Porsche joins with Chinese elites to improve the children’s welfare and youth developmentPorsche “Empowering the Future” Advisory Committee founding ceremony held in Beijing
Shanghai/Beijing. On March 12th, 2013, Porsche proudly announced the founding of the Advisory Committee of its “Empowering the Future” programme. This corporate social responsibility initiative was established after the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake to support youth education and children’s welfare in remote areas of China. The Committee brings together prominent members from various sectors of society including: world-renowned film director Zhang Yimou; leading artist and Head of the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute Luo Zhongli; Modern Media Group Chairman and Executive Director Thomas Shao; distinguished professor and Professor at the Institute of Journalism and Communication under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) Bu Wei; Chairman of Sunfonda Automobile Group Kevin Wu; Chairman and President of Wenzhou Kaiyuan Group Li Yuesheng; and Porsche China CEO Helmut Broeker.
Since its founding in 2009, the “Empowering the Future” programme has grown in scope and size, and expanded from Sichuan and Gansu to include Yunnan, Guizhou and Shanxi. For two of its three pillar programs, Porsche has formed a long-term partnership with UNICEF, for Mobile Educational and Training Resources Unit (METRU) and Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD). These two programs currently operate in five abovementioned provinces have benefited about 150,000 children thus far. By the end of 2014, including the initial funds sent for disaster relief after the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake, Porsche China will have committed a total donation of more than 50 million RMB in cash plus 10 Cayenne SUVs to UNICEF in China.
UNICEF China Representative Gillian Mellsop said, “With both the METRU and IECD programmes we are helping China to develop a replicable model of better outreach and support for students, teachers, children and their families in the most remote areas. These are the people who are the least accessible and need the most support. The METRU programme has proven to be a great success and we look forward to the same for the IECD programme. We are extremely grateful for Porsche for its generous support of this important work.”
Porsche China CEO Mr. Helmut Broeker said, “The mission of the Committee is to leverage the influence of its members and solicit wider support for long-term youth development in remote areas of China. The key tasks for the committee members are to promote ‘Empowering the Future’ through their business and social activities, help fundraise, and arrange events and opportunities to communicate the importance of this programme. We are proud that these elites have chosen to join this organisation at this time. With their collaboration, Porsche hopes to ‘Empower' the Future to new heights, improving the youth education and welfare of children in remote areas of China.”
At its founding meeting, the Advisory Committee reviewed Porsche “Empowering the Future” projects since 2009, discussed ongoing work of METRU, IECD and the “Empowering the Future” Art Contest, shared ways members could contribute through their respective fields, and gave suggestions for potential new projects. New topics that members discussed include how children in need should be respected and treated as a dignified group. Projects initiated by CASS have demonstrated how empowering children and youth through fine arts, poetry, song, music, photography and drama can have a profound impact on children, helping them understand the problems they face and giving them confidence and dignity they need to rebuild a sense of community. While continuing to actively support METRU and IECD, the marque hopes “Empowering the Future” will further nurture skills among less advantaged children and youth, including their communication, creative and innovative skills and encourage their individuality.
3/15/2013
