The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) deploys resources to Hanoi, Vietnam through the 2017 Leadership In Action (LIA) program – reconfirming the Company’s long-term commitment to the country as a primary sustainable development partner. Dow is collaborating with six strategic non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and universities in Hanoi and Hai Phong in an effort to enhance Vietnam’s competitive advantage in market and address pressing local challenges for the betterment of the Vietnamese. 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 geographic area.

Aligned to 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 Resource’s pool of top talent and experience to build sustainable communities around the world. Leadership in Action participants become visionaries for new business development in emerging geographies as they learn from 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 cleanup, education and career readiness. The group will partner with their 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 President, Southeast Asia. “Partnering with local organizations, we experience first-hand the realities of addressing important challenges so we can help develop meaningful solutions for long-term change.”

Dow has been present in Vietnam for more than 22 years. Dow’s products have been utilized by Vietnam’s 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 in Vietnam 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 environment 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.

One of the six teams of Dow's Leadership in Action Program is working with Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development on the program's implementation

Dow executives are working with Vietnam Maritime University - one of Dow's partners in 2017 Leadership In Action Program

"Leadership In Action" in Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment