“Community Involvement and Philanthropy” Forum
Organized by the Macao Polytechnic Institute and supported by the Liaison Office the Central People's Government in the Macao S.A.R, and hosted by Wynn Macau Limited, the "Forum on Macao Integrated Tourism & Leisure Enterprises and Social Responsibility" was successfully held at 3 p.m. on 15 February 2017 at the Grand Ballroom in Wynn Macau. This latest forum in the series featured the theme of "Community Involvement and Philanthropy". Participating organizations that also made a presentation at the Forum included (in order of their presentation) Wynn Macau Limited, Melco Crown Entertainment, Galaxy Entertainment Group, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau S.A., Sands China Limited, MGM, Macau Federation of Trade Unions and Macau Polytechnic Institute. The objective of the forum has been to promote the commitments and efficiency of Macao's integrated tourism and leisure enterprises in the area of social responsibility, so as to give the industry, local residents and visitors a better understanding of their contributions to charity commitments and their assistance to the disadvantaged groups in Macao.
The opening ceremony of the forum was officiated by Mr. Yao Jian, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R.; Mr. Leong Vai Tac, Secretary for Economy and Finance; Professor Lei Heong Iok, President of Macao Polytechnic Institute and Ms. Linda Chen, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Wynn Macau Ltd. Other guests included Ms Teng Nga Kan, Chief of Office of Secretariat for Economy and Finance; Mr. Liu Bin, Head of Division for Economy of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R. and Mr. Paulo Martins Chan, Director of Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. Representatives from the Federation of Trade Unions and other participating tourism and leisure enterprises also attended the opening ceremony of the forum, including Mr. Chan Kam Meng, President of the Federation of Trade Unions; Mr. Grant Chum, Chief of Staff of Sands China Ltd; Mr. Grant Bowie, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Ltd; Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Melco Crown Entertainment; Ms. Angela Leong, Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer of Sociedade de Jogos de Macau S.A. (Representatives from integrated tourism and leisure enterprises are listed in the order of their company names in Chinese).
The development of tourism and leisure industries in Macao has helped to improve the employment rate of Macao residents and raise their income level, thus contributing to boosting Macao's economic development. These gaming operators have made considerable efforts on projects in alignment with the SAR government's strategic goals towards developing its economy with moderate diversification and ultimately constructing Macao into a world center of tourism and leisure. These efforts on their parts are gradually paying off. Meanwhile, the integrated tourism and leisure enterprises have spared no effort in carrying out a variety of charity projects, by offering donations and funds, and by encouraging their own employees to participate actively in caring for the vulnerable groups in the community, so that more and more local residents could receive warmth and love from the whole society. The Macao Polytechnic Institute also aims to improve students' humanitarian quality and to encourage students to understand the community through charity work, and to integrate more effectively into the community so as to serve it whole-heartedly. These charitable projects have helped many groups in need, but more importantly they have also allowed employees, students, and their families to actively participate in public welfare projects, thus steadfastly carrying forward the fine tradition of charity, which will contribute to building Macao into a harmonious community.
During the Forum, representatives of the participating integrated tourism and leisure enterprises have introduced their various measures of charity work and their assistance provided to the Macao community. These have included the following (listed in their presentation order):
Wynn Macau Limited
Since its foundation in Macao, Wynn has always attached great importance to corporate social responsibility. In 2010, the company set up the Wynn Volunteer Team to encourage employees to use their spare time to promote their philanthropy love towards four sectors, including serving the elderly, serving children and youths, serving people recovering from mental illness and the disabled, as well as efforts in animal protection. At present, the number of volunteers has increased from originally 200 since its inception to over 800.
Over the years, Wynn volunteers have focused their service on these four pillar target groups of recipients by launching various types of charity and community projects. So far, it has launched over 40 volunteer activities annually. Over the past six years since the establishment of the Volunteer Team, the number of volunteer service hours has amounted to nearly 12,000 hours.
