PANASONIC remains active with its eco initiatives and in the past year alone more than 15 eco-related educational activities and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs were completed to raise public awareness in Middle East and Africa region. Many of these activities were in collaboration with business partners, governments, international NGOs, and other stakeholders. In October 2010, Panasonic announced its Eco Ideas declaration for the region in line with the company's global theme of environmental sustainability and a determination to become the No.1 green innovation company in the electronics industry by 2018. Every year on June 5, employees from Panasonic and its partners across the Middle East commemorate World Environment Day. Starting today Panasonic head office in Jebel Ali will begin collecting and recycling electronic waste for one week. Across the region, Panasonic offices are also engaged in various eco initiatives. Panasonic's drive for sustainability is keeping with the company's 'Eco Ideas Declaration' for the Middle East and Africa region. To achieve this goal, the company is pursuing its Eco Ideas for Lifestyles by promoting sustainable and comfortable green lifestyles as well as Eco Ideas for Business-styles with aims to reduce the environmental impact of its operations to a maximum extent and spread technologies and ideas that are brought forth through such reduction efforts. Panasonic is combining these environmental efforts and business growth. The Abu Dhabi University scholarship program is one of many initiatives under Panasonic's eco declaration. Four students are undertaking the Environmental Science Bachelor Degree Program under Panasonic sponsorship. This year a further three students have enrolled under the scholarship program. In addition, the Panasonic Eco Picture Diary competition, an on-going program allowing children aged from six to 15 years to come up with green ideas on how to preserve the environment, was launched in commemoration of World Environment Day. Other CSR initiatives from Panasonic include The Kids Witness News (KWN) program, which is a hands-on video education program where Panasonic provides video cameras and other audio visual equipment for video production. Launched in 1989, today over 718 schools worldwide participate in the event in over 31 countries internationally allowing students to share the world through their eyes.
