasibility. Each year, 10 awards of three different ranks are awarded, with Toyota also intending to give out a special award each year that focuses on the atmosphere and energy conservation. TMC will donate 3.5 million Chinese yuan (approximately 50 million yen) each year for three years for a total of 10.5 million yuan (about 150 million yen).
In the program's first year, 244 proposals were submitted from across China. The panel selected 10 proposals for the first- through third-rank prizes. The winners will receive grants, and winning-proposal representatives will be invited to travel to Japan for study trips. In addition, 20 individuals or representatives of organizations whose past environmental protection activities have been highly commended will also be invited. As no proposals were selected this year for Toyota's special award, TMC and the All-China Youth Federation agreed that an amount equal to the grant they allotted would be used to promote activities designed to enhance environmental awareness among children.
Toyota has long been involved in a wide range of philanthropic activities designed to respond to the needs of regions around the world. Toyota's numerous philanthropic activities in China have included afforestation programs to combat desertification and the creation of a research center in collaboration with Tsinghua University. Toyota aims to be a good corporate citizen, and plans to continue contributing to Chinese society, with activities that focus on the themes of environmental protection, traffic safety and human resources development.
*1 The largest youth organization in China, established in 1949. Active in environmental protection activities, it has promoted programs such as the Mother River Protection Operation.
*2 For more information concerning the Toyota Environmental Protection Aid Program for China's Youth, please visit http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/detail/248601
Approximately 400 people attended the awards ceremony, including Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Gu Xiulian, All-China Youth Federation Honorary Chairman Zhou Qiang, federation executives, government officials, students and Toyota representatives. In his opening address, TMC Executive Vice President Yoshimi Inaba, who oversees Toyota's operations in China, said, "Environmental initiatives, including those that address issues concerning natural resources, are essential for China's sustainable development in the future, and it is particularly important to carry out activities on the grassroots level. Toyota hopes to contribute to resolving China's environmental issues by supporting these types of environmental protection activities."
The function of the program, which was established by the All-China Youth Federation and TMC in July 2005, is to solicit written proposals for environmental protection activities from China's youth―the nation's future decision-makers. A panel composed of environmental protection experts and other distinguished members reviews the proposals according to criteria that include benefits, efficiency, originality and feasibility. Each year, 10 awards of three different ranks are awarded, with Toyota also intending to give out a special award each year that focuses on the atmosphere and energy conservation. TMC will donate 3.5 million Chinese yuan (approximately 50 million yen) each year for three years for a total of 10.5 million yuan (about 150 million yen).
In the program's first year, 244 proposals were submitted from across China. The panel selected 10 proposals for the first- through third-rank prizes. The winners will receive grants, and winning-proposal representatives will be invited to travel to Japan for study trips. In addition, 20 individuals or representatives of organizations whose past environmental protection activities have been highly commended will also be invited. As no proposals were selected this year for Toyota's special award, TMC and the All-China Youth Federation agreed that an amount equal to the grant they allotted would be used to promote activities designed to enhance environmental awareness among children.
Toyota has long been involved in a wide range of philanthropic activities designed to respond to the needs of regions around the world. Toyota's numerous philanthropic activities in China have included afforestation programs to combat desertification and the creation of a research center in collaboration with Tsinghua University. Toyota aims to be a good corporate citizen, and plans to continue contributing to Chinese society, with activities that focus on the themes of environmental protection, traffic safety and human resources development.
*1 The largest youth organization in China, established in 1949. Active in environmental protection activities, it has promoted programs such as the Mother River Protection Operation.
*2 For more information concerning the Toyota Environmental Protection Aid Program for China's Youth, please visit http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/detail/248601
