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
Thailand – HSBC children's book
In an effort to promote writing skills, creativity and interest in history, HSBC in Thailand created an essay competition in 2006 under the theme 'My Beloved Thailand'. Students aged 7-12 were invited to submit essays representing five major areas of interest to the King of Thailand: agriculture, energy, sports, music and Thai lifestyle.
The 900 submitted essays were screened by the HSBC corporate social responsibility committee and ten employee volunteers. 50 essays were chosen and judged by a panel of scholars and celebrities including a Thai literature specialist and an artist. The twelve best essays were compiled into a book containing illustrations by a famous Thai artist in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the King's accession to the throne.
HSBC held a launch event and many of the books were donated to school libraries. The rest of the books were sold to benefit charitable causes.
Following is a translated excerpt from one of the essays:
'My Beloved King and His Passion for Music
'I am very proud to be born in this country where the King places high value in music. As he once said - To me, music is something fine and beautiful. Again, I could not agree more with this statement. I also feel that his success in music does not come easily and it requires hard work and effort. Sometimes I feel discouraged with difficult music lessons, but when I think of the King and history I always feel motivated to keep on trying. The King is indeed a role model to all musicians and inspires in Thai people the love and passion for music.'
Panisa Todhanakasem, Grade 6, Shrewsbury International School
