Social Sector
Stories of Those "Serving the People".
CSR is at a crossroads in China. While the government and business community openly extol its virtues, an incomplete understanding of its principles and a tendency to misuse CSR to whitewash unsavory business practices could fuel public skepticism, resulting in the evaporation of public trust. Professor Bettignies discusses these and other potential pitfalls, as well as factors that could accelerate the adoption of CSR in China, including support from the government, civil society, activist entrepreneurs and the globalization of China's formerly insular business sectors.
China’s economic boom has raised hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. In rural areas, widespread poverty remains a challenge. Fuping Development Institute began operations in 1993 with a RMB 500 budget, and since then, has become a major vehicle for poverty eradication in China. Today, Fuping manages a micro-loan portfolio worth tens of millions of RMB, with an impressive 97% repayment rate.
Golden Bridges is dedicated to building sustainable capacity of China’s NGO sector. The society’s needs are not always fully addressed by the government nor the private sector so the “civil society” requires people and community based efforts to focus on a broad range of human needs. Holly talks about challenges faced by front line NGOs in China, including competition from the government and an unclear and undeveloped legal system.
Mihela and Chris discuss current and future social entrepreneurship trends in China. Much like the development of internet usage in China, concepts like sustainable development and social entrepreneurship were relatively unknown 5 years ago, but thanks to efforts by major celebrities and grassroots NGOs, awareness is growing steadily and quickly. Mihela and Chris argue that social entrepreneurship is a method to contribute to positive social change in China.
Professor Bettignies talks in this video about how different concepts of Corporate Social Responsibility coexist in China today. He contrasts the Western tradition, embraced by multinationals, and the more cost effective, humanistic approach based on Confucianism that is found even in small family own businesses. Professor Bettignies discusses how the blending of both of these concepts is producing an entirely new approach for CSR made in and for China.
Professor Bettignies talks about the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility, its importance in the philosophy of business and the way that it is addressed in China.
The concept of CSR was once viewed as an invention alien to the Chinese business world. However, it is gaining popularity as one practical way to achieve the goal of Social Harmony set out by the Chinese leadership.
Professor Bettignies talks about his AVIRA training program for Chief Executives.
INSEAD started AVIRA as a pilot program which offered one convenient alternative for busy executives to develop their Corporate Social Responsibility awareness. Indeed, AVIRA stands for "Awareness" of the surrounding environment, "Vision", "Imagination", their "Responsibility" as individuals, corporate and family leaders and their ability to take quick and effective "Action".
Professor Jia Xijin discusses the environment for NGOs in China. Unlike many developed nations, NGOs in China lack a clear legal status. This means that there are a variety of bureaucratic obstacles to their operation, with “service providers” generally having it easier than “advocacy organizations”. Professor Jia discusses some of those obstacles, as well as the creative ways NGOs in China have been able to circumvent them.
Recent Chinese history is marked by mass campaigns. Mass campaigns to industrialize, mass campaigns to expand the economy, but a mass campaign to restore the balance of nature is still forthcoming. Rather than wait, the Jane Goodall Institute China has taken up the reigns in this campaign to educate China's youth through the Roots & Shoots program. Ms. Helms hopes that knowledge of the environment will spread virally from child to parent and from school to community.
Iowa Law School Professor Mark Sidel provides a detailed overview of the third sector (civil society/NGO sector) in Greater China and discusses emerging trends such as the impact of the economic downturn in charitable giving and volunteering, innovation in social entrepreneurship and the increased flow of philanthropic capital across borders, particularly across the Taiwan Strait.
