Dow Greater China was honored with the corporate social responsibility Leadership Award at the seventh annual AmCham Shanghai CSR Awards Ceremony this month.

With its sound strategic governance, fair operating practices and excellent CSR programs that have had a profound social impact, Dow stood out from the six finalists, winning prominent nationwide recognition and setting a good example for the corporate community in China, said Peter Sykes, president of Dow Greater China, who received the award on behalf of the company.

"Dow Chemical has clearly committed to advancing social responsibility and sustainability along its supply chain and within the communities it serves. We applaud the extraordinary efforts that Dow Chemical has made. Dow Chemical is a great example of how American companies in China can give back to society in a meaningful way," said Brenda Foster, president of AmCham Shanghai

Established in 2005, the AmCham Shanghai CSR Awards aim to encourage CSR development in China.

This year's judging panel consisted of government officials, senior practitioners and scholars from the public, private and nonprofit sectors. After a six-week period of careful evaluation, finalists were selected from a strong field of more than 60 nominees who exemplified best practices in the areas of CSR strategy, corporate governance, fair workplace practices, as well as environmental and social impact.

Six multinational corporations including Citibank, Dell, GE, Eaton and Johnson & Johnson were selected as finalists, competing for the AmCham Shanghai CSR Leadership Award. After much deliberation, Dow was selected as the winner of the prestigious accolade.

Dow's ceaseless CSR efforts include helping to improve the environmental, health and safety performance of Chinese industries, teaching sustainability courses in primary schools, building homes for the homeless and responding quickly to provide aid to people in disaster-stricken areas.

For example, the Hazardous Chemicals Safety Management Project, jointly launched by Dow and the China State Administration of Work Safety, has benefited more than 50 small and medium enterprises and more than 2,000 hazardous chemical safety regulators and managers, helping raise the bar for the chemical industry in China, Sykes said.

Dow also rebuilt three Project Hope Schools in the earthquake-devastated areas of Sichuan province, which benefited more than 1,000 primary and high school students from more than 20 neighboring villages.

The Shanghai Age-friendly Housing Project was nominated by AmCham Shanghai for the Partnership Award this year. Through this exemplary CSR project, Dow renovated 25 homes for elderly residents in Shanghai.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, known as the "Voice of American Business" in China, is the largest and fastest growing American Chamber in the Asia-Pacific region.

Founded in 1915, AmCham Shanghai was the third American Chamber established outside the United States.

As a nonprofit, nonpartisan business organization, AmCham Shanghai is committed to the principles of free trade, open markets, private enterprise and the unrestricted flow of information.

huangzhiling@chinadaily.com.cn