China Nonprofit Technology Blog

We are pleased to publish the following announcement from an organization that has been promoting and fostering social entrepreneurship for more than three decades:

Ashoka (www.ashoka.org) is the world’s largest association of social entrepreneurs — men and women who are creating new institutions and system-changing solutions for the world’s most urgent social problems. Since 1980, Ashoka has pioneered the field of social entrepreneurship, electing and connecting more than 2,000 individuals with system-changing ideas in over 70 countries. And now, Ashoka is headed to China.

We are currently looking to help China create a more harmonious society by bringing Ashoka’s skills, knowledge and global connections to China. We seek a highly entrepreneurial individual with strong strategic thinking skills, solid business/social sector experience and a deep commitment to helping resolve major social challenges in China. Only candidates fluent in both Mandarin and English will be considered, ten + years of experience required.

Up to the task, or know someone who is? Apply at http://www.ashoka.org/apply and list ‘China Representative’ in the ‘Openings of Interest’ section of the online application. Please include salary expectations in your cover letter. Only qualified applicants will be contacted.

Ashoka: Innovator for the Public

The China Foundation Center (CFC) recently launched its official website, providing free access to detailed information about more than 1,800 public and private foundations registered in China, including annual reports for about a third, and project lists for 24 foundations. It also offers a separate database of about 440 non-profit organizations. The website includes several advanced reporting features, such as mapping, graphing, and generation of "top 100" lists ordered by net worth, annual income or annual expenditure.

The China Foundation Center was established early this year with support from 35 local and international foundations. Its strategic partners include Microsoft China, Baidu, and the the US-based Foundation Center, whose growing network of "Cooperating Collections" it will join.

The Center's launch and its mission to increase transparency in the non-profit sector have received positive reports in the mainstream media, including The Beijing News and China National Radio (links in Chinese).

Full access to the CFC website requires registration, which is quick and free. The website is available in Chinese only.

Gender Development in China (GAD) has made a public call for video and audio submissions on the issue of sexual harassment, with the intention of broadcasting them on the internet. According to one survey, 84% of women in China have experienced some form of sexual harassment, and the apparent aim of this campaign is to increase awareness and deepen public discussion of the problem, particularly in the aftermath of a scandal this May in which prominent businessman Song Shanmu resigned amid allegations of workplace harassment and rape.

Nevertheless, given the sensitive nature of this topic, GAD's approach of seeking informal documentary- and editorial-style video content could itself prove controversial, despite its reminder that contributors should take steps to protect privacy and treat personal stories with sensitivity.

The suggested length for video and audio submissions is 5 minutes, and the deadline is July 15. For more details, see the original announcement (link in Chinese).