We are ONE 社區一家
Sinyi Realty
Following a period of social upheaval in Taiwan after the Presidential Election in 2004, Sinyi initiated steps to foster unity and harmony in the country through its corporate power. Under this initiative, Sinyi hopes to change the mindset of the society through their action plan, “We are ONE,” which encourages people to care about not just themselves but the community as a whole.
INTRODUCTION
Following a period of social upheaval in Taiwan after the Presidential Election in 2004, Sinyi initiated steps to foster unity and harmony in the country through its corporate power.Under this initiative, Sinyi hopes to change the mindset of the society through their action plan, “We are ONE,” which encourages people to care about not just themselves but the community as a whole. Starting from community development, this program has connected apartments, streets and towns, and passed down the concept and positive power to whole Taiwan with the hope of prosperity.
FRAMEWORK AND STRATEGY
“We are ONE” is a wholly public welfare-based community grant project. Sinyi established an independent expert jury to evaluate the community proposals since 2004. The first 5 years of the program focused on the improvement of the physical construction of the communities through financial assistance. The second 5 years shifted to the development of interpersonal relationships in order to develop a more harmonious society once the communities achieved a certain level of development.In addition, every Sinyi employee enjoys a one-day paid volunteer leave once a year. Many employees have participated in Service Learning program in the communities which has not only provided the employees with opportunities to serve the communities, but also allowed them to obtain new knowledge of life from the communities. Over 308,000 hours of service had been accumulated from the inauguration of the program up to the end of March 2016.
ACHIEVEMENT AND IMPACT
A total of 7,327 communities in Taiwan have participated in the “We are One”project. 354 out of 368 towns have made proposals, including those residing on offshore islands and on mountains. Sinyi has sponsored more than NT$220 million in total and assisted 1,525 communities in making their dreams of community renovation come true. This is the largest and longest corporate sponsorship since Taiwan promoted comprehensive community development.According to the survey “The Happiest Living in Taiwan” conducted by Apollo Poll Center in 2014, more than 85% of those who participated in “We are ONE” considered living in the renovated communities as the happiest, and up to 80% participants of “We are ONE” were willing to volunteer for community renovation. Through the promotion of this project, the residents were able to shift their attention from themselves to the community in creating an excellent neighborhood and to achieve an ideal world as described in the Chapter of Great Harmony in the Book of Rites.
Since its inception over ten years ago, the “We are ONE” project has effectively driven “the youth to return home for services” in Taiwan. Many young people who studied and lived in other cities have returned to their hometown with their ideas on how to improve the culture, industry, environment and humanity of their home towns.
FUTURE DIRECTION
“The most beautiful scenery in Taiwan is people” was also launched to complement the “We are ONE” project. To expand the scope of public participation, Sinyi initiated an interactive platform “Pinky Promises” at the end of 2015 which is the first crowd-founding platform in Taiwan focusing on community development. Four types of resources, including materials, manpower, intellect and capital, are provided on the platform, providing free matchmaking services to groups or individuals Furthermore, a book detailing the “We are ONE” program will be published so that young people who want to get involved in community development can use it as a guide. “The most beautiful scenery in Taiwan is people” was also launched to complement the “We are ONE” project. To expand the scope of public participation, Sinyi initiated an interactive platform “Pinky Promises” at the end of 2015 which is the first crowd-founding platform in Taiwan focusing on community development. Four types of resources, including materials, manpower, intellect and capital, are provided on the platform, providing free matchmaking services to groups or individuals Furthermore, a book detailing the “We are ONE” program will be published so that young people who want to get involved in community development can use it as a guide.The success of “We are ONE” in Taiwan has caught the attention of Tsinghua University in Beijing. Tsinghua University established the“Sinyi Community Development Center” in cooperation with Sinyi Realty in 2011 to promote community development programs in China through publishing a series of books, training government officials and various community workshops. Mr. Chou Chun-Chi, its Chairman, has been invited to China, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan several times to share the process of the corporation’s dedication in social participation. The success of “We are ONE” in Taiwan has caught the attention of Tsinghua University in Beijing. Tsinghua University established the“Sinyi Community Development Center” in cooperation with Sinyi Realty in 2011 to promote community development programs in China through publishing a series of books, training government officials and various community workshops. Mr. Chou Chun-Chi, its Chairman, has been invited to China, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan several times to share the process of the corporation’s dedication in social participation.
Since the establishment of the Sinyi Group in 1981, Sinyi has provided innovative and comprehensive real estate services based on the business philosophy “Fidelity and Satisfaction” Sinyi Groups organization structure began with Sinyi Realty. With a vertical management approach, seven main business units were developed around its main business area of real estate which includes Sinyi Taiwan, Sinyi China, Sinyi Overesas, Sinyi Subsidiary Unit, Sinyi Development Unit, Pan-Sinyi Unit and Culture and Public Welfare Unit. Now, Sinyi runs a large network throughout the metropolitan areas in Taiwan, China, Japan and Malaysia with nearly 2,000 stores, providing consumers with the most cordial and reliable services. Sinyi was listed on the TWSE in August 2001 and is currently the only listed real estate Corporation in Taiwan.
