Will Meet Jason, the friendly businessman environment. Jason is willing to lend a hand to relieve social and environmental problems through numerous CSR projects with his company, Santa Fe Relocation Services.
When did you move to Indonesia, where are you?
I'm from Brisbane, Australia, and first moved to Jakarta in January 1999. After two years here, I moved to Shanghai for three years, made a brief visit to Singapore and returned here in 2004 as President Director for Indonesia Santa Fe.
How your trip with Santa Fe Relocation Services start? When did you start working for the company, and how did you end up in Jakarta?
I actually joined Santa Fe in Shanghai in 2001. I enjoyed the dynamic pace of Shanghai, but after three years, I asked to be moved closer to my two children who lived in Australia . So I was offered and accepted a position at our Singapore office, but it was not long before the possibility to take over Santa Fe Indonesia arose. Having lived here before made an easy transition for me to live and work here.
In addition to its literal meaning, what does CSR mean to you personally?
Having lived and worked in Asia, you see firsthand the gap of disparity significant income that exists in many places here. I believe companies that make money from operating in these areas also have a moral obligation to give back to the communities where we operate. Every little bit helps.
What other CSR projects have you done with Santa Fe Relocation Services?
We have helped organizations such as the Red Nose Foundation, Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) WatSan Action, World Vision and the environment for humanity. We also provide logistical support to organizations when there is a need for relief projects. More recently, we funded a project culture of catfish to the local community where our office and warehouse is located.
Thank you for the support of Santa Fe Clean Up Day Jakarta. What you asked to support and be part of Clean Up Day Jakarta?
We saw this as a great initiative. Regrettably it seems that the culture of waste disposal is responsible not as widespread as it should be here, but we hope that the publicity created by this event will help bring more awareness to this issue. As much of the waste finds its way into rivers, contributing to clogged roads and causes flooding problems.
Are there other organizations that support Santa Fe? Why do you choose to support?
Apart from the organizations I mentioned earlier, as we move many expatriates when they leave Indonesia and many of these customers have furniture and other items they longer need and do not want to take abroad with them, so we collect and distribute these items to various charities here.
Can you tell us a little about your "green" office? Prompting Santa Fe to adopt this environmentally friendly office environment, certified by the Board of the Indonesian Building Green?
One of the initiatives of the Santa Fe Group was to become a member of the UN Global Compact. The Global Compact Office is the largest global initiative on corporate responsibility with more than 6,700 members are committed to promoting sustainable development using the 10 principles of social, environmental and economic as a framework. We report annually on our progress, promote and support sustainable development in our work. I was fortunate to be given a major role in the design and construction of our new office and warehouse, which we completed construction in July this year. So naturally, it was important for us to integrate these environmental principles in the design and construction of our new facility. Therefore, we contacted the Green Building Council recently created by Indonesia (GBC) to request their assistance and input in obtaining green certification for our office and warehouse. Therefore, our system incorporates many "green" features, including rainwater, optimal use of natural light, bamboo flooring, waterless urinals, LED lighting, and facilities for the disabled.
How do you still find time to be an ambassador for Internations? Can you tell our readers what is Internations and what you do for the organization?
InterNations.org is a global organization that supports more than 390 online communities worldwide. Its main objective is to help people who live and work abroad to connect in their local community. I share the ambassador role for Jakarta with Sony Jethani and together we organize regular meetings for people to meet and build their circle of friends. Unlike many other events in Jakarta, rallies Internations are targeted solely for social purposes and not commercial. The Ambassador role is a volunteer position and to be honest, Sony probably spends more time organizing these events, so my job is as simple as turning up at events (when I'm in town) and make everyone is happy. I must say that it really gained much popularity here and usually attracts 150 or more rallies. I have seen many strong friendships created from these gatherings, which made live and work here much easier for many people.
If you are not juggling work and projects, what you enjoy doing in your free time?
Much of my free time is spent trying to follow my wife, who runs Deisy www.WhatsNewJakarta.com , which keeps us very active socially, but whenever I get the chance (unfortunately too rarely) I try to do a round of golf.
What would you recommend to people like the easiest way to be more "green" in Jakarta?
A simple step would be to refuse plastic bags when buying things. My local DVD store finally got used to refuse me to take the DVD in a plastic bag. I have seen estimates that more than 4,000 tons of plastic bags are arranged in Indonesia every day and almost all of these bags are not biodegradable - which means they take over 1,000 years to decompose. Every little bit helps, so we should all think twice before accepting a plastic bag.
What is your personal opinion to corporate leaders to run more CSR projects in the future?
It does not take much effort to find many worthwhile causes to be involved, but a start would be assigning someone in your company to identify potential project opportunities in CSR and the oversee. Also an easy way to implement "green" initiative would be to ensure that your company uses only recycled paper for printers and copiers. We use locally sourced paper called "recycled Exceedo premium" that is 90% recycled. In addition, for each ream of product that is used, your company will save 20 liters of water consumption, reduction of 0.1 lb of air pollutant emissions, economy of 3.1 kWh of electricity consumption , saving 1.1 liters of oil consumption and saving 40,500 Btu of heat energy. In addition, their chlorine-free bleaching process. So what kind of paper your company uses.
Jason can be contacted via his email jwill@santaferelo.co.id
www.santaferelo.com/jakarta