Investing in the Future Our main program areas are "Support for Fostering Creativity" and "Environmental Protection"
Nissan is working to be a company that is valued by society and recognized for excellence. The contribution we make through our economic activity is one of the ways we work to realize this goal. However, this contribution alone is not enough. We need to foster a number of activities and find more ways to contribute to society. However, it is difficult to respond at once to all the concerns of those who interact with Nissan.
Therefore, we are focusing on three key activities for Nissan: "fostering creativity of children and young people," "promoting a better understanding of environmental protection," and "providing humanitarian relief." It is our wish that children and young people should engage in a number of different experiences, which will, with time, enhance their opportunity to realize their dreams. We believe that such activities are an important investment in the future.
NISSAN Children's Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix
Illustration:Yutaka Sugita
"Nissan Children's Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix" is a contest for amateur storybook authors and was started in 1984 in cooperation with the International Institute for Children's Literature, Osaka. Winning works are published and donated to libraries across Japan as well as to kindergartens and nursery schools near Nissan's places of business.
For more information, please visit "Nissan Children's Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix" site.
NISSAN Joyful Storybook and Picture Book Exhibition
This event was initiated at the National Children's Castle in Tokyo in 1992 to introduce to the public the prize-winning entries of the Nissan Children's Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix and other outstanding children's books. The work of planning, organizing and conducting the exhibition, specifically designed to be stimulating and enjoyable for children, is done in cooperation with the staff specialists at the National Children's Castle.
In addition to displaying many outstanding storybooks and picture books, creative workshops for children are also held. This exhibition is now a popular spring vacation event, attracting some 30,000 children and parents every year. Nissan employee volunteers and children together enjoy the experience of being creative in the workshops, which make the most of the company's position as a vehicle manufacturer. Scrap materials at Nissan are recycled to make exhibits for display and for use as workshop materials. Nissan employees knowledgeable in design and craftsmanship also take part in conducting the workshops.
The Science of Survival
Nissan is a co-sponsor of "The Science of Survival", which opens at the Science Museum, London, from April 2008. The exhibition which explores "what your lifestyles could be (how you will be surviving) in 2050", will embark on a five-year global tour to visit 20 venues. The exhibition is expected to welcome about 4 million visitors, as they journey into the world of 2050.
Hans Christian Andersen Awards
Photo courtesy of Asahi Shimbun Co., Ltd.
Since 1992, Nissan has been the main sponsor of the Hans Christian Andersen Awards, dubbed the "Little Noble Prizes," as the paramount international awards for children's books. The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) presents the Hans Christian Andersen Awards biennially to an author and an illustrator who have made distinguished contributions in the area of children's literature through their creative work.
Promoting a Better Understanding of Environmental Protection
To promote activities aimed at deepening the understanding of environmental protection, we support environment education at schools.
Nissan supports the All-Japan School Biotope Contest organized by the Ecosystem Conservation Society-Japan as part of children's education about the environment.
NISSAN employees assist with the comprehensive education curriculum at elementary schools by giving a special lesson under the theme of environmental protection.
Nissan Monozukuri Caravan
"Nissan Monozukuri Caravan" is a visiting style educational program for elementary school fifth grade students in Kanagawa Prefecture, to allow them to experience the fun of Monozukuri.
Karuizawa Arts Festival 2007
Nissan supports Karuizawa Arts Festival 2007, which is held from 20 to 26 August, 2007 in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture.
NISSAN-NPO Learning Scholarship Program
"Nissan-NPO Learning Scholarship Program" is an internship program that we recruit students who want first-hand experience at an NPO and provide scholarships to the students. The program gives young people an opportunity to develop their creativity and their ability to thing critically, and to act on their own initiative.
Nissan NPO Learning Scholarship program was concluded from 2008.