Looking to the future, Wynn is resolved to further expand the size of its volunteer team, and to deepen the level of its volunteer work, so that each beneficiary will receive adequate care in both physical and mental aspects, as reflected in the Wynn's spirit of "serving the people with a whole heart". Indeed, as the slogan of the Wynn's volunteer team goes: "We volunteer because we care".
Galaxy Entertainment Group
As a patriotic, Chinese-owned company, Galaxy Entertainment Group has been actively committing itself to its corporate social responsibility by upholding its corporate citizenship pledge of "Making a Difference by Making a Commitment". By sticking to its CSR framework of accomplishing "Two Constructions and Three Developments", the Company has always been going all out to assist the development of Macao in all possible areas. Galaxy Entertainment Group upholds the philosophy of “What is taken from the community is to be used for the good of the community” and helps groups from all walks of life through investing 1.3 billion Hong Kong dollars in the GEG Foundation. In addition, the Galaxy Volunteer Team has been set up since 2011, which has got nearly 2,500 members who have participated in over a hundred projects that included community cooperation projects, visits to institutions, donations of goods and materials, integration with the physically challenged, fund-raising activities etc. Galaxy also spares no efforts in enhancing the soft power of Macao's development. For example, it has been sponsoring the "Macau Galaxy Entertainment International Marathon" for 13 consecutive years and the "FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix" for 11 consecutive years. Considering its team members as the most valuable assets, Galaxy has always advocated among its employees the idea of striking a balance between work and rest. It has organized eight rounds of "Galaxy Got Talent" to enable employees to showcase their full talents and potentials. Last year, the company organized its "Team Member Rally" with 1,068 team members, which set a Guinness World Record. Galaxy is therefore resolved to committing itself to promoting sustainable development in a diversified manner and to assist Macao in achieving its ambition towards becoming a world center of tourism and leisure.
Sociedade de Jogos de Macau S.A.
Sticking to its guiding principle of becoming a "local society", SJM's has employed over 90% of its total workforce from local residents. In 2005, SJM established the first "Welfare Consultancy Society" to protect the welfare of its employees, which serves to ensure their employment, optimize their welfare conditions, thus bringing great benefits to their families and the local communities. According to the "Interim Review of Gaming Liberalization for Games of Fortune in Macao: economic, social, livelihood impacts and operating conditions of the Concessionaires" Research Report, SJM ranked as the top No. 1 in the whole industry in terms of the amount of its donations of money and materials. SJM and the whole group have even mobilized its hydrofoils, turbojets and helicopters to explore maritime and air passenger transportation route between Hong Kong and Macao. It has also sponsored the construction of the Macau International Airport, the Macao-Hong Kong Maritime Terminal, the Friendship Bridge, and participated in the infrastructure of new port construction and reclamation of the Nam Van Lake, as well as taking up the full construction costs of the Macao Tower, going all out to boost Macao's economic prosperity. SJM also demonstrates great enthusiasm towards cultural conservation by sponsoring the maintenance of the Dom Pedro V Theatre, the Military Club of Macao, etc., and funded the construction of the Macao Cultural Center, the Macau Museum and the Macao Maritime Museum. SJM is firmly resolved to committing itself to supporting community development, contributing to charitable organizations and supporting education, sports and culture. In addition, SJM has launched its "Internship Program" since 2013 to encourage employees to carry forward the spirit of caring for the physically disabled and caring for people with intellectual disabilities. The SJM Volunteer Team, established in 2015, turned out to be the largest volunteer team in Macao, which has been involved in organizing such activities as fundraising, visiting, promoting anti-drug campaigns, as well as organizing activities for the disadvantaged groups etc.
Melco Crown Entertainment
Melco Crown Entertainment has been long committed to the philosophy of 'giving back' to the community, and actively fulfills its corporate social responsibility. The company's vision for social responsibility is to bring ultimate changes to the community and to contribute to social innovation.
