In 2011, CDL continued to support and initiate numerous cross-sector projects with developmental objectives, direct engagement with beneficiaries, and dialogues with stakeholders for a sustained impact. CDL’s four key areas of the environment, youth development, the less fortunate and the arts remained central in all our community investments.
THE ENVIRONMENT
In partnership with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Government agencies in 2011, CDL continued to sustain our commitment to raise environmental awareness and conservation. Activities included:(1) CASP
A committed partner of the National Environment Agency (NEA)’s Corporate & School Partnership (CASP) since 2005, CDL adopted five schools and helped them to nurture environmental interest and action through environmental projects that each school embarks on each year for the annual Clean and Green Singapore Schools’ Carnival, which attracted over 10,000 visitors in 2011. CDL also sponsored the Climate Change Photography Competition at the Carnival.
(2) CDL E-Generation Challenge
Back for the second year in 2011, CDL E-Generation Challenge drew 280 youths from over 10 tertiary institutions to CDL’s annual green rally which aims to provide youths a fun platform to foster eco-consciousness. Participating students faced various green challenges in the form of tasks, quizzes and activities which focused on six sustainability topics, namely Energy, Water, Shelter (Buildings), Biodiversity, Waste and Food. This annual event was also supported by NEA.
In 2011, CDL continued to support environmental conservation by working with many partners on various programmes and events.
(3) Project: Eco-Office
Initiated by CDL and our NGO partner Singapore Environment Council (SEC) in 2002, Project: Eco-Office has been targeting office workers in Singapore to adopt eco-friendly practices in the office. Through the wide distribution of the Eco-Office Kit, launch of an online Eco-Office Audit, Green Office Label Certification and numerous awareness campaigns, some 110 offices have received the Eco-Office Certificates to date, a commendable number from just four awardees (including CDL), when it was first launched in 2005.
(4) Earth Hour
CDL has been supporting World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)’s Earth Hour campaign by engaging various stakeholders since its launch in Singapore in 2008. In addition to the 98% tenant participation rate at 13 CDL buildings during the Earth Hour 2011, the Company initiated “Half-Hour Off” to encourage tenants to turn off their air-conditioners for half an hour on Friday, 25 March in the same 13 buildings. On average, 75% of the tenants in these buildings participated in this initiative, with 100% from three buildings.
Other organisations CDL has engaged and supported include China Exploration & Research Society (CERS), Eco-business.com, ECOplosion, Environmental Challenge Organisation (Singapore), Nature Society (Singapore) and Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA).
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
CDL believes in the importance of youth development and nurturing the new generation of business and community leaders.In March 2011, CDL launched the inaugural CDL-Singapore Compact Young CSR Leaders Award. A total of 27 teams, made up of 143 students, submitted their CSR proposals on Singapore-based Small, Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) representing a diverse range of industries. 10 short-listed teams were assigned to their respective SMEs for the short work attachments and mentored by CSR consultants who helped refine and improve their proposals. The winners were presented their awards during the opening ceremony at the Singapore Compact CSR Summit which was attended by some 300 delegates representing the government, business, NGO, media and academic institution sectors.
CDL also extended our support to a growing number of youth-led community developmental projects in Singapore and abroad in 2011. More details can be found in Chapter 3: Impacts.
CHARITY
CDL has sustained our corporate volunteering culture through City Sunshine Club (CSC). Since 1999, CSC has provided a pro-giving platform for CDL's employees and their families to contribute to the community through various forms of support for the sick, elderly, the disadvantaged children and youth-at-risk on a sustained basis.In recognition of CDL’s long-term commitment in community engagement and contributions, we were conferred the Merit Award by the Lions Befrienders Service Association (Singapore). The Befriending Programme reaches out to about 2,500 lonely seniors through weekly visitations by 1,200 volunteers nation-wide. CDL has participated in the monthly food distribution and befriending programme since 1999.
As a long-standing partner of Assisi Hospice since 1999, CDL and our subsidiary company, CBM Pte Ltd, once again co-organised the annual Charity Fun Day held on 19 June 2011, for families to revel in a day of fun and to engage in the spirit of giving. While CBM Pte Ltd provided services in the areas of cleaning management as well as carpark and traffic control, CDL together with our sister hotels took up eight stalls to sell delicacies manned by over 200 CDL volunteers.
With a plethora of stalls ranging from delectable cuisines, handicraft, games, apparel to jumble sales, the Assisi Charity Fun Day raised over S$800,000 for the expansion and improvement of the Hospice’s three core services, in-patient care, home care and day care centres relieving the Hospice of a huge bulk of expenses especially with a rising number of adult and pediatric patients requiring hospice care.
In November 2011, volunteers from CDL participated in a unique sleepover programme at Jurong Bird Park with a group of 30 children from Dreams @ Kolam Ayer, organised by CSC as part of the Club’s on-going character development activities for these less-privileged children. The programme involved a sumptuous buffet spread for everyone and a Night Walk of Confidence where the children learnt to overcome their fear as they were guided in pitch darkness by CSC volunteers. CSC also organised activities for different groups of children nd youths, on their outings to City Square Mall such as a Sesame Street colouring and green handicraft workshop.
Beyond the activities of CSC, CDL also supported numerous worthy fundraising events, campaigns and long-term projects in collaboration with partners including the Arc Children’s Centre, Boys’ Brigade, Children’s Aid Society, Asian Women’s Welfare Association, Henderson Senior Citizens’ Home, Man Fut Tong Nursing Home and Viriya Community Services.
In addition, the sale of 60 copies of the latest edition of “Heart Voyage” photo art book series raised some S$300,000 for President’s Challenge in 2011. Collectively, this initiative has raised over S$550,000 for President’s Challenge through the sale of the three volumes of the “Heart Voyage” art book.
THE ARTS
CDL has long been a strong supporter of the arts scene in Singapore. CDL has initiated two signature arts projects, namely, the CDL Singapore Sculpture Award in 2002 and the Singapore Youth Photographer Award (SYPA) in 2006 to nurture artistic talents in Singapore. In 2011, SYPA 2012 was launched, offering new categories and exciting themes. This biennial award has evolved to cast a larger net to capture more young and budding photographic talents. Its aim remains to nurture young photographers as well as elevate the standard of photography in Singapore.To commemorate the milestone railway land swap between Singapore and Malaysia and preserve the historical significance of the railway in Singapore, CDL’s Managing Director Kwek Leng Joo teamed up with established watercolourist, Ong Kim Seng and presented a joint photo-cum-water painting exhibition titled “Tracking Memories” at the National Museum of Singapore.
The winning work of the 4th CDL Singapore Sculpture Award, "An Enclosure for a Swing" by Kevin Lim was commissioned and completed before the official opening of the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park in March 2012. To date, CDL has commissioned five sculptures sited in public spaces.