The Second Annual “World Philanthropy Forum," jointly organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Tsinghua University, convened in the Chinese capital on Wednesday.

Chinese and UN officials, as well as international foundations and NGOs, attended the opening ceremony at the Great Hall of the People.

Vice president of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Li Haifeng reviewed the development of social and philanthropic organizations in China and welcomed international NGOs to operate in China. Li stressed that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with all sides in public charity and social work under the Belt and Road Initiative and in building a community of shared future. 

Former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard and former Prime Minister of Denmark Helle Thorning-Schmidt, both of whom are now chairs of NGOs serving children, delivered each a keynote speech on the importance of education in equipping young people with skills to survive the modern world and in saving marginalized children. The two female leaders also participated in a dialogue on education and philanthropy with UN Resident Coordinator in China Nicholas Rosellini and UNICEF Representative to China Rana Flowers.

Rosellini and other NGO and foundation leaders shared the belief that philanthropy plays an important role alongside national governments and the private sector in achieving the 17 sustainable development goals set out by the UN 2030 Agenda. 

Over 100 guests from the academia, the business community as well as government and social organizations, including world-renowned NGOs such as Ford Foundation, Oxfam and Junior Achievement will engage in four parallel forums and seven high-level dialogues during the two-day forum. 

The first World Philanthropy Forum was held on September 5th 2016 to mark the first Chinese Day of Charity and the fourth International Day of Charity.