CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Folding@home™ Distributed Computing Project at Stanford University

2007-2012

The Folding@home™ is the distributed computing project at Stanford University aimed at studying the causes of a variety of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cancers. From 2007, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) provided the dedicated application for PlayStation®3 users to participate in the project. More than 15 million PS3® users has participated in the program in total, however, considering that the PS3® system has made a significant contribution to the project, the support towards the project was terminated in November, 2012. More than one hundred millions of computation hours donated by PS3® users to the Folding@Home project is now helping the viable drug development at Stanford University.
We would like to thank all the PS3® users for their support to Folding@home™.
More details can be found here.

Japan

e-learning with PSP® (PlayStation®Portable)

Since 2006 (ongoing)

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) supports Otemon Gakuin Elementary School in Osaka in their “e-learning” approaches by using PSP® in classes as students' personal terminals, and currently PSP® is used by the Grade 3 to 6 students one for each. With their activities by using PSP®, we are hoping for ‘basic scholastic proficiency,’ ‘individualized learning’ and ‘motivation for learning’ in students’ ability.
Also, attractive educational development for Physical Education Class, such as students to record video and check their own physical movement by using PSP® connected to USB camera, has been currently studied.
You can find a more detailed report on ‘class informatization’ on their web site.

Written Translation on PSP® (PlayStation®Portable)

Since 2008 (ongoing)

SCE supports PSP® written translation approach. Written translation is one of information ensuring tools for hearing-impaired people where what is said is translated in writing on site. The usage frequency of PSP® as a receiver has been increased, exploiting its characteristics as operability and portability. Using online delivery service software “ITBC2,” it becomes available to receive information of the written translation via PSP® web browser in real-time.
Written translation on PSP® has been developed and supported by volunteers across-the-country and has been introduced in schools, lectures, theatres and more.

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In October, 2012, the volunteer, who developed “ITBC2,” proposed the information assurance style using PSP® and received the gold title for the communication design category at “IAUD Award,” the event hosted by International Association for Universal Design (IAUD).

Participating in ‘TABLE FOR TWO’

2009～2010

SCE participated in ‘TABLE FOR TWO’ from 2009 to 2010. ‘TABLE FOR TWO’ is an organization that simultaneously addresses the opposing issues of obesity in the developed world and malnutrition in the developing world. When an employee pays for one healthy meal provided at our company’s cafeteria that meets ‘TABLE FOR TWO’ healthy diet criteria, a charge worth of 1 school meal is donated to developing countries for students’ meals.

‘PlayStation’ Science Program

July, 2009

In the summer of 2009, SCE hosted an event ‘“PlayStation” Science Program’ for junior high school students. PlayStation®3 （PS3®） engineers explained that computer graphics presented in games are calculated by using knowledge of science and mathematics taught in school. Attendees enjoyed experiencing PlayStation®Eye, a webcam peripheral for PS3®, and working in a group to discuss how future games would be.

Educational Contribution in science and technology

in 2007 & 2008

PS3® engineers of SCE took part in the annual event hosted by IBM Corporation to teach the latest subject matters in science and technology for female junior high school students. In order to arouse their interest in the math and science field and such careers, engineers explained that games were consisted of calculations based upon high school physics with demonstration of the actual programming scenes. Another aspect of PS3® in the medical industry was also introduced that it is actively utilized as a means to save people's lives.

Charity Auction

November, 2004

Before the launch of PSP® in the market, SCE was given the opportunity of the Charity Auction through the website, offering 500 PSP® systems. The amount to be raised at this auction was donated to the victims of Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake.

Copyright Workshop

2004～2009

From 2004 to 2009, SCE held an annual summer event ‘Copyright Workshop’ for students from 4th to 6th grades and their parents （co-hosted by The Association of Copyright for Computer Software）. Game creators of the ‘Ape Escape’ series showed how the games were created and the participants became familiar and learn about copyright through enjoying mini games, a short play and lectures.

North America

William J Clinton Foundation

September, 2012

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) participated in a charity event hosted by William J. Clinton Foundation. This foundation is established by former President of United States Bill Clinton, and it aims to improve global health, strengthen economies, promote healthier childhoods, and protect the environment etc.. The participants had dinner with the former president and interacted with him throughout evening.

Kids Day

2011 & 2012

Kids Day enables the children of SCEA employees to be on-site for the day. It not only provides a field trip opportunity for children, but also enables their parents to show them working as SCEA employees. The kids were also given goodies and were allowed to draw on designated walls and spent productive day with SCEA employees.

Receiving Students for Company Visit

May, 2011

SCEA partnered with NPO and hosted an event, Project Lead the Way, for Valley Christian Junior School. This project is to help understanding how the skills students learn in school relate to everyday life by introducing them to the field of engineering. SCEA contributed to the project by doing a site tour and discussions for the students.

Holiday Giving

Since 2008 (ongoing)

SCEA partnered with a variety of charitable organizations to spread joy to children and families in need. Organizations include ‘Toys for Tots’, ‘One Warm Coat’, ‘Child’s Play’, ‘St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital’, ‘Acterra : Action for a healthy planet’, ‘PAWS : Pets Are Wonderful Support’ and ‘Children’s Hospital and Research Foundation.’ In addition, SCEA provides employees an opportunity to match their donations for a Grab Bag of randomly selected promotional titles or accessories.

