Commit to Change
The world's local bank- USA – Higher education support for students
- France – HSBC Education Foundation
- Korea – Island Watch for a Future Generation
- Malaysia – Reading and Writing Programme
- UK – Thriftwood school
- New Zealand – The Gifted Kids Programme
- China – Rural teacher training course
- UK – Kielder Challenge
- Singapore – Youth Excellence Initiative
- Australia – HSBCkids
- UK and Korea – Outward Bound
- USA – Boys & Girls Clubs of America
- Global – Future First: Investing in our children
- UK – On-line mathematics
- South Africa – Disadvantaged schools
- Brazil – HSBC Solidarity Institute
- USA – Jumpstart
- Thailand – HSBC children's book
- UK – Tall Ships Youth Trust
- China and Hong Kong – Mainland/Hong Kong Exchange Programme in Special Education
- Malta and the UK – Eco-Schools
- UK – HSBC scholars
- India – Madhapur Mandal school
- UK – School governors
- Hong Kong, China, and Brazil – Zippy's Friends
- USA and UK – Teach for America/Teach First
- Canada – York University scholarship fund
- UK – Sailing Academies
- China – Soaring under the sun
- China – HSBC China Charity Federation Fund
Korea – Island Watch for a Future Generation
In partnership with Green Korea, HSBC Korea has been running Island Watch for a Future Generation since 2002. Middle school students (aged 12-14) attend a week-long summer camp on Jeju Island, learning about ecosystems and the importance of protecting them. Jeju island offers a unique ecosystem and students can observe 11 kinds of rare plants and 20 types of sea creature. 40 students are selected from a nationwide environmental essay competition. On the island, they learn about its environment, culture and history and participate in research and conservation of the island’s ecosystem. In addition to the summer camp, students are invited to an ecological, one-day field trip in November and a two-day eco-workshop in January.
The workshop has several key aims:
- To promote awareness of the importance of preserving the environment;
- To provide opportunities for middle school students to learn first-hand about the island’s ecosystem, history and culture;
- To encourage networking and idea exchange among the students about environmental issues;
- To encourage young people to share what they have learned with their communities.
Since it began in 2002, the number of applicants has tripled and 200 students have taken part, representing 175 schools. While at the camp, students learn about the importance of sustainable living and protecting the ecosystem and practice simple ways to pursue this:
- Engage in beach cleaning activities – it is estimated that half a tonne (1,100 pounds) of garbage is cleaned up per year;
- Reduce carbon emissions by not using air conditioning while at the camp;
- Save energy and reduce CO2 emissions by conducting all transport on foot or by bicycle;
- Reduce waste production and water usage;
- Reduce the use of disposable products, such as paper cups.
