On 21 May, Arkema, the global leading specialty materials company, and its employee volunteers once again visited Zhangjiagang Lvfeng School, a school for migrant workers’ children in Jiangsu Province, to continue the “ChemArt Green Innovation Class” volunteer activity. This is the first time for Arkema to visit the school since the epidemic, and it also marks the 5th anniversary of " ChemArt Green Innovation Class ", a long-term CSR program in China with the theme of "Better Life, Better Future."
"Since the launch of ‘ChemArt Green Innovation Class’ in Lvfeng School in 2016, we have striven to create a better future for children through 'environmentally friendly' and ‘innovative’ concepts. We have gained recognition from all of our stakeholders. This has strengthened our determination in carrying out volunteer project series and taking practical steps towards a sustainable future.Throughout the past five years, our employee volunteers also have been actively involved in a wide range of programs and activities to meet the children’s learning and development needs. I am very proud of their perseverance and dedication."
Focusing on sustainable development, contributing to the holistic development of teenagers
Arkema is committed to supporting the holistic development of teenagers and has donated 85 computers to the " Green IT Classroom" as well as providing basic IT skills training for teachers. This year, Arkema will offer 50 recycled computers and support the installation of 2nd “Green IT Classroom”, to help improve the school’s teaching facilities, provide students a better learning environment and allow them to obtain more knowledge and skills. Volunteers, students, and teachers in Lvfeng School, attended the unveiling of the 2nd " Green IT Classroom". Students were very excited, they expressed their gratitude for the volunteers by delivering red scarves.
On the occasion of International Day for Biological Diversity, volunteers carried out a series of activities and lessons on biodiversity and environmental protection to enrich students’ knowledge about sustainable development, and the cultivation of habits that leave a low carbon footprint. Starting with the surrounding natural beauty, volunteers helped students know more about the richness of nature, and develop a concrete understanding of biodiversity and the importance of its conservation. Meanwhile, an eco-themed art workshop was in full swing under guidance, students took up their brushes, decorated their recyclable eco-bags with imaginative artwork to express their love and appreciation for nature.
Notably, during the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020, Arkema also contributed to the school’s epidemic prevention and innovation education. Arkema has donated hydrogen peroxide and other disinfectant materials to the school and helped to organize a digital art and coding competition for the Franco-Chinese Month of the Environment (MFCE) with the theme of “Protect Earth, Environment and Biodiversity". Winners were awarded with gifts and encouraged to create a better sustainable future with “environmentally friendly” and “innovation” at its core.
Five years’ great work and commitment towards CSR
In May 2016, Arkema set up the first "ChemArt Green Innovation Class" in Zhangjiagang Lvfeng School as the first major pilot school for its “Better Life, Better Future” CSR brand, aiming to help students to broaden their horizons, access knowledge from different sources. Five years later, "ChemArt Green Innovation Class" has expanded to Hengshui Limin Road Primary School, Hebei Province, and Baishiyan Primary School, Zhicun Town, Mengzi City, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province.
Students of " ChemArt Green Innovation Class " said:
“I always look forward to attending 'ChemArt Green Innovation Class', volunteers from Arkema always prepare interesting classes and help us understand the world better!”
“Since the first time I attended 'ChemArt Green Innovation Class’ in the 4th grade, I have learned a lot! Now I’ve become the ‘environmentalist' in my family, and I will urge my mom and dad to start small and make our home greener.”
“I have changed a lot since I met Arkema’s volunteers. I have gained a lot about environmental protection and safety, learned to grasp the innovative ideas flashing through my mind and been able to speak in English with no problems. Now I am about to graduate, I think I have become more confident than ever and ready for the future, I’d like to thank the 'ChemArt Green Innovation Class’.”
The project adopted the model of “companion growth”, i.e., accompanying the same group of students to grow up until graduation, so as to provide the children with the maximum benefit. During the past five years, it has accompanied generation after generation of children’s growth and change, and attracted more employees to participate in volunteer teams. In 2017, Arkema specially set up a volunteer association, which approximately 200 employees have joined. According to the actual needs of each school, volunteers have been providing English tutoring, DIY knowledge training and other activities with fun and achievement, to Improve their safety awareness, stimulate creativity, and increase their interest in learning.
“For the past few years, we have been pushing ourselves to bring new ideas, hoping that students benefit more from each class.” An Arkema volunteer said, “I am proud to be part of Arkema's 'ChemArt Green Innovation Class', which is a fascinating project. Seeing the pure eyes of the students and feeling their enthusiasm and desire for a better world makes it all worthwhile.”
As a responsible specialty materials company, Arkema has always made sustainable development one of its core strategies, while actively involved in different local CSR activities. In the future, Arkema will continue to fulfill its corporate social responsibility and promote the sustainable development in China.