Melco Crown Entertainment's unique and innovative corporate social responsibility programs have been focused on the seven core areas of the youth, education, women, culture / heritage, environment, responsible gaming and whole-person development. Its objectives include supporting local charities, NGOs, educational institutions, government departments, associations and organizations. Melco Crown Entertainment is particularly concerned about the development of young people and is committed to inspiring the creativity of the young people in arts and culture. Its signature program "Dare to Dream" has enabled local young talents to communicate with and to learn from renowned experts since 2012. In recent years, the company has organized the “House of Dancing Water Backstage Journey” to show local youth career opportunities in professional performing arts. Moreover, the company has set up a volunteer team to serve the Macao community. Over the years, over 18,000 headcounts of employees have participated in volunteer activities, bringing benefits to over 27,000 individuals and organizations.
MGM
"Create a better tomorrow today" is MGM's mission to serve the community, thus bringing services to the elderly, the young people, the disabled and to the promotion of arts. In addition to donating money and goods/materials, the management team is taking part in these activities in person. Through creative and sustainable activities, for many years the MGM staff are contributing their services to the community, such as home spring cleaning for senior citizens, helping with their hair-cut, organizing MGM Health Days and taking wedding photographs for them. The Company also reaches out to the disabled through arts and crafts workshops, sports competitions and by offering them employment opportunities. MGM focuses on inspiring and encouraging young people through activities such as “A Day with MGM” learning beyond classroom experience, the Golden Lion Summer Camp that helps young people broaden their horizons, embrace ambitions and potentials; and works with local groups to commend outstanding local young talents. Through cooperation with the juvenile reformatory and social welfare agencies MGM helps to provide skills training to help members return to society. Since its establishment in 2010, the Volunteer Team has accumulated over 31,000 hours of community service. The company encourages its employees to take part in volunteer activities with their families to enhance their parent-child relationship while creating an unforgettable memory. Since its establishment in 2007, MGM has organized 21 art exhibitions with free admission to popularize arts, bringing art into life, thus benefiting a total of nearly 200,000 attendees. They have offered more than 430 guided tours for visitors aged between 3 and 90 years.
Sands China Limited
The Sands China Care Ambassador program was established in 2009. The number of care ambassadors has exceeded 1,500, providing more than 10,000 hours of volunteer service, participating in and hosting over 110 community activities, supporting 200 local groups and benefiting tens of thousands of local communities. Sands China Care Ambassadors bring warmth for the disadvantaged groups, participate in community charity activities, increase their care for the disadvantaged groups, and organize various activities to share with the community. In addition, starting from 2007, the Sands China Community Academy has organized meetings with super-stars by inviting athletic stars, orchestras, top chefs and artists to share their experience with local groups. The Company is also actively contributing to charitable activities, providing scholarships to nurture local youth, and sponsoring sports, arts and cultural activities to support local culture and creativity. Besides, the Sands Group in Las Vegas has set up the "Sheldon G. & Dr. Miriam Adelson Citizenship Awards" in recognition of the Group's global efforts to contribute to the community and support public welfare. This year, the Sands China finalists of this award will be invited to travel to the United States to accept this commendation.
Macao Federation of Trade Unions
The Macao Federation of Trade Unions provides financial assistance, emotional support and community care to the needy grass-root workers to relieve their temporary hardship. In 1993, the "Federation of Trade Unions Welfare Foundation" was established, which serves to manage emergency relief work even more systematically. In addition to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of all employees and to care for the needs of workers’ life, the Federation has launched more than 30 organizations and sites for education, health care, the elderly, the youth, the nursery, cultural and sports, vocational training and community work. The Federation of Trade Unions regularly organizes volunteer visits to singletons and single-parent families. Charity funds are donated to disadvantaged groups to promote respect for the elderly and the caring spirit. Through collaborations between the trade unions and other service agencies, adequate and appropriate assistance and resources are being provided timely to individual cases. Meanwhile, the Federation is making great efforts to improve those referral assistance agencies to help recipients more effective to solve their economic difficulties, and to help relieve their emotional stress, to influence their life with their own stories, thus promoting community care and establishing a caring culture.
