August 10, 2007
Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.

The 1st Sekisui Global Children's Eco Summit

In accordance with Sekisui's 60th Anniversary program and its focus on the themes of 'Environment', 'Next Generation', and 'Global', the 1st Global Children's Eco Summit was held Thursday, August 2nd in the U Thant International Conference Hall of the United Nations University in Tokyo. 23 children of Sekisui Chemical Group employees from 9 countries participated in the 4 hour presentation and debate on global environmental issues. The Summit participants were joined by 54 children from Sekisui Chemical Group companies in Japan who took part in the discussions as observers. In total, approximately 170 people attended the event, including Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. President Naotake Okubo, the 3 divisional company presidents and other top executives.

The 1st half of the Global Children's Eco Summit focused on the current environmental problems of, Water, Pollution, Waste, and Destruction of the Environment. In the 2nd half the participants offered ideas for improving the future of the environment. The discussions were moderated by Ms. Mitsuyo Kusano, a famous Japanese TV personality, and environmental consultant Peter Pedersen. The finale of the event was a group song with folk singer and UNEP Special Envoy, Ms. Tokiko Kato. In the reception following the Global Children's Eco Summit, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. President Naotake Okubo and the presidents of the 3 divisional companies mingled with the 23 Summit participants and children and families from Sekisui Chemical Group Companies in Japan.

The August 2nd Global Children's Eco Summit was the central event of a full week of activities. The children arrived at Tokyo's Narita airport on Sunday, July 29th. After an overnight stay in Tokyo, on Monday, July 30th, the children moved to Kami village in northeastern Japan (Near Sendai City) to spend 2 days at Sekisui's Yakurai Resort. In the beautiful natural surroundings, the children spent the 1st day discussing environmental issues in their home countries. On day 2 the children experienced the Sekisui Nature Study Course.

The participants then returned to Tokyo on August 1st for further discussions and preparation for the August 2nd Global Children's Eco Summit. Official activities culminated in a formal presentation of an environmental action pledge to President Okubo and the 3 divisional company presidents on Friday August 3rd. The participant then enjoyed a bus tour of Tokyo followed by a weekend home stay with Japanese families. All the participants returned home on Sunday, August 5th.

In looking back at the highly successful event, CSR Department Environmental Management Group head Satoru Oketani commented: "I would definitely like to hold a 2nd Global Children's Eco Summit. We are considering how to best integrate the Children's Eco Summit into our total Group CSR environmental activities".