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Mitsubishi Estate has made an active
commitment to improving life for the next generation, thus
helping society reach its full potential.
 In December 2003, in a series of panels exhibited
in Tokyo, Mitsubishi Estate spotlighted an international
NGO named “Plan” that is involved in international
aid in the form of “foster parent sponsorships”
of children in developing countries and their communities.
Mitsubishi Estate provides matching funds for employee donations
to two overseas projects it sponsors in conjunction with
Plan Japan.
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Items on display included paintings and letters
from “foster children,” as well as videos depicting
the lives of children in Kenya. There were also “dream
carp pennants,” on which children from a recipient
community sponsored by Mitsubishi Estate in Burkina Faso
had drawn their real village and their dream village.
In November 2003 and January 2004, Mitsubishi
Estate displayed 60 artworks by children aged up to 15 with
physical or mental disabilities. They were selected from
among 420 entries in a competition sponsored by the company.
The gallery was posted online at: www.kodomonoe.com/event/kirakira/index_top02.html
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Winning
photo:
“Be Patient Mr. Echidna” |
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Kazuko Iwano, who said, “The researchers
and volunteers worked together to capture an
echidna to record data, including weight and
size. Before the release we attached a transmitter
with adhesive. I was fascinated, nervous and
excited to see such an unusual creature with
my own eyes.” |
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Nikon recently announced the winner of
The Grand Prix (Nikon Prize) in Earthwatch Japan's photo
competition, which is open only to Earthwatch volunteers.
Nikon supports the efforts of the international environmental
NGO Earthwatch and has become a corporate member of Earthwatch
Japan. Earthwatch engages people from diverse countries,
cultures and organizations, inspiring them to take responsibility
for the environment.
The purpose of the photo competition is to allow
as many people as possible to share the priceless experiences
and inspiration of its volunteers. Japanese volunteers who
have participated in projects in Japan and overseas are
invited to submit photographs taken during their surveys
that express the wonders of nature and history, and the
happiness, difficulties, surprises and discoveries experienced
through their voluntary work. Nikon sponsors this competition.
In 2003 there were 43 entries. The Nikon Prize
was awarded to a photograph by Kazuko Iwano, who spent two
weeks tracking echidnas and goannas through the wilderness
of Kangaroo Island, which has remained unchanged since prehistoric
times. The echidna is a primitive mammal-like monotreme
that has survived from the dinosaur era.
Earthwatch recruits a wide range of volunteers
to support projects by providing financial and human resources
for scientists engaged in field surveys and research projects
carried out to gather the data needed to ensure a sustainable
environment and permanent preservation of the Earth's
natural resources and humanity's cultural heritage.
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