East Asian Insurance Day Happy Insurance Day to everyone in East Asia. As the regions observes this special day(Oct 18th) to underline the critical social and economic role insurance plays in life, society and the economy, we bring you a quick update on what four of the 12 markets in the EAIC - Japan, Malaysia, Philippines and Taiwan - are doing to celebrate EAIC Insurance Day. JAPAN We make use of East Asian Insurance Day to promote understanding among the general public not only of the importance of insurance per se, but also of the importance of cooperation among respective Asian insurance markets for the healthy and sustainable growth of the entire Asian insurance industry through the EAIC and other forums. We believe this helps people within the Japanese insurance industry become more interested in and feel greater affinity with neighboring Asian insurance markets, which have developed an increasingly closer relationship with each other, as well as the activities of the EAIC. Just as last year, the General Insurance Association of Japan (GIAJ) and the Life Insurance Association of Japan (LIAJ) will post articles on their websites to commemorate the Insurance Day. The GIAJs website will feature messages from Mr. Kengo Sakurada, the Chairman of the GIAJ and Mr.Hisahito Suzuki, EAIC Chief Delegate of Tokyo, while a message from Mr. Manabu Hiraga, General Secretary of the EAIC, a summary of the EAIC, and information on the East Asian insurance market will be posted on the LIAJs website. In addition, both associations will place messages from Mr. Jack Tai, Chairman of the Non-Life Insurance Association and the Insurance society of Taiwan on their websites. These messages will also be published in Japanese insurance industry journals. Also, display panels introducing East Asian Insurance Day and EAIC activities are exhibited in the GIAJs headquarters, where customers can find out more about general insurance and pick up useful information such as GIAJ member company insurance pamphlets. East Asian Insurance Day activities have deepened customer understanding of the roles played by the insurance industry, not only in Japan but also internationally. Besides, in order to improve the image of insurance, we believe that continuous efforts are vital for enhancing consumer relations, and each industry conducts various activities throughout the year. For example, we issue various publications and brochures to promote understanding of insurance, send instructors to consumer study meetings, and hold meetings with news media and local consumer centers to exchange opinions about insurance. To promote communication and dialogue with consumers, we also hold meetings with academic experts, consumer groups, consumer policy agencies and the news media. As for general insurance industry, the GIAJ has been participating in the ‘Government-Private Sector Joint Automobile Theft Prevention Project Team’ as secretariat for private participants since 2001. The project team consists of 4 government authorities and 19 private organizations. Its relevant efforts include continuous promotion of the installation of immobilizers (a security device). Since setting October 7 as ‘Theft Prevention Day’ in 2003, we have been creating sustainable annual auto theft awareness-raising activities across the country. The number of known vehicle thefts in 2003 was 64,223. However, since this promotion commenced in 2003, the number of known vehicle thefts decreased to 16,380 in 2013. Even so, as particular areas are still troubled by frequent vehicle thefts, constant countermeasures are essential. On October 7 this year, the GIAJ will conduct countrywide awareness-raising activities in cooperation with the police and the Independent Insurance Agents of Japan Inc., including handing out leaflets at various locations. As for the life insurance industry, last year the LIAJ launched new initiatives as part of its cross-general package designed to enhance consumer understanding. Specifically, the LIAJ published an information booklet for the elderly, and a financial education DVD for preschool and elementary students, and distributed these materials to consumer centers, elementary schools and public libraries. . MALAYSIA The Life Industry Celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, LIAM has launched a new branding for its community outreach under “INSURANS HAYAT CARES” - to make Association more effective in engaging the community on an ongoing basis. The stress is that the spirit of caring and sharing should be an integral part of the life insurance business and “we should spread the message of love all year round”. On 21 August 2014, LIAM hosted a community service program for about 100 underprivileged children from two homes namely Asrama Darul Falah (ASDAF) and SHELTER Home. LIAM representatives took time off their busy schedule to spend a day with these children from different ethnic groups and religions. Activities such as Money Crossword, Road Safety Puzzle and Financial Literacy Quiz were organized to add more excitement to this event. LIAM will be working with the Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation (CARIF), a non-profit organization on cancer research, to embark on an awareness programme on Cancer. Through our collaboration with CARIF, we hope to share our experiences in educating the community to be aware of Cancer and promote cancer education to the young generation. Two booklets on “Be Frank!” for male and female will be published in October 2014 to raise awareness on measures to reduce risk of cancer. Testimonies of cancer survivors are shared in the booklets to inspire and encourage readers to continue to live a wholesome life of hope. As part of our fund raising activities for this year, member companies of LIAM will be participating in the 34th Terry Fox Run (also known as Marathon of Hope) on 2 November 2014. Proceeds from this run will be channelled to undertake research on