New Approach to Donations... Samsung Employees Directly Choose Social Contribution Activities

'CSR 2.0' Revamp Announcement Imminent... Han Jong-hee and Kyung Kye-hyun Deliver Joint Message

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyeyoung] Samsung Electronics is reorganizing its social contribution activities to accelerate its transformation into 'New Samsung.' The plan focuses on allowing employees to directly choose social contribution programs and promoting idea proposals and talent donations. The group also plans to strengthen joint management of major CSR projects to maximize synergy.

According to the business community on the 19th, Samsung Electronics recently shared with its employees the implementation plan for a new social contribution system called 'CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) 2.0' along with the overall business direction.

Han Jong-hee, Vice Chairman and Head of the DX Division, and Kyung Kye-hyun, President and Head of the DS Division, Samsung Electronics' 'two top executives,' posted messages on the company bulletin board emphasizing 'CSR 2.0,' stating, "Employees can directly choose the social contributions they want and also make donations. Let us, the company and employees, fulfill our social responsibilities and together create a proud Samsung toward a 'better future.'"

The Samsung Electronics CSR reform plan includes a method for employees to select and donate to programs they desire. Previously, there were limitations on employees individually designating the use of donation funds, but starting next year, employees will have expanded options regarding donation destinations and recipients among various CSR programs. The company plans to contribute an amount equal to individual donations.

Additionally, the company plans to support and activate idea proposals related to new CSR programs and employee talent donations through various methods.

This is interpreted as an intention to actively discover programs like 'Samsung Hope Bridge.' 'Samsung Hope Bridge' began in 2013, marking the 20th anniversary of the 'Samsung New Management' declaration, from ideas and donations made by Samsung Electronics employees. At that time, Samsung Electronics conducted a vote among employees to determine the use of donation funds, and one of the selected projects was support for youth preparing for independence. Thanks to the joint efforts of the company and employees, the youth support idea was realized as 'Samsung Hope Bridge.'

Based on employee donations of 25 billion KRW, Samsung Electronics started operating the first phase of the 'Samsung Hope Bridge Center' in 2016 and expanded the project area in 2019 by adding 25 billion KRW in company support funds. Currently, eight centers are operating, including those in Gyeonggi, Busan, Daegu, Gangwon, Gwangju, Gyeongnam, Chungnam, and Jeonbuk, with plans to open centers in Gyeongbuk and Jeonnam next year. Up to last year, nearly 8,500 youths, including those residing in each center, have received support for independence preparation and independence experience.

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong is visiting the 'Dream Class' winter camp, one of Samsung's social contribution projects in 2016, and taking photos with students. (Photo by Samsung Electronics)

Industry insiders expect that the CSR reform plan will be further strengthened in line with Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's 'Together' vision.

Currently, Samsung is conducting social contribution and win-win activities centered on youth education under the CSR vision 'Together to the Future! Enabling People.' Youth education-centered activities include operating ▲Samsung Youth SW Academy ▲Samsung Junior SW Academy ▲Samsung Smart School ▲Dream Class, among others. Additionally, through win-win programs such as ▲Smart Factory ▲C-Lab Outside ▲Future Technology Development Projects, Samsung shares its accumulated technology and innovation know-how with society.

Earlier, in August, Samsung announced a 240 trillion KRW investment plan and stated regarding CSR direction, "We will redefine the direction to contribute more practically to our society." Accordingly, in September, Samsung reorganized the existing Dream Class into 'Dream Class 2.0' and redefined its direction as 'closing the gap of dreams.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.