The group has such global companies as LG Electronics, the world’s No. 2 TV maker and the No. 3 handset vendor, and LG Display, the world’s second-largest supplier of display panels.
◇ I Love China Campaign
In particular, LG Group has been with Chinese citizens at difficult times such as the Sichuan earthquake in 2008 and the SARS outbreak in 2003.
The group spent 10 million yuan (around $1.5 million) on rebuilding a middle school that was severely damaged by the massive earthquake that hit villages in China’s Sichuan Province. The restoration was aimed at giving a practical and lasting help to students who suffered from the earthquake. LG Group held a ceremony marking the completion of the school in October of 2008.
Six affiliates of LG Group, which operate on the mainland, provided a total of 17 million yuan in relief aid for victims of the Sichuan earthquake. The six subsidiaries were LG Electronics; LG Display; LG Chem; LG Household & Health Care; LG CNS; and LG International Corp. The remaining 7 million yuan was provided to Chang Hong, a TV manufacturer based in Sichuan which suffered from a disruption to its operations because of the disaster. Chang Hong is also one of customers of LG Display.
LG Group’s affection towards China started in 2003 when the country was hit by the severe acute respiratory syndrome widely known as SARS.
Unlike other multinational companies which suspended or withdrew operations on the mainland, LG Electronics ran businesses as usual, and carried out a campaign, “I love China,” distributing leaflets on how to prevent the epidemic to drivers. LG Electronics has since developed the campaign, and conducted various cultural events and scholarship programs in many parts of China.
◇ To Fight Famine
LG Electronics is also beefing up its efforts to fight famine in extremely poor countries.
Last April, LG Electronics signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations World Food Program, to provide Ethiopia and Kenya with a total of 3 billion won ($2.5 million) for three years starting last year. The aid will focus on helping citizens in those countries to overcome poverty and become self-sufficient.
LG Electronics has picked 13 schools in Kenya as “LG Hope Schools,” providing them with free school meals and improving education environments, and supporting families of AIDS patients.
LG Electronics has also partnered with UNICEF and other organizations to build playgrounds, wells and clean washrooms at those schools. In Kenya, 46 percent of its people live on just 500 won per day, and there are 2 million children who have lost their parents because to AIDS.
The company has also selected some villages in Ethiopia as “LG Hope Villages,” teaching agricultural techniques that help raise productivity and prevent environmental destruction. LG Electronics also supports school meals for students to help increase their school attendance rates and learning efficiency. In Ethiopia, more than 40 percent of population is afflicted by poverty.
LG Hope School and LG Hope Village programs will benefit 10,000 people and 20,000 people suffering from poverty, respectively, LG said.
Kim Young-kee, LG’s chief relations officer and executive vice president, recently traveled to Kenya and Ethiopia, and visited the schools and hospitals that are supported by the firm.
“LG Hope School and LG Hope Village programs will not a one-time donation, but a fundamental solution to address the vicious cycle of poverty,” Kim said.
◇ Champions of the Earth
LG Electronics has also sponsored the “champions of the Earth,” the United Nations’ highest awards for environmental leadership, since last year.
This is the first time for a private company to sponsor the award.
Last May, LG Electronics formed a strategic partnership with the United Nations Environment Program to exclusively sponsor the “champions of the Earth” for three years starting this year, earmarking a combined 2.1 billion won for the sponsorship.
The award, which is considered the Nobel Prize of the environmental field, was established by the UNEP to raise the awareness of global environmental issues, and encourage the development of eco-friendly policies and technologies. Its past winners include former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and Prince Albert of Monaco.
“Our sponsorship for the award will be an opportunity to raise consumer awareness about environmental issues such as climate change and boost our image as an eco-friendly company,” Kim said.
◇ IVI Leadership Education
LG Electronics has also nurtured global talents in collaboration with the International Vaccine Institute headquartered in Seoul, offering leadership education to 63 students from 13 nations.
In early 2008, the two sides agreed to cooperate in science education, volunteer activities and other projects. Since then, LG Electronics has annually donated 40 million won to the institute to help its relief efforts for children worldwide. LG also supports the institute’s development of vaccines to prevent environmental diseases, eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, and to reduce child death rates. The two also jointly run a “science leadership program” to foster students’ “science leadership” skills.
The IVI is an international organization set up by the United Nations Development Program devoted to developing and introducing new and improved vaccines to protect the world`s poorest people, especially children in developing countries.
In January, LG Electronics donated $400,000 to IVI for education programs and support of the institute`s humanitarian efforts for the world`s children.
LG Chem, Korea’s biggest chemicals maker, has carried out the “I Love Ningbo” campaign since 2003, under which employees of its factory in Ningbo, China perform volunteer activities. The campaign has been one of the leading social contribution activities in the local community, LG Chem said.
LG Display has been also helped the visually impaired under its “Free Eye Camp” activities. LG Display’s Polish unit has raised and donated funds to hospitals and children’s centers in the country.
The panel manufacturer has also sponsored Natalia Partyka, a Polish table tennis player who was born without a right hand and forearm, providing the financial support which is needed for the training activities for the Polish national hero.
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