cancer. Preparations are underway to organise a nationwide Blood Donation campaign throughout all the 13 states in Malaysia in early 2015. We hope to create a historic milestone in this campaign by setting a new record in Malaysia Book of Records. The General Insurance To commemorate Insurance Day which in Malaysia falls on 27th July, PIAM organizes at least one CSR activity each year targeted to provide assistance to those in need and to encourage greater awareness of the insurance industry as part of the caring society. This year PIAM has decided to commemorate the Insurance Day together with the East Asian General Insurance Day in October. The Association has identified the Rehabilitation of the Raja Musa Forest Reserve as the activity for the Insurance Day. This was held on 11th October 2014. The project is planned in collaboration with the Global Environment Centre, an NGO active in addressing environmental issues with tree planting at peat swamp forests as their main focus. Environmental issues have always been of concern to insurers and with the recent natural disasters like floods and landslides which are primarily caused by global warming, tree planting has been considered a small step in addressing this concern. Forests play an important role in climate change and the destruction of forests contributes to the release of carbon dioxide, the carbon footprint that is severely shunned by environmentalist. The current cycle of global warming is changing the rhythms of the climate that all living things have come to rely upon. Worldwide awareness on these changes and how we can address it has gained prominent coverage in the international front. PIAM and its members feel that helping to grow more trees is a good way to address these concerns and the general insurance industry is doing its part in conservation of nature. The Association has invited all member companies to participate in this event and members will be planting 600 saplings on 1 hectare of peat swamp area. The general insurance industry hopes to go greener and reduce its carbon footprint for a better tomorrow. PHILIPPINES First week of October every year “Life Insurance Consciousness Week”. Several programs and activities are participated by both life and non-life insurers during this weeklong celebration. Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association (PIRA) holds Annual Events and Awards for Insurers varying from Most Innovative Product to Best in Corporate Social Responsibility. Insurance Institute for Asia and the Pacific has a whole year calendar of Seminars and Trainings open to all necessary for the information and appreciation of the benefits of Insurance TAIWAN Following the objective of “helping the public gain a better understanding of the role of insurance and the EAIC” of the East Asian Insurance Day, launched in 2006 by the EAIC, various activities have been initiated in Taipei this year to promote the sound development and maintain the public recognition of the insurance business in the modern society. The major goals of those activities were set to fulfill the social responsibilities the insurance industry owes to the general public, especially in respect of caring for disadvantaged groups, sponsoring activities of public interests and cultural exchange, which parallels with the aim of the East Asian Insurance Day. Here are the activities undertaken that provided assistance to disadvantaged groups: • The Insurance Bureau of the Financial Supervisory Commission jointly with the new Taipei City Government held recently a road run activity in Taipei followed by a carnival party sponsored by all insurance companies under the theme of promoting micro-insurance and insurance for aging people; • South China Insurance Company sponsored class room equipment and student tuition fees in Meicun Tribe, Alishan; • First Life Insurance Company held charity flee market to support Jingjuan Charity Foundation in promoting Children Security Education and Trauma Healing. To promote the awareness and better understanding of insurance of the general public and education about the road traffic security, the Taipei Non-life Insurance Association hosted several seminars in government agencies, law enforcement authorities, traffic supervising units and various levels of schools, and also disseminated insurance knowledge through various media channels, such as broadcasting/television programs, newspapers and magazines. Tokio Marine Newa Insurance Company, joined by Shih Hsin University, also hosted “No Drunk Driving and Live with Your Heart” activities through internet, video and sponsoring relevant public activities. By holding children drawing contest with the theme of “Traveling with grandparents”, Shinkong Life Insurance Company encouraged the society to care for and interact more with elderly people, so that the cultural wisdom could be inherited generation by generation. Another drawing contest held by Taiwan Life Insurance Company, joined by the Sunshine Social Welfare Foundation, encouraged participating children not only to make efforts on the art creation but also bring warmth and hope to the burn survivors and people with facial disfigurement. With the recognition of the importance of awareness of insurance of the general public, the insurance industry makes great efforts in raising the standards of professionalism and service quality to keep up with the development of the society. To commend the insurance companies and people in the insurance industry with distinguished performance in professional services, innovation and fulfillment of social responsibilities, the 16th Prizes of Insurance Faith, Hope and Love, hosted by the Modern Insurance Education Foundation and 30+ universities and colleges, awarded 13 best performers of the year in the industry of various achievements.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 04:43:37 +0000
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