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Catherine Tan

Earth Hour makes no cents…
The Earth Hour (EH) event is by far, one of the largest and most effective climate change campaigns I have ever seen (having been in a previous career spanning over 2 decades in event concepts & execution); at a flick of a switch, the entire Globe darkens : no effort, no investment, no logistical nightmares – just a very powerful message sent requiring no power at all, beat that.

‘…because change is hard.’
Earth Hour is not about decreasing energy consumption; it will be silly to think that that one hour can save the world. It is about sending a message, about communication, proactive and positive change, education…having said that, I also do believe that if one cannot be a part of the solution then let’s not contribute to the problem because today’s wastage is tomorrow’s shortage. The EH campaign may eventually allow not just one but many more, to see the many thousands of ways that one can influence change.

Taking a real stance to go Green
It is logical to take a stance about the environment, but taking responsibility for the climate change problems requires much more than just Earth Hour . Taking responsibility, on the other hand, doesn’t have to involve living in candlelight without electricity or running water.

We are working on it day-by-day…in the past 3 years, Datacraft Asia offices switched off a day before EH and left our offices in darkness during lunch time. This campaign received much attention especially so because EH is virtually unknown in Asia when we first started in 2008. We distributed candles to all staff, sent out eDMs and switched off the Friday just before EH. We deployed all existing resources to ‘scream & shout’ GREEN without incurring costs including IP Phone imaging. The results were satisfying and it drove us to want to engage in more exciting & refreshing activities the years that followed.

Datacraft Asia : ‘Green is the new Red
26th March 2011, 8:30pm, mark this date – As Datacraft Asia’s annual green tradition, we will be doubling the blackout period coupled with more staff engagement activities and awareness campaigning via social networks throughout the company and beyond.

Taking this initiative one step further, we are running a campaign on Datacraft’s Facebook page.

Click to make this your Facebook profile pictureYou can help support our Earth Hour initiative on Facebook by using this image as your profile picture during this period! Go spread the word to your colleagues and friends, and urge them to join us as Datacraft supports Earth Hour for the fourth consecutive year.

 

Catherine Tan

Catherine Tan oversees Datacraft’s Administration, Facilities, Business Continuity Plans as well as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs. With more than 20 years of experience in events conceptualization and execution, she leads the group through various initiatives and activities to create awareness and participation in community-related matters.


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In Datacraft Asia, we are taking baby steps and with each step, we achieve a little bit more.  When we took part in Earth Hour 3 years ago, our company was probably one of the few and there was no press mention about this event around town.  Datacraft has switched off for the 3rd consecutive year in 2010, Earth Hour is adopted as part of a national campaign in Singapore and more than 80 countries have joined in the cause to keep the globe green.  On 17th September, 3000+ DCA employees stood up in 50 over offices across 13 countries in the region to fight for a cause; to end poverty in the world. 

In 2008, we stood up with 4 million others around the world.  Last year, 173 million people stood up during this event, Datacraft included.  The campaign with corporate support can be extremely powerful.   

Another part of Datacraft’s CSR initiatives, we have partnered up with World Vision in 2005 adopting 80 children from around the world under the WV program.    In 2010, we are now the proud ‘parents’ of 153 children, the initial 80 included.  The program allows us to provide the necessary education, food and daily needs.   In Singapore, Datacraft Asia Pte Ltd and Datacraft Singapore Pte Ltd are among the top 10 WV sponsors.  Our India office has 35 children under their care and each of our Singapore & China offices takes care of the welfare of 22 children.

Meet some of our kids!

Our CSR Programs around Asia under ‘Carecraft’

Datacraft Thailand's Visit to Baan Nong-E-Lue School, Pakchgon, Nakornratchasrima

Here’s what Datacraft Thailand did during the visit:

  • Donated desktop PCs and stationery
  • Donated 6,500 THB for their School Lunch Program
  • Our engineers installed and set up IT equipments for the school
  • Employees interacted with the children

Datacraft Singapore's Fund Raising Car Wash at Melrose Home

US1,500 was raised in 6 hours!

During the Sichuan earthquake in 2008, Datacraft raised a total of USD90,000 donated through Red Cross for those who have suffered during the disaster.

It is our CEO’s dream to be able to adopt 1 child for every one person the company hires; I remember his 50th birthday invitation, it touched me :

“I’m not expecting or need any gifts but if you get the urge to give, (‘coz surviving to 50 is not such a bad achievement!), please sponsor a child with World Vision.  That would make me very happy. – Bill”

Do you have a CSR program?  We welcome you to join hands with us for a bigger and better tomorrow.

Catherine Tan

Catherine Tan oversees Datacraft’s Administration, Facilities, Business Continuity Plans as well as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs. With more than 20 years of experience in events conceptualization and execution, she leads the group through various initiatives and activities to create awareness and participation in community-related matters.


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Corporate Social Responsibility; an investment or a responsibility?

by Catherine Tan October 22, 2010 Datacraft News

Did you know that trains in Disneyland now run on biodiesel made with cooking oil from the resorts’ hotels and restaurants and they have a program primarily focusing on brightening the lives of under privileged children through global outreach programs, local community initiatives and the Disney VoluntEARS program? Can you imagine that it was 60 [...]

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Datacraft, are we ready?

by Catherine Tan September 30, 2010 Datacraft News

Unplanned events can have a devastating effect on businesses. Crises such as fire, damage to office premise, and IT system failure could all make it difficult or even impossible to carry out our normal day-to-day activities. With good planning, however, steps can be taken to minimize the potential impact of a disaster. Ideally, it should prevent [...]

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