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The Mazda Foundation and its Activities
Mazda has established foundations in Japan, America and Australia, which support the progress of science and technology,
as well as health training among young people, education, nature and environmental conservation, and other activities.
The activities of the Mazda Foundation
The Mazda Foundation was formed in 1984 to offer support for
progress in science and technology as well as health training for
young people, with the objective of enabling people throughout the
world to share benefits and gain a richer understanding and way of
living as they create society together. To March 31, 2005, the
foundation had made 1,099 research grants, totaling 1.02 billion yen.
During FY 2004, we were engaged in the following projects.
Progress in science and technology
Research support
The Mazda Foundation supports basic and applied research in science and
technology where it is being used to find solutions that are considered
necessary for both contemporary and future life. During FY 2004, 30
research projects were sponsored, at a cost of 30 million yen.
Sponsorship given, by research area
Area
FY 2004
Materials
Electronics / information
Precision / mechanics
Total
179 projects
60 projects
62 projects
301 projects
17 projects
6 projects
7 projects
30 projects
(Left column shows the no. of applications. Right column shows no. of projects sponsored. Categorization done during decision-making process.)
Support for research meetings and workshops
The Foundation assists research meetings such as 'Experience Science'
events held by academic and research organizations in elementary, junior
high and senior high schools in the Chugoku region, and other projects that
are considered meaningful for promoting science and technology. The
Foundation sponsors either some or all of the costs involved in such
projects. During 2004, 9 projects were sponsored for a total of 900,000
Health training for young people
Research assistance
The Foundation supports research that is dedicated to providing health training for the
young people who will go to make up the next generation in universities and research
institutes around the country. We are building partnerships with local civilian action
groups, as well as researching opportunities to contribute in a practical way to civilian
activities, and during FY 2004, we contributed 4 million yen for five research projects.
Support for civilian activities
The Foundation offers support in the form of money, human
resources and know-how to activities taking place rooted in the
communities of Hiroshima and Yamaguchi prefectures, with the aim
of creating a better future for the youth who will make up the next
generation. During FY 2004, we supported 25 projects, for a total of
Lectures given in universities
The Foundation took part in a lecture series given in five universities in
and around Hiroshima, entitled 'New Perspectives on Technology', 'The
Theory of New Value Systems', and 'Volunteer Activities'. The series was
given by Chubu Electric Power Co., Ltd., Japan IBM, Recruit, Chugoku
Hakuhodo Foundation, the Hiroshima City People / Town Network
Foundation, the Career Design Office, Mazda, and other organizations.
Public lectures
The Foundation gives public lectures in order to raise people's
awareness of our work, and to assist people in understanding and
sharing our vision. During FY 2004, we celebrated the 20th year
since our inception, and to commemorate this, we invited the singer,
essayist and educationalist Agnes Chen to speak.
Foundation activities overseas
Mazda Foundation USA
The Foundation was established in 1990 as one way of contributing to
American society as a good corporate citizen. The Foundation offers
support for educational activities (support with tuition costs, literacy
programs and outdoor activities), and since 1998 has also been
supporting volunteer programs for environmental conservation.
Mazda Foundation Australia
The Foundation was established in Australia in 1990, with the objectives of
contributing to a richer life for the peoples of Australia, through supporting
youth education, progress in science and technology, and the conservation
of nature and the environment. Mazda Australia and Mazda dealerships
support various projects throughout the country based on donations.
Bringing the passion and the fun of science to children
The start of the Science is Fun project
The Mazda Foundation has begun to implement the Science is Fun project in partnership with
Hiroshima University, in which elementary, junior high and senior high school students are
encouraged to develop a passion for
science through having the
opportunity to enjoy science, a
subject which young people are
tending to move away from at the
moment. During the last fiscal year
we worked on preparing the project,
and on trials, and during FY 2004,
we implemented the following types
of programs.
Science Lectures
Lectures for junior high school students, designed to make science fun, included topics
such as Absolute Zero and superconductivity.
Science Classes, Junior Science Classes
Science specialists in different fields give four-part training courses in science to senior
high school and junior high school students.
Science education information network for elementary schools
We have built an information network that supplies science training and know-how
regarding experiments etc. to teachers at elementary schools
Support for science experience projects
We support private groups implementing scientific experience projects through joint
research and other methods.
Social & Environmental Report 2005