Panasonic conducts a variety of educational programs including the Kid Witness News Program, the Eco Picture Diary Contest, the Jump Rope Competition and the Global Eco Learning Program under the umbrella scheme of "Panasonic Kids School." Amongst the programs, the 'World Heritage Eco Learning Programme' promoted by Panasonic under the strategic partnership with UNESCO is actively promoted in various parts of the world.
On 21 June 2013, at two World Heritage sites, My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An Ancient Town - Quang Nam Province, Panasonic Vietnam in cooperation with UNESCO Hanoi Office organized the Eco Learning Program on UNESCO World Heritage Sites for secondary students in Vietnam. During the program many joint events such as an Art contest and media training seminar for video shooting to support the world heritage administration activities were also held to increase awareness to the younger generation. The event was a great success with representatives from government authorities of Quang Nam province, Heritage site management board, department of Education and Training as well as UNESCO Hanoi Office attending. On top of that over 130 teachers and students of secondary schools in Hoi An city, Duy Xuyen commune and Hanoi Capital took part in the hands-on learning program.
- View the Video Report
Eco Learning Program at UNESCO World Heritage My Son Sanctuary
In the morning, students joined in a tour to discover the Outstanding Universal Value of the My Son Sanctuary, which was entered in the World Heritage List of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1999. My Son Sanctuary is located in a small valley with a natural spring surrounded by mountains. On top of the beautiful nature, eight groups of 71 standing monuments remain at the site, built throughout the 7th to 13th centuries in fired brick with stone pillars and decorated with scenes depicting Hindu Mythology.
Students learning about the architectural design of the My Son sanctuary
Students joining the program learned about the architectural design of the sanctuary, Cham ornamentation and iconography. Although the subject-matter of Cham ornamentation is drawn mostly from Hinduism, some sculptural work reflect the legendary themes more typical of Javanese or Khmer Art. After discovering the historical and architectural value of the heritage site, students further learned about the cultural of ancient Champa Kingdom by enjoying traditional performance of Cham people.
- The students participating in this program
In the afternoon, in the Ancient Town of Hoi An, a "living heritage" that still preserves traditional lifestyle as in 19th century, participants were given a lecture in the "UNESCO World Heritage Eco Learning Program" provided by Panasonic Vietnam learning about World Heritage sites and impact of global climate change on these humanity's treasures.
- Active participation by students in the lecture and team competition
There was active participation in the lecture and team competition, regardless of the differences in age, region of upbring or grades as the participants all had the same concern about preserving world heritages, environment and will to make a better future. The enthusiasm of the participants also propelled staff from Panasonic Vietnam to continue to initiate the Eco Learning Programme to the younger generation in Vietnam.
Media Training
In parallel to the Eco Learning program, Panasonic also conducted a special global program - "Media training" for fifteen young conservation staffs from My Son and Hoi An heritage management board. The program aims at enhacing the skills of My Son and Hoi An heritage site management boards in photography and editing technical skills in order to promote global activities for the World Heritage Volunteer program. Through the program, the management staff could also gain hands-on experience on the importance of leaving behind a form of visual images of the World Heritage Sites for the next generation.
Heritage in Your Hand" Art Contest
- Celebrate Art contest winners with UNESCO Ms. Irina Bokova of UNESCO General Director
In parallel to the Eco learning program, both Panasonic Vietnam and UNESCO Hanoi office have been promoting to enhance collaboration activities not only through the World Heritage Eco Learning program but also many joint programs such as the "Heritage in Your Hand" Art contest to support the next generation and World Heritage conservation aims. In the evening of June 21, with the attendance of Ms. Irina Bokova - General Director of UNESCO and Ms Katherine Muller-Marin - General Director of UNESCO Hanoi office, an award ceremony for the "Heritage in Your Hand" Art Contest was organized to celebrate the winners midst the Quang Nam Festival "2013 Heritage Tour".
Under the renewed partnership contract between UNESCO and Panasonic Corporation, Panasonic Vietnam with further enhance the relationship with the UNESCO Hanoi office to contribute for the next generation together by various activities to support world heritage conservation program in Vietnam.