Social engagement on quality education
It was also part of BASF’s social engagement program, which supports projects having a lasting impact on society and offering learning opportunities for partners and BASF.
Long-term business success is closely linked with impact-oriented social activities. At BASF, we are committed to conducting our business responsibly and contribute to solving the current and future challenges in our society through social engagement activities.
Dr. Stephan Kothrade
President Functions Asia Pacific,
President and Chairman Greater China, BASF
It is part of the corporate culture of BASF to engage with the local community. When it was founded in 1865, the company voluntarily provided social services to its workers. Initially, these services included medical care, a safe working environment and qualified living conditions. Education and culture soon complemented BASF’s commitment even outside of company grounds.
As a founding member of the UN Global Compact, BASF concentrates its global social engagement on supporting the United Nations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. In 2017, the BASF Group spent €56 million (about ¥440 million) supporting various social engagement projects that reach out to as many people as possible and have long-term impact. These initiatives include donations, not-for-profit activities (Corporate Citizenship), as well as business-orientated projects (Starting Ventures).
> Find out more: Societal commitment
In Greater China, BASF focuses on supporting educational programs as outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #4, “Quality Education”. BASF holds the firm belief that education is key to personal success and social sustainability. As the world's leading chemical company, BASF aims to inspire people's interest and cultivate their curiosity in science.
BASF Kids’ Lab, the signature annual science education program, has been running in Greater China for 15 years. About 170,000 children between ages six and 12 have participated in this annual program. In addition, BASF’s “Goodwill Teacher” employee volunteer program has been supporting the “Intellectual Assistance to the Disabled” initiative, organized by the Shanghai Association of Persons with Physical Disability, for more than 10 years.
In 2018, BASF also unfolded a new chapter in social commitment in Greater China.
Scientific methods and spirits are very useful for the public to comprehend science and utilize rational thinking and communication. This is the original intention of BASF for the cooperation, which also coincides with the mission of Songshuhui.
Wu Ou, president of Songshuhui and deputy chief editor of Guokr.com
As the enhancement of scientific literacy and the popularization of scientific knowledge are the focuses of citizen education, in 2017 BASF partnered with the Songshuhui-Association of Science Communicators to promote public education in science.
Why does truth always run slower than rumors? What is science？Does the scientific knowledge you’ve learned equate to science?”
In December 2017 and January 2018, two sessions of “Don’t be deceived by your logic – Explore Scientific Spirit and Scientific Thinking” science salon was held respectively in Beijing and Shanghai, joining forces with distinguished scientists and senior science communicators in search of scientific spirit and beauty of science.
The live science salons attracted more than 200 participants and the online discussion on scientific thinking has so far generated more than 7 million views.
Water preservation and drinking water safety are closely related to our daily life. NPI Foundation is excited about our partnership with BASF to promote public water education. Our common mission is to benefit more members of the community and society via science education activity participation, especially the younger generation who will build our future.
Ding Li, Executive Director, NPI Foundation
At the beginning of 2018, BASF and the NPI Foundation, a famous charity venture and social incubator in China, co-launched the “Clean Water Class” public education program in Shanghai. It is an interactive education program designed for all age groups to raise their awareness on the urgency of water conservation, understand the importance of water saving and conservation, raise environmental awareness and make lifestyle more sustainable.
