Delegates attend the Mizuiku Global Summit 2024 at the Embassy of Japan in Hà Nội on April 23. — Photo courtesy of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam

HÀ NỘI — Suntory PepsiCo hosts the Mizuiku Global Summit 2024 at the Embassy of Japan in Hà Nội on April 23.

This marks a significant milestone as the Mizuiku Global Summit is convening for the first time outside Japan, with Việt Nam as its host nation. This three-day event also commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Mizuiku programme globally and the 10th anniversary of “Mizuiku - I Love Clean Water” in Việt Nam.

"Two decades ago, we initiated Suntory “Mizuiku – an education programme aimed at fostering water conservation and protection among elementary school students. This programme stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to the sustainable development of water resources. Through initiatives like Mizuiku, we hope to enhance access to clean water for children today and in the future, instilling in them a sense of responsibility towards protecting the environment and precious water resources,” said Masaaki Fujiwara, Chief Sustainability Officer, Suntory.

Việt Nam was the first country outside Japan to be chosen for the expansion of the project in 2015, under the name "Mizuiku – I love Clean Water". With the philosophy of sustainable water development, the programme pursues two primary goals: educating elementary school students about water conservation and providing infrastructure support to improve access to clean water for children and communities.

Primary students learn about water conservation as part of the "Mizuiku – I love Clean Water" programme in Việt Nam. — Photo courtesy of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam

The Mizuiku programme is designed comprehensively, with activities both within and outside of schools, stimulating creativity and thinking among students through active education methods, while nurturing their love for and awareness of nature through experiences such as forest expeditions in national parks.

After almost a decade, "Mizuiku – I Love Clean Water" has been implemented in 24 provinces and cities nationwide in Việt Nam, educating over 400,000 elementary school students. The programme has also enhanced access to clean water for millions of pupils and teachers through the renovation of school water facilities.

2023 marked a significant milestone for the programme as it officially collaborated with the Ministry of Education and Training. The teaching materials “Guidelines for organising teaching and learning about water conservation and protection for primary schools” have been reviewed, approved and integrated into the national primary education curriculum by the Ministry of Education and Training of Việt Nam.

General Director of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Jahanzeb Khan (First right) and Director of the Japanese Cultural Information Centre - Embassy Japan in Việt Nam Kamitani Naoko (first left) represent gifts and certificates to Lê Huy Việt Phúc, the winner of the "Nurture the flow, Future will flow" photo contest. — Photo courtesy of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam

Director General of the Physical Education Department, Ministry of Education and Training, Nguyễn Thanh Đề said: “The 'Mizuiku - I Love Clean Water' programme stands out as an exemplary initiative of the comprehensive partnership between the government and the private sector to achieve a shared goal. It has provided tangible benefits to the community, the environment, society, and the younger generation in Việt Nam. The year 2023 represented the first year of partnership in implementing the initiative, and the initial results have been extremely remarkable."

Amidst the three-day Summit, April 23 saw the announcement of the winners of the "Nurture the flow, Future will flow" photo contest and the premiere of the photo exhibition organised by Mizuiku Vietnam under the endorsement of the Embassy of Japan.

The "Nurture the flow, Future will flow" Photo Exhibition will be open to the public free of charge from April 23 to May 2 at the Embassy of Japan at 27 Liễu Giai Street, Ba Đình District, Hà Nội. — VNS