Dow Leadership in Action programme reinforces commitment to address Vietnamese community challenges

Dow's Leadership in Action programme forms an organic part of the company's efforts to promote sustainability and social inclusion

Dow is collaborating with six strategic non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and universities in Hanoi and Haiphong in an effort to enhance the Vietnamese market’s competitive advantages and address pressing local challenges for the betterment of the Vietnamese people.

These partnerships provide Dow a unique ability to further develop relationships with key stakeholders as the company progresses its growth strategy in the Asia-Pacific region.

Aligned with Dow’s long-term commitments to advance a sustainable planet and society, LIA intersects Dow’s investment to Global Citizenship, the company’s focus on its 2025 Sustainability Goals, and Human Resources pool of top talent and experience to build sustainable communities around the world.

LIA participants become visionaries for new business development in emerging geographies as they gain experience about the market realities of global communities. In addition, they establish strong in-country relationships to pave the way for business opportunities and market growth.

This year, the Dow teams will address issues related to water quality and access, environmental clean-up, education, and career readiness. The group will partner with NGO representatives for five months to meet local needs and solve real world problems using Dow innovation and expertise, including a final in-country visit in September to cap their projects and engagements.

“Leadership in Action is an incredible collaboration that gives us a chance to introduce the community to the talent and heart of our people,” said Kenny Ogawa, Dow's president in Southeast Asia. “Partnering with local organisations, we experience first-hand the realities of addressing important challenges so we can help develop meaningful solutions for long-term change.”

Dow is partnering up with local organisations and NGOs to address social challenges

Dow has been present in Vietnam for more than 22 years. The company’s products have been utilised by Vietnamese manufacturers as essential inputs to safe and clean drinking solutions, construction and infrastructure, appliances, electronics, car manufacturing, footwear, leather, and packaging industry.

Significantly, an integral part of Dow’s business operations in Vietnam is the company’s corporate citizenship activities. Dow’s signature citizenship projects in Vietnam include donating more than 30 water purification devices to schools and hospitals to provide safe drinking water to thousands of pupils, patients, and people in need, donating an emergency water purification mobile unit to the Vietnam Red Cross, empowering more than 2,300 enterprises nationwide with knowledge in cleaner production and waste management, as well as promoting the circular economy concept for sustainability and environmental protection for Vietnamese enterprises.

Vietnam is the fifth location of LIA. To date, LIA has engaged 202 employees who have worked with 35 NGOs to benefit communities in the Philippines, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Indonesia.