Conference to Focus on China's Evolving Philanthropy Sector

Oct 30, 2014 04:21 PM EDT

Chinese philanthropist Chen Guangbiao (c.) speaks during a news conference announcing his underwriting for the full surgical regimen of mother and daughter, Hao Huijun (l.) and Chen Guo (r.), who were disfigured by a self-immolation in 2001.

(Photo : REUTERS/SHANNON STAPLETON ) Chinese philanthropist Chen Guangbiao (c.) speaks during a news conference announcing his underwriting for the full surgical regimen of mother and daughter, Hao Huijun (l.) and Chen Guo (r.), who were disfigured by a self-immolation in 2001.

An Indianapolis conference bringing together scholars, business people and philanthropists, convenes Friday to consider the state of philanthropy in China.

The China Philanthropy Summit was organized by the Research Center for Chinese Politics and Business at Indiana University Bloomington, and the Lily Family School of Philanthropy.

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The two-day conference will examine the current and future role of philanthropy in China. About 3,000 non-government organizations, or GMOs and foundations conduct philanthropic work in China.

The conference is part of a three-year Initiative on Philanthropy in China financed through the Ford Foundation and Henry Luce Foundation. Originally planned to bring together about 70 experts in the field, demand was so great twice as many people registered for the sessions.

"This is an exciting time in China and in the world of philanthropy," said Gene Tempei, of the Lily Family School of Philanthropy to IUPUI Newsroom. Tempei said the summit was an attempt to continue the work and learn from Chinese philanthropy colleagues, while strengthening and informing the philanthropic world in China and the U.S.

Findings from 11 research projects related to Chinese philanthropy will be presented at the conference by academic researchers. These researchers represent the University of Maryland, University of Pennsylvania, University of Wisconsin, Sun Yat-Sen University and Tsinghua University among others.

Seminar panels will address some of the on-the-ground efforts in China to encourage and grow philanthropy. Founders of Hong Kong's Philanthropy in Motion group will participate along with Yang Peng of the One Foundation in Shenzuan and Holly Chang, founder of the Golden Bridges Foundation at Beijing.

Angela Bies, University of Maryland School of Public Policy associate professor of global philanthropy and nonprofit leadership, said China's philanthropic community was at a critical stage in its development in a society whose needs were complex and pressing. While the philanthropic environment was exciting, much work needed to be done, she said.

TagsPhilanthropy, indiana university, philanthropist, china philanthropy, ford foundation, henry luce foundation, giving