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
UK and Korea – Outward Bound
For over 65 years, Outward Bound has provided residential opportunities for students in the UK to experience the outdoors and gain confidence in themselves while working with others. Outward Bound International now works with schools in over 30 countries across six continents. Activities range from first-aid to abseiling, kayaking to land navigation, and provide challenges and fun for all involved.
UK
Marking the move of its global headquarters to East London in 2002, HSBC initiated a five year partnership with Outward Bound. This partnership offers students from five East London schools the chance to attend a variety of outdoor activity events, supported by HSBC staff members who act as student mentors. In addition, ten of the 150 students who take part in the programme each year are chosen to attend a three week residential Outward Bound course in August.
The students come from disadvantaged areas and this fun and exciting opportunity helps them to build confidence, learn to work together, and increase their respect for themselves and others.
A key part of HSBC's support is the five-year longitudinal research project it has commissioned from Loughborough University. This will research the connection between students' attitudes and their academic achievement and, it is anticipated, demonstrate that the skills youngsters gain from taking part in programmes such as Outward Bound increase their academic achievements and their future opportunities.
If you'd like to learn more about Outward Bound in the UK or get involved, click here.
Korea
In Korea, HSBC has teamed up with Outward Bound International to create the HSBC Global Leadership Programme. Almost 2,700 students, aged 11-13, responded to advertisements in schools and national media for a chance to take part in the inaugural programme.
The 40 successful students, chosen randomly through a name draw, attended a seminar with their parents, to learn about general educational issues as well as receive an introduction to the programme. The students then travelled to Singapore's Outward Bound Centre in January 2007 for a week's course, which focused on teamwork, increasing self-respect and personal responsibility. Before leaving Singapore, the children planted a tree in memory of their participation and HSBC's support. A month later, the children met up to see videos of them on the course and reflect on the experience.
HSBC believes this outdoor experience programme provides students with the chance to encounter adventure activities, increase their English language skills, undertake overseas studies and explore other cultures.
HSBC covers the cost of the course but students are expected to make a contribution which is then donated to Save the Children.
An HSBC employee summed up what it is hoped the children will experience [paraphrased]:
'Before learning English, we wish you to learn the world; Prior to learning competition, we wish you to learn friendship; My children, we wish you all to be global leaders.'
If you'd like to learn more about Outward Bound International, visit their website.
To read about some of the students' experiences, click on the following links:
