2016 “Green Volunteers 19th Cohort” Report
The Green Volunteers, dispatched to China every year by the Fujifilm Workers’ Union as one part of its social contribution activities, is a symbolic activity that has continued for 19 years. The site of the activity will change from next year, making this the last year for the team to be dispatched to the Inner Mongolia, China that we have been visiting for many years; in addition, this was the 10th year of the local organization’s reforestation activities, thus it was a particularly commemorative year for the Green Volunteers.
The 19th cohort in 2016 was over the period July 30 to August 3, and reforestation activities were carried out in the Horqin Desert in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
A total of 16 members from Japan participated, including 12 members of the Fujifilm Workers’ Union, one member of the Fujifilm Cooperative, and three members of the company-based union affiliated with the Fujifilm Group Workers’ Union. In addition, 25 employees from Fujifilm’s Chinese subsidiary, FUJIFILM (China) Investment Co., Ltd. (FFCN), which is also involved in reforestation activities in the Horqin Desert, and we collaborated on work such as planting pine trees, maintenance work on pine trees that had been planted by previous teams, and pruning poplar trees.
This year, the activities of the Fujifilm Workers’ Union will reach a milestone in addition to this being the 10th year of reforestation activities of FFCN, thus a celebration was held at the hotel and a monument was raised on the land to celebrate each group’s activities. We believe that through this activity, which was started as an overseas activity of the Fujifilm Workers’ Union, we were able to pass the torch onto FFCN.
Lecture on how to plant pine trees
Everyone works together in a bucket relay
Lunch time in between work
Start of the commemoration ceremony
A banner was presented by the Fujifilm Workers’ Union
Unveiling of the monument
VOICES
Finance Shared Service Department
Fixed Asset Accounting Group, FF Accounting and Finance Center
Toshiya Tanaka
I heard that this would be the last year of the activity in China, so I participated for the second consecutive year.
In speaking with the local staff, they often told me of their appreciation for these activities thus far, and I realized that these activities, which we had taken over from our senior colleagues, has taken root in this region and has contributed to reforestation activities.
Although it was only over five days, it was very inspiring to spend time in a completely different environment from my regular life. I would like to continue to experience different cultures and broaden my core values through various activities.
Medical Systems Research & Development Center
Endoscope Development
Yoshihiro Ueda
An acquaintance invited me to participate in this opportunity.
In actually participating, I experienced a different culture through the activities of the Green Volunteers, felt a sense of history, interacted with local people, and enjoyed delicious local food. The experience was different from a typical sightseeing trip and I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent there. In addition, I felt a sense of accomplishment and learned from the volunteer activities.
I think that these wonderful activities are thanks to the trustworthy relationships we have built with the local people through many years of activities.
Chief Secretary, Kaisei Branch
Yutaro Norizuki
I participated as a lead staff member as it was a milestone for the China program.
This was my first time to participate, but once on site, I was able to sense the importance of the activities that my senior colleagues have continued over the years. Also, being able to interact with local people was a fresh and valuable experience for me because I have had little interaction with people from foreign countries.
This is the last time that the team will be sent to China, but I would like to continue to promote these activities so that more people can experience the importance of social contribution activities.