China Philanthropy

Yak Around the World Campaign!

Our friends at Shokay [Ventures in Development] are hosting a Yak Around the World Campaign. Just in case you have no idea what that means, Shokay is a socially conscious luxury brand that creates beautiful clothing using yak down fiber. Shokay sources their fiber from Tibetan herders which enables them to "earn a sustainable living while preserving their traditional lifestyle." In August Shokay launched the Yak Around the World Campaign. Twenty-four social changers received a hand-knit baby yak and hat with the question, "What are you doing to change the world today?" Each person/group takes a picture with their baby yak and posts it on the campaign page then sends it to another changemaker. That's where you come in! We want some help deciding who to send it to! Send us your suggestions for changemakers. We'll pick one and send our little yak along on its way.

One Day for the World --- AIESEC SISU 09 CSR Forum in Shanghai

Last Saturday, I had the chance to attend the "One Day for the World - AIESEC SISU 09 CSR Forum." AIESEC is the world's largest student-run organization, active in over 1700 universities in more than 107 countries and regions. The goal of AIESEC is to develop high-potential students into globally minded responsible leaders. 

China Offers Relief to Taiwan: A review of Typhoon Morakat

On August 8, Taiwan was hit by a severe typhoon with initial newscasts reporting a death toll of fifteen in Taiwan but final reports approximating more than 600 killed. Typhoon Morakat, which is Thai for emerald, had already caused the death of 21 people in the Philippines the previous week and as it swept through East Asia hundreds were missing due to severe floods, mudslides, and landslides. As reported in the New York Times, Taiwan's president Ma Ying-jeou said the storm which thrashed the island with rain for three days, had cost the country USD1.5 billion and destroyed the homes of 7,000 citizens. With a record 8 feet (244cm) of rain hitting southern Taiwan, the typhoon was the worst one to hit Taiwan in fifty years and left the country in severe distress.

Philanthropy as a New Measuring Stick

This week Grace was interviewed for a piece in the New York Times on China's corporate philanthropy. The article discusses new developments in how corporations and wealthy business people are approaching philanthropy, including a new collaboration between Alibaba founder Jack Ma and Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus to start Grameen China. The article titled, "In China, Philanthropy as a New Measuring Stick" is out today!

--Georgia

中文

2009 Hurun Report: Thousands with Millions

China's wealthiest are being counted. The 2009 China Rich List, published by the Hurun Report, is the yearly digest of the mainland's biggest earners and biggest spenders. This year's statistics show significant growth in the number of the country's high income individuals despite the financial crisis. Here's a brief comparison: In 2008 there were 800,000 people with wealth over 10 million RMB (1.46 million USD) versus 825,000 this year. This year there are a total of 51,000 individuals with over 100 million RMB up 1,000 people from last year. One person in 25,000 has 100,000 million RMB. Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong are the cities with the most multimillionaires; however, second and third tier cities also have a growing number of rich residents.

No Free Lunch! China’s NGOs Duke It Out on Reality Television

Recently, I was invited by one of SVG's nonprofit partners to be part of the live studio taping of the popular Chinese show "No Free Lunch" which airs on the Shanghai television station here. If you watch carefully, I make a brief cameo in the audience at about 23:18, wearing black and sitting with one of our SVG donors! The format of the talk show usually targets young Chinese entrepreneurs in a sort of wacky version of American Idol in which contestants are judged on their business models rather than musical ability. In each episode, two contestants go head to head on their particular revenue model and strategy, all while critiqued by a committee of judges led by the "The Boss," an influential entrepreneur in the business world. The committee of judges vote for their choice, but, in the end, the final winner is determined by the Boss. I have long been a big fan of "No Free Lunch" because I really appreciate the sharp and challenging questions raised by the team of judges, especially as I am also working in a startup.

Looking for Basketball Coaches for Migrant Camp in Shanghai

Calling all Shanghai-based basketball players out there, we’re getting the word out for CAI director Judy Shen, friend of SVG.  CAI is a leading volunteer-based nonprofit working to improve the lives of migrant children in China.  They are using the power of team sports to promote gender equity and foster leadership skills among underprivileged migrant girls.

CAI is looking for energetic and dedicated individuals with a love for basketball and a heart for the underprivileged to join its team of volunteer coaches for the 2009-2010 Basketball Program in Shanghai.  Volunteers will coach girls in grades 4 and 5 at migrant schools throughout Shanghai in basic basketball skills and rules. 

A Safer China: China Announces a New Crackdown on Human Trafficking

Human trafficking affects an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 people every year. This global problem affects every part of the world and devastates not only those who are taken from their homes, but their families who are often helpless to find missing family members. The majority of trafficked persons are women and children who are often the most vulnerable to predators. Because of the nature of trafficking it is impossible to know just how many people are kidnapped each year. Estimates range broadly with anywhere between several thousand to several hundred thousand women and children trafficked both internally and internationally. Current news reports say that between 30,000 and 60,000 children are reported missing each year and it is certain that many of these are trafficked.

A Look at Smoking in China

China is ssssmokin’: tobacco that is. The country has more smokers than any other country in the world. If you don’t smoke in China, then you’re inevitably sucking in harmful second-hand smoke. With 350 million smokers and 540 million occasional smokers, China has a huge tobacco trade. Here are a few staggering statistics from the Tobacco Free Center: