Companies are also members of society. Cooperation from local communities is necessary to create a better society.

Matsuo: For the AGC Group, the pursuit of its group vision "Look Beyond" represents the fulfillment of its CSR. In our Aspirations for 2020, we committed ourselves to contributing to the development of fast-growing regions while, in our Social Contribution Basic Policy, we listed “support for the next generation,” “harmony with local communities,” and “natural environment conservation” as the priority areas for our social contribution activities. Today, through dialogue with all of you here, we would like to search for a new direction for the AGC Group's CSR activities.

Adachi: First of all, I would like to thank you all for your deep understanding of AFT's business operations. AFT, as one of the oldest Japanese-owned companies operating in Thailand, has a rather long history and will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its foundation in 2013. At AFT, we are conducting both internal and external activities based on the CSR-DIW, the CSR standard implemented in Thailand, as well as in line with the AGC Group Charter of Corporate Behavior, which provides for “Sincere Behavior,” “Environment and Safety,” “Respect for People” and “Harmony with Society.”

June: AFT regards it necessary to take the following four steps to fulfill its CSR: to comply with the law, to fulfill its economic role, to act according to the AGC Group Charter of Corporate Behavior and to foster volunteer activities. We have been engaged in activities to ensure safety and conserve energy at our manufacturing facilities based on the Charter of Corporate Behavior. We also began conducting volunteer activities in 2004 and planted trees and released fish with local children. At present we are implementing the Open Kids' Vision program, which includes an activity to provide children living in a forest area with the opportunity to visit the sea, and we feel so happy when we see the smiles of children. In order to create a better society, I believe all of us need to cooperate together.

Focusing on CSR in corporate strategy leads to conducting corporate activities in line with the policies of the Thai government.

Teera: I am in charge of the CSR-DIW project at the Thai Ministry of Industry. It is not easy for companies to obtain CSR-DIW certification, but AFT obtained it in 2009 as a result of passionately engaging in CSR activities over long years since 1990. For those of us who developed the CSR-DIW, it is a great pleasure to see companies implement the philosophy of “sufficiency economy,” which is advocated by the king of Thailand, toward sustainable development in their CSR activities. The concept of “sufficiency economy” encourages us to lead moderate lives without greed and to pursue moderate economic development and growth in a self-reliant and sustainable manner. The Ministry of Industry is applying this concept to local industrial fields.

Chartchai: I think “sufficiency economy” means to keep a good balance in every aspect of our lives. Our community has been implementing two programs in collaboration with AFT. The first program is the Open Kids' Vision program, in which we invite children of a branch school in Laivo, a forest village located in the western part of Thailand to our town for mutual exchange. In the town, we are implementing the philosophy of “sufficiency economy.” In the second program, we are growing mangrove trees in our community, which is located near the sea. AFT kindly provides us with funds for the programs and sends its employees and their families to us as volunteers. I met June of AFT in 2009 and began working with her, and it was than that I recognized that companies could take the initiative in local activities for the first time in my life. Companies and local communities can achieve great results and continue to do so through mutual cooperation. In order to create a society in which people can live happily, it is essential to ensure its stability, for which companies are expected to operate their businesses in a sustainable manner.

Komphan: I am the vice school director at the branch school in Laivo. The programs we have developed with AFT, including the Open Kids' Vision, are based on the concept that education gives individuals and local communities broader possibilities and helps them lead fulfilling and sustainable lives. Our village is located in a remote mountainous area and transport links are very limited. We are thus leading very inconvenient and difficult lives. AFT kindly visited our village and provided us with a range of opportunities, including those related to educating the youth and supporting the lives of local people. I would like to continue implementing the programs with AFT.

Nadhakan: I specialize in the study of CSR of listed companies. AFT focuses on CSR in its corporate strategy, which I believe is propelling its CSR activities and leading to the success of various CSR programs. The Thai economy is continuing to grow by around 7% a year, but there are concerns that GDP growth will eventually slow down and that the subsequent sluggish economy would badly affect people's lives. If this becomes a reality, it is important for companies to help people overcome difficulties through their CSR activities. For the recovery of economy, the government needs to collaborate with the private sector in addition to making its own efforts. I think that companies operating in Thailand must tackle the following two themes in their CSR activities, namely “mitigation of poverty” and “support for the education of the young.” In this regard, AFT is truly meeting the local needs toward further development of local communities. The company does not only give financial support to children but also provides them with various opportunities, including opportunities to engage with nature. The company is investing for future society through these activities, and I therefore believe that these activities are really meaningful. Both AFT and local communities will be able to achieve sustainable development by forming a good partnership and fostering collaboration with each other.

Coming close to the ideal corporate image by advancing CSR activities in collaboration with stakeholders.

Pairatpong: AFT is now conducting CSR activities in partnership with local communities, but the situation was quite different when the company began conducting such activities 10 years ago. At that time, the company was simply donating money and implementing measures to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and the in-house code of conduct. Gradually, however, those responsible at the company began to examine in which area of CSR activities they had strengths and what specific contributions they could make to society. They began to understand the importance of providing people with opportunities for capacity building and of providing the necessary support. Our ultimate goal in CSR activities is to help create a peaceful society in which people can live independently and in an equal manner. I believe AFT has been making better use of its resources, knowledge and expertise in its CSR activities. In other words, the company has been able to distribute its profit in an appropriate manner to its stakeholders. Through CSR activities, employees of the company have been increasing their awareness of the fact that they are also members of the local community, which encourages them to contribute not only to the company but also to society. In conducting CSR activities over 10 years, AFT is coming closer to the ideal image of a corporation in terms of CSR, moving up the levels from simply fulfilling corporate responsibilities. Through collaboration with a range of stakeholders, we have thus advanced our CSR activities.

June: AFT has a strong driving force for CSR activities. At AFT everyone has a deep understanding of CSR, and I receive strong support from my directors and colleagues, who are all proactively participating in CSR activities. The local community also shows understanding to AFT and kindly supports its activities. As for the Open Kid's Vision, it took us four hours or more to reach Laivo by four-wheel-drive vehicle and on foot, but I felt so happy when I was welcomed by villagers and saw the smiles of children. I was really lucky to be able to engage in such a wonderful program and feel so grateful for it. I would like to continue to tackle various challenges.

Adachi: For AFT, CSR activities are not merely charitable activities but represent a part of its corporate value. We will continue to conduct CSR activities while fostering communication with local people, the Thai government, and Asahi Glass in Japan.

What is done for the benefit of children eventually benefits the entire country. Continued support activities and more proactive dissemination of information are expected.

Teera: This is the first time I have participated in a stakeholder dialogue meeting, and I think this kind of meeting provides stakeholders with a very good opportunity to share their experience. I participated in the meeting in my capacity as an official of the Ministry of Industry, and the meeting has made me recognize that companies and local communities, which both support Thai society, are cooperating together to create a sustainable society by pursuing well-balanced growth in all social, environmental and economic spheres.

Chartchai: AFT kindly built a school in our village, and several years after that, the company again visited us to propose providing the pupils of the school in Laivo with an opportunity to learn about the concept of “sufficiency economy” advocated by the king. At first I could not believe that a company would do such a thing, but now I can understand why AFT made such a proposal to us. AFT is cooperating with us in a very proactive and generous manner. To support the education of the young means to make investments for the future of society and AFT is contributing to the entire society by helping young people display more of their abilities.

Nadhakan: What AFT did for the children not only benefits the children themselves, but also benefits the entire country. I want the company to introduce its activities on its website so that more people can share information about the activities.

Komphan: The activities supported by AFT are also very valuable for us because villagers and other stakeholders can all participate in the activities together. I want AFT to continue their support activities and expect the AGC Group to implement similar programs also in other counties based on it supreme philosophy on CSR.

Praiwan: I live in a forest area and I have never participated in such a dialogue meeting as this one. I would like to share what I experienced today with other villagers. The activities that were conducted for children, thanks to support from AFT, are all very wonderful and useful to shape the better future for children.

Matsuo: After directly talking with officials of the Ministry of Industry and people from local communities, I am now convinced that AFT is conducting advanced CSR activities. This is our first stakeholder dialogue meeting held outside Japan and, by sharing the results of this meeting on a global scale, we will further advance the entire AGC Group's CSR initiatives.

In response to the opinions we received from the stakeholders who participated in the dialogue meeting, we will examine the measures to achieve the following.

Opinion 1 “I want AFT's CSR activities to be more widely introduced to people in the world, including those in Thailand.”

Opinion 2 “Supporting the development of the youth is an issue to be tackled by the entire society and I want AFT to continue its activity to support it in cooperation with a lot of people.”