Jean Li – Administration Executive, Jebsen Wines & Spirits
After being appointed as one of Jebsen’s first CSR Ambassadors in August 2013, I had the chance to go for a joint CSR training with the World Green Organisation (WGO) in Hong Kong. I’ve been to Hong Kong many times previously but this trip in January 2014 was by far the most meaningful. It showed me a side of the city that I would have never imagined–quiet, natural and fresh.
WGO’s green house is exactly as its name suggests–green. Against green painted walls were plenty of plants, colorful paintings and creative little ornaments. It exudes a sense of peace and tranquility and it was in this setting that we had the chance to hear from two leaders in the field. Professor Yu and Ms Yang’s sharing really deepened my understanding of CSR. I learnt that for businesses, CSR has to be more than just branding. No company can exist independently of society and nature so only by improving our living environment will businesses find sustainable success.
I’m glad to say that this is what we believe in at Jebsen. CSR is slowly but steadily becoming a way of life for many of us. As an individual, there is a limit to what I can do but as a CSR Ambassador, I’m able to promote and organise activities that will help more colleagues understand and embrace volunteerism. Personally, I hope to make CSR a more accessible concept: to show people that even the smallest effort on their part can make a big difference collectively.
I think this was very evident during our recent CSR trip to Shangri-La, Yunnan Province. This was the first Jebsen-CERS (China Exploration and Research Society) field trip and 11 of us from across the Group volunteered to visit the cultural and nature conservancy site. For five days, we visited Zhongdian Centre, Black-necked Crane Site, Lisu Hill Tribe and even had an up-close encounter with the Yunnan Golden Monkey!
It was such a memorable ecological culture trip. I believe all of us left with a stronger desire and better understanding of how to cherish and protect our cultural and natural heritage. It helps that Jebsen continually involves its people in CSR activities, opening our eyes to the great work that CSR partners like CERS are doing and giving us the opportunity to be involved. Together, we can really make the world a better place!