ESA Nite to Unite

Since October, 2009 (ongoing)

The annual Nite To Unite (NTU) for Kids benefit dinner and auction is held in October at the Westin St. Francis in SF. An NTU for Kids is an annual dinner hosted by the ESA (Entertainment Software Association) and supported by members of the association and the interactive entertainment industry to raise funds for the ESA Foundation. NTU is an unprecedented effort by the interactive entertainment community to come together to celebrate the industry's continuing growth and success, while helping to make a difference in the lives of America's kids. Since 2009, SCEA donates electronic auction items, and SCEA staff members join this event as volunteers.

Supporting Charity Marathon Event

May, 2011

SCEA sponsored a group of 50 employees to run in the Bay to Breakers, one of the world’s largest and oldest footraces（12km marathon for charity）, held annually in San Francisco, California. The event has been held since 1912 in order to provide reconstruction assistance to the 1906 devastating San Francisco earthquake. In 2011, the employees collected US$1,194.49 and it was funded to American Red Cross.

Rebuilding Together

April, 2008

‘Rebuilding Together Peninsula’ is a non-profit organization that works to build partnerships with companies such as SCEA to rehabilitate homes and community facilities for the low-income, elderly and/or disabled neighbors within the San Francisco Bay Area. A group of SCEA employees volunteered personal time to assist with painting, light construction, and cleaning for an elderly woman in San Mateo, CA.

Europe

Participating in Conservation Works

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) carries out various conservation activities at a local nature reserve.

in 2012

SCEE has provided valuable support to Vinters Valley Nature Reserve for over 5 years now, helping to improve access and create new wildlife habitats.SCEE staff members volunteered for Vinters Valley nature reserve, continued from 2011. The main aim for the day was to improve access to the valley floor for visitors by renewing wooden steps. SCEE staff attended the day and successfully built 18 steps. For this volunteer day, SCEE donated the cost of materials.

in 2011

The warden, Mr. Steve Songhurst, has asked for SCEE’s help to create sheltering places for the local reptile population, mainly viviparous lizards and slow worms. The task involved SCEE volunteers help create stag beetle pyramids and log piles.

in 2008

A team of 32 staff from the SCEE Head Office Operations Department took part in activities at Suntrap Forest Education Centre for schools. The centre is used by school groups in the local area, to come and learn about wildlife and conservation. SCEE staff joined to improve facilities and to share ideas for 'challenge courses' for the groups of local children.
A small team from the SCEE Cambridge office took part in conservation activities at Byron Pools in Cambridgeshire County. The work involved restoration of 'hedgerows' which are important for local wildlife and biodiversity.
A third team took part in a project at a local city farm. The activities included such as improving the vegetable garden, helping with farm animal maintenance and working on the facilities for the 'eco-classroom'.

in 2007

Part of the group worked to replace old equipments such as steps/stairways to improve the accessibility in the park for the local community in August. Other participants conducted a butterfly survey in the　wildflower meadow for biodiversity monitoring purposes.
In July SCEE took part in a conservation 'Team Building' day run by the Forestry Commission. Activities included: replacing gates to protect the more sensitive areas of the forest from hazardous grazing deer; and carving colorful 'totem pole' trail markers to place along the butterfly walks.

in 2006

Teams of volunteers from London/Liverpool/Cambridge offices of SCEE took part in conservation activities at their local nature reserves from October to November.

Mobile Learning with PSP® (PlayStation®Portable)

Since 2007　(ongoing)

Since 2007, SCEE has expanded the ‘PSP in Education’ program, where PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) has been used extensively at more than 400 educational and training institutions in United Kingdom. The combination of PSP's gaming heritage and its ability to capture and to play open standard educational digital content via audio, video, and internet has made it a compelling new mobile learning platform.

Supporting Cancer Research UK

Since 2006～(ongoing)

Since 2006, SCEE women participate in the 'Race For Life' 5km (approx. 8 miles) Run, an event which SCEE fully supported, for fund-raising for the charity Cancer Research UK.

Asia

Move @ School Program

March, 2011

Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong Limited（SCEH） held “Move @ School Program” for disabled students at Lutheran School For The Deaf in Hong Kong in order to provide them opportunity to do light exercises with PlayStation®Move.

Sichuan Earthquake Relief

May, 2008

The day after the earthquake happened in Sichuan, SCEH hosted a charity event to support the victims of this disaster. The full proceeds from PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and PlayStation® merchandise were donated to the relief organizations.

June 8th ～ 9th, 2008

SCEH called for all the game related companies in Hong Kong and set up a support organization called ‘Game United’. At the two-day charity event jointly held by 54 companies, more than 10,000 people visited and the proceeds and donation were donated to UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) and World Vision (worldwide non-profit organization).

Christmas Charity Event

December, 2008

SCEH joined in Christmas Campaign initiated by Hong Kong Blood Cancer Foundation and donated a Christmas tree.

UNICEF Halloween Charity Event

October, 2007

SCEH took part in the Halloween charity event hosted by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). They donated PlayStation® merchandise items and game titles to the participants, and were honored for their achievements.

Make-A-Wish Foundation

March to April, 2007

SCEH provided a support for Make-A-Wish Foundation. Support persons who made their donations to Make-A-Wish Foundation at the event received either T-shirts or caps from SCEH.

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