Promotion of Science and Technology and Young People Development
Masahiko Fujiwara giving a lecture on the theme of "Children and the 21st Century."
The Mazda Foundation was founded in 1984 to foster the education of youth by promoting science and technology. The foundation aims to contribute to the creation of a society where global citizens share their prosperity and live an abundant and fulfilling life.
During FY2006, its activities spanned supporting research and sponsoring community activities, dispatching visiting lecturers to universities and hosting a symposium by the essayist and mathematician Masahiko Fujiwara. As of March 31, 2007, the Mazda Foundation had supported a cumulative total of 1,243 research projects, dispensing donations totaling ¥1,122.91 million.
- The Mazda Foundation's Principal Activities in FY2006
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Support for Science and Technology |
|
| Young People Development |
|
| Dispatching External Lecturers to Universities | At five universities, mainly in the Hiroshima area, the Mazda Foundation has arranged lectures on such themes as new views on technology, new theories of value and volunteer activities. These lectures have been held in cooperation with Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc.; IBM Japan, Ltd., Recruit Co., Ltd., the Hiroshima City Hitomachi Network, the Career Design Office, Mazda and other organizations. |
| Lecture Meetings | The Mazda Foundation holds lecture meetings to raise awareness of its activities. In FY2006, mathematician and essayist Masahiko Fujiwara was invited to lecture in Hiroshima. |
A class member observing Venus at Hiroshima University's Astrophysical Science Center.
The Mazda Foundation runs the Science Is Fun project with Hiroshima University. The project aims to foster children's passion for science at a young age and prevent them losing interest in science when they reach adolescence.
Among the science classes held in fiscal 2006 were: a look at the mysteries of space aimed at middle-school children and a class for high-school students on measuring, weighing and quantifying in which the students were asked to assess the volume of their drinking water.
Promotion of the Development of Young People and Educational Opportunities for Minorities
As we have expanded our business in the United States, we have always been conscious of the need to give something back to American society. This was the thinking behind the establishment of the Mazda Foundation USA in 1990.
To date, the Mazda Foundation USA has dispersed approximately $5.5 million, mostly to provide educational opportunities for minorities and to support young people's development.
Supporting Student Activities in Nature Conservation
A dedicated student volunteer in the nature conservation program
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is an NPO working to promote students' activities in nature conservation. The association provides opportunities for young people to become involved in environmental preservation activities, outdoor skills and leadership training. SCA has worked in cooperation with the Mazda Save Our American Resources program for 10 years. Together, the programs contribute to the conservation of natural resources by providing yearly economic support to conservation interns in state and national parks in all 50 U.S. states.
Support for Hispanic American Students
Scholarship recipients meeting with the president of Mazda Motor of America, Inc.
The Mazda Foundation USA cooperates with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund to promote higher education for Hispanic American citizens and to date has funded scholarships for Hispanic students at two universities.
The fund is being expanded to community colleges in the 2007-2008 academic year and students at four schools have become eligible to receive a scholarship.
American high-school students at the Mazda Museum tour
Since 1984, the Mazda Foundation USA has been offering the Mazda-YFU Scholarship program jointly with Youth For Understanding (YFU), a U.S.-based organization for high-school students, as part of its international cultural exchange activities.
During the 23 years that the program has been in operation, more than 200 U.S. high-school students have been able to experience cultural differences through home-stays in Japan. A highlight is a visit to the Hiroshima Head Office, which includes meeting Mazda's president and an explanation of the automobile manufacturing industry through a plant tour and other activities.
Personal Message
My involvement with the program began 10 years ago, when my child went to study overseas through this program. The really enthusiastic children steadily learn Japanese through their month-and-a-half stay and become close to the people around them. It's wonderful to see how well they adapt.
We visited the Mazda Museum again this year, and the students greatly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to working with Mazda so we can go on to make the program even better.
Kazuko Morishita
YFU Japan/Youth For Understanding International Exchange Japan
Support for Mental Health
The Mazda Foundation Australia began operations in 1990 and provides support for the wide-ranging charitable activities of organizations engaged in one of Australia's most pressing social issues. Since its establishment, the foundation has been strongly involved in various projects and campaigns throughout Australia, and in 2006 it provided substantial support for local mental-health support groups.
An example of the foundation's activities is its financial donation to the Supportive Friends for Primary School program run by the Stride Foundation, which supports young people in their struggles. This program is designed to prevent the onset of depression and other mental ailments by having older pupils, who have been trained, work with younger pupils, so that they provide mutual support for their development and enhance their self-esteem.
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