Presently, we all recognize that many business sectors tend to perform corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities which aim to increase better image of their brand together with the consideration of giving advantages to concerned society or underprivileged people in return.

In this issue, we would like to present, a case study of corporate social responsibility of Thai Samsung Electronic Company and the different kinds of social activities in which they are actively involved.

Thai Samsung Electronic cooperating with Samsung Asia has been organizing social activities under the name of “Samsung Digital Hope” since 2003. The main objective of the project is using technology to create better living conditions. Until now SAMSUNG has been supporting 38 projects in 7 countries; Thailand, Australia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam with the total amounting to 90 million Baht.

This year, EDF, has proposed a project named “Young Cyber Journalist” to the grantor and EDF was one of the selected few from Thailand that were generously rewarded with this grant.

The Young Cyber Journalist project aims to provide opportunity to children in 5 schools in Northeastern Thailand who wants to be journalist. SAMSUNG supports technological equipments such as computers, video cameras, digital cameras, and etc to the rural children. EDF, who is the main organization in handling the project, has set a seminar about how to be a good reporter by cooperating with Thai Society of Environmental Journalists to teach how to write articles for news and how to use technological tools on May 11-13, 2007.

EDF has an opportunity to meet with Mr. Manatase Annawat, Senior Manager of Telecommunication Business, Integrated Marketing Communication and Corporate Marketing of Thai Samsung Electronics and talked extensively about his comments on this current project and other interesting ideas on corporate social responsibility activities. He kindly explained Samsung’s policies on social activities which are very crucial for his organization. SAMSUNG select the most concrete and practical project which aims to increase the quality of life. For this year, SAMSUNG has provided support for 4 NGOs who were selected to perform similar projects.

Mr.Manatase said that “Young Cyber Journalist” project is very outstanding and very useful for students in rural areas. Students living there have no chance to express their opinions on incidents around themselves; the project can also be a way to educate children to be more aware of mass communication knowledge and its morality.”

At the end of the interview, this young manager leaves us with a virtuous idea about social activities to us and other business organizations. Manatase says “Social activities of the business sector are similar to a small group of people voices for the public concern for the needy people, whose voices are soft that most people are unable to hear what is needed. Those that have a chance should make the voices heard for those that do not have a chance especially students in rural schools. The schools are not able to take care of the students efficiently due to the lack of quality human resources and a good education environment. More voices can encourage organizations to participate in making social contribution and benefit the society and also reduce the gap in Thai society.”