Bangkok, 31 January 2024 - Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a manufacturer and distributor of beverages under the Suntory and PepsiCo brands in Thailand, has announced the success of its "Mizuiku 2023 Program: Youth Water Education", which has been held for the 5^th consecutive years. This program aims to encourage sustainable water and environmental conservation practices among the youth. It features a variety of activities involving students, school staff, their families, and local communities, raising awareness about the importance of water resources and promoting daily water conservation.

 The "Mizuiku 2023 Program: Youth Water Education" received support from government agencies as  the partners of the program: the Department of Water Resources and the Pollution Control Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, along with The Primary Educational Service Area Office in the targeted areas of Rayong and Saraburi Provinces under the Ministry of Education. The program also collaborated with "Klongwises," an environmental and social development advocacy group committed to water conservation, aiming to inspire Thai youth about wise water usage through two main activities:

 1) The "Water Youth Camp" selected 20 primary schools in Rayong and Saraburi provinces. Student leaders and teacher representatives participated in a 3-day and 2-night camp focusing on experiential outdoor learning about water resources. The initiative also aimed to empower these student leaders to apply and extend their learning from "Water Youth Camp" to their schools.

2) The “Mizuiku Water School Model” contest involved teacher representatives and student leaders utilizing funds provided by the project. They implemented an integrated water resource conservation project in their schools, covering four key aspects: policy, stakeholder participation, infrastructure, and community engagement. Furthermore, they formed the "Mizuiku Club" to enhance these conservation efforts.

 Ms. Piengchit Sriprasart, Chief People and Culture and Corporate Affairs Officer at Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Co., Ltd., stated, “At Suntory PepsiCo Thailand, we are committed to following the corporate value of 'Growing for Good', conducting business while taking care for society and the environment. Our focus is on educating of water resources and fostering youth participation in water and environmental conservation through the 'Mizuiku Program: Youth Water Education,' which has been held continuously since 2019, together with demonstrating success through collaborative stakeholder engagement. I express sincere gratitude to our government partners, teachers, and students for their crucial contributions to this year's project. I am confident in our program's significant impact on water and environmental conservation in Thailand.”

 The "Mizuiku 2023 Program: Youth Water Education" achieved remarkable success, involving 20 schools in the Water Youth Camp and the “Mizuiku Water School Model” contest. Student leaders and teacher representatives brought their newfound knowledge from the camp back to their schools, resulting in an impressive participation of 5,750 elementary students in this year's activities. Over the last five years, the “Mizuiku Program: Youth Water Education” has educated over 20,250 students about water conservation. The winners of 2023 "Mizuiku Water School Model” contest were Rakpasa Kindergarten School in Rayong Province and Wat Phae Khok School in Saraburi Province.

 Mr. Bhadol Thavornkitcharat, Director-General of the Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, highlighted the value of youth engagement in water conservation, stating, “The Department of Water Resources congratulates Suntory PepsiCo Thailand and commends the schools and students involved in last year’s 'Mizuiku Program: Youth Water Education', which is a part of water resource conservation for our country.  The Mizuiku Program’s operation aligns seamlessly with our department's mission of managing, preserving, and enhancing the nation's water resources. We are delighted to support this program, as it is crucial in fostering a sustainable water resource conservation culture among the younger generation.”

 “As a government agency overseeing water quality monitoring and pollution management, we proudly endorse the 'Mizuiku Program: Youth Water Education.' Recognizing that effective water resource conservation involves a comprehensive approach from upstream to downstream, it is crucial to instill the right attitudes and knowledge, particularly in youth. They are the future stewards of our resources and environment." Ms. Preeyaporn Suwannakes, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, emphasizes the significance of fostering awareness and cultivating environmental consciousness among the youth.

 Dr. Sunisa Scott, the Director of Rakpasa Kindergarten School in Rayong Province, and Mrs. Rewadee Thongunruen, the Director of Wat Phae Khok School in Saraburi Province, who are the winners of the 2023 “Mizuiku Water School Model” contest, shared their views on the program, stating, “On behalf of our dedicated teachers and students, we are honored to be recognized as the ‘Mizuiku Water School Model’ for 2023. Leveraging the insights gained from the project, we are committed to integrating water resource conservation across all four key areas within our schools:

• Policy: Set policies and measures for water resources and environmental conservation in the school.
• Stakeholder Participation: Conduct training and activities to enhance water conservation among teachers, students, and staff, emphasizing the importance of water and energy conservation. Additionally, form the 'Mizuiku Club' to lead and drive water conservation initiatives in the school.
• Infrastructure: Adopt water-efficient equipment and support water recycling practices, including installing rainwater harvesting systems for plant irrigation and creating a system to reuse dishwashing water for watering vegetable gardens.
• Community Outreach: Encourage parental involvement in water-saving practices at home through competitions and extend conservation efforts to the surrounding community through various activities promoting water resource conservation.

 We are grateful for this impactful project that provides crucial opportunities and funding for our school's water conservation initiatives. Our commitment is directed towards fostering students for water conservation consciousness, aligning with the project's goals.”

 Suntory PepsiCo Thailand plans to expand its "Mizuiku Program: Youth Water Education", a pivotal effort to ensure the sustainable conservation of water resources for the benefit of future generations. In 2024, the focus will shift towards empowering Thai youth to become "Water Conservation Protectors" through the "One Suntory Mizuiku Program." This collaborative program with Suntory Beverage and Food (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is scheduled to kick off its activities in March 2024.