Stephanie Barraud, Senior Vice President - ASEAN, Beiersdorf Co., Ltd., said, "Beyond our mission of developing new skincare products for people we are also aware of the importance of improving the quality of life for everyone in society. One of our main interests is education as it is considered a fundamental element for the sustainable development of the country, and this involves providing access to good knowledge sources to everyone on an equal basis. Having a learning resource like a library is more than just a place where people can study outside the classroom, as it is also a place for students to engage, sharpen their skills, and develop their technological potential to create valuable contributions to our future society."
The collaboration between Beiersdorf (Thailand), Ashoka (Thailand) and the Thailand Collaboration for Education (TCFE) by Yuvabadhana Foundation will renovate 11 libraries for schools in communities that are underfunded. The funding will use to renovate the library, purchase up-to-date books, and provide other learning supplies such as interactive multimedia, e-books, and computers. Additionally, book loan-return systems are also being installed to attract young people interested in self-learning through digital tools, a crucial element of today's education. This campaign aims to reach at least 8,000 young people by 2025.
Sinee Chakthranont, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at Ashoka: Innovators for the Public (Thailand) Foundation, said, "Ashoka is a global association of 4,000 "Social Entrepreneurs" who are innovating to address environmental, health, human rights, economic and, most importantly, education issues in over 90 countries. Ashoka is headquartered in Washington D.C. and from there we create partnerships with NGOs and civil society in different regions to support new ideas and methods with the aim of creating change to make people happier and have a better quality of life. It is our great pleasure to partner with Beiersdorf (Thailand) and Yuvabadhana Foundation in projects that introduce new concepts and technologies in education that can help develop lifelong learning among young people and make a meaningful contribution to Thai society. "The library for lifelong learning empowerment" program will create learning opportunities for teachers, parents and the community, especially young women, building their potential for community development and the chance to be a part of sustainable Thai society.
Padcha Mahatumarat, Director, Thailand Collaboration for Education Yuvabadhana Foundation, said, "Our program is the result of collaboration between educational organisations aiming to boost accessibility and life skills development among underprivileged schools and students in Thailand. "The library for lifelong learning empowerment" program will help enhance collaboration in education. By helping to develop student learning empowerment through libraries and online learning materials this project also demonstrates the value of working together to bring additional benefits to the young people and enhance their contribution to Thai society."
"It is a pleasure to collaborate with strong partners like Ashoka (Thailand) Foundation and Thailand Collaboration for Education (TCFE) by Yuvabadhana Foundation. These two organisations are committed to resolving education challenges in the country, and we share a common ideology of developing people by providing good quality education and helping them develop their self-learning skills to live quality lives, improve their communities, and continue to create sustainable developmental change for the country," Ms. Stephanie added.
This project highlights Beiersdorf's commitment and mission of creating a sustainable ecosystem for societies and communities so each person has equal opportunities to live a better quality of life, especially women. Beiersdorf will continue to carry out other activities and projects to promote good quality living for children and youths to create valuable changes for the future of society.
Source: Spark communications
