Sony has established an office for CSR that is responsible for formulating policies concerning Sony's social responsibilities, implementing these policies throughout the Group and communicating with third parties through, among others, the sharing of information.

The CSR office also handles CSR-related disclosure, promotes dialogue with stakeholders, ensures feedback reaches management and any pertinent Sony department (e.g., legal, compliance, environment, product quality, procurement, human resources, marketing) as well as interdepartmental meetings, and is incorporated into management's actions. The relevant departments promote CSR activities throughout the Group by ensuring policies and initiatives thus incorporated are conveyed to Group companies.

Recognizing the importance of raising employee consciousness with regard to the effective promotion of CSR, Sony offers a variety of educational programs based on a three-level approach, whereby employees are encouraged first to learn about CSR, second to participate in CSR activities and third to incorporate CSR into their day-to-day work.

Sony provides employees with essential training to facilitate the sharing of information, disseminates pertinent news and stages the CSR Forum, featuring lectures by invited experts, film showings and other activities designed to enhance awareness of each individual's obligations to society.

Sony's social contribution projects offer a uniquely Sony approach, that is, an employee volunteer-driven organization that contributes to society while at the same time encouraging employee involvement.

CSR training for new employees focuses on instilling know-how and introducing Sony's CSR program. Sony also offers instructor-led training sessions aimed at management. To enhance the expertise of both employees and management, Sony publishes the CSR Update. In addition to detailing Sony's CSR activities, this monthly newsletter reports on CSR-related awards and recognition received from outside agencies and on CSR-related trends.

Held after hours and completely voluntary, the CSR Forum provides Sony employees in Japan with the opportunity to increase their knowledge of CSR. Organized five or six times a year, this event features lectures by invited experts, film showings and other activities, and addresses a variety of themes, including the disaster relief, environment, human rights, poverty, international understanding, employment opportunities for the disabled, work–life balance and diversity. The CSR Forum is held at Sony's headquarters in Tokyo. Employees of Group companies are able to view the proceedings via streamed video or on DVD. As of the end of year 2010, the CSR Forum has been held 22 times, with cumulative participation exceeding 17,000 individuals. Donation boxes for charities related to the featured topics are set up on-site, thus enabling participants to immediately transform ideas into action.

Sony believes that employee participation is crucial to ensuring its social contribution activities are truly meaningful. Accordingly, Sony encourages employees to be aware of social issues, strive constantly to deepen their understanding and then to participate in fundraising initiatives, community projects and/or other activities. Employees with a particular expertise or specialization are encouraged, for example, to lead workshops for local students and children, underscoring Sony's desire to promote multi-level engagement.

♦Volunteer Systems and Initiatives for Employees

• Leave for volunteer purposes
• SOMEONE NEEDS YOU (employee volunteer program)

For further information: Community > Volunteer Systems for Employees

• Volunteer initiatives
  
  • - Dispatching employee to disaster support of Great East Japan Earthquake
  • - Instructors and staffs for Sony Science Program
  • - Cleanup activities and tea-planting

♦Fund-raising initiatives

• Matching gift programs

For further information: Community > Matching gift programs, fund-raising initiatives

• Fund-raising initiatives
  
  • - Emergency humanitarian assistance
  • - Dream Goal 2010 (CSR project coinciding with the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010)
• Donations in kind
  
  • - School satchels for developing countries
  • - South Africa Mobile Library Project