Chinese NGOs push for a global role
- By Li Shen
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China.org.cn, May 27, 2015
|
|
|
You Jianhua, secretary-general of the China NGO Network for International Exchanges, takes questions at a roundtable of the first annual meeting of the Nongovernmental Forum of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia in Beijing, May 26, 2015. [Photo: Li Shen/China.org.cn] |
"Friendship among states lies in the amity of their peoples," You said. "It is essential for Chinese NGOs to 'go global' to promote the comprehensive and sound development of China's relations with other countries as well as to safeguard the interests of our country," he explained.
CNIE has organized several pro bono programs related to eye disease treatment, drinking water supply, charity fundraising, training and education in Africa in addition to disaster relief and exchange programs in several of China's neighboring countries.
"These programs have promoted understanding and trust between the Chinese people and peoples in foreign countries, strengthened communication and friendship, shared our development outcomes with them and further promoted peace and stability in the region and the world," You said.
He also called for more young people to take part in volunteer projects or to join NGOs, as young people's energy, specialized knowledge, language skills and international outlook are paramount in the outward-bound development of Chinese NGOs.
To attract more young advocates of and contributors to NGOs, CNIE is building online platforms and mobile apps for young people in China and countries along the "Belt and Road."
As a pioneer of Chinese NGOs' "going-global" push, the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation has organized several disaster relief and pro bono programs since 2005. By the end of 2014, it had invested nearly 70 million yuan (US$ 11.3 million) in such programs and had opened overseas offices in Ethiopia and Sudan.
Due to their characteristic altruism and neutrality, Chinese NGOs are better suited to undertake disaster relief and overseas assistance, said Jiang Shaogao, vice president of the CFPA.
"NGOs are crucial in building an image of responsible China and responsible Chinese enterprises," Jiang asserted.
However, the relative newness of civil society in China also means that its NGOs are somewhat inexperienced. Compared with Western NGOs, which started to go global more than 30 years ago, Chinese NGOs lack sufficient local connections, resources and qualified workers. "We hope to get more support from the government and policy guidance," said Chen Hongtao, deputy executive director of CFPA.
The CFPA recently collaborated with other NGOs that have already started overseas projects to compile a handbook for Chinese NGOs that want to go global. The handbook will be released on May 30, 2015.
The roundtable, which was organized by CNIE, is on the agenda of the first annual meeting of the Nongovernmental Forum of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. Established in 1992, CICA is a multi-national forum for enhancing cooperation with the goal of promoting peace, security and stability in Asia. Its 26 member states believe that peace and security in Asia can be achieved through dialogue and cooperation.
NGOs inject new vitality into promoting the spirit of CICA, and CICA provides a perfect platform upon which NGOs in the region can share their experiences and enhance cooperation, You Jianhua said.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)