Zhang Qian

    zhqcindy@163.com

    AN exhibition area of 1,000 square meters will see 93 charity organizations from all around the world showcasing their projects at the 4th China Charity Fair in Shenzhen from Sept. 18 to 20.

    It is the first time the organizers of the charity fair set up an international exhibition area. The move is to help the charity fair “have a greater global impact,” the organizers said yesterday.

    To incorporate international elements is one key strategy of the charity fair this year. Organizers contacted major foreign institutions, like AVPN, a venture capital group that supports charities. Most of AVPN’s supporters are influential foundations and banks. AVPN member organizations will attend the fair.

    Organizers want to introduce local charities to international institutions in hopes they can cooperate.

    “We selected some of our members that have already operated charity projects in China or plan to carry out such plans,” said a person from AVPN.

    The group has already invited about 20 institutions from eight countries to the fair.

    Another overseas institution, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has cooperated with Chinese NGOs since 2000.

    JICA’s goal is to drive cooperation between Japanese and Chinese NGOs. JICA has carried out four Japan-China NGO forums since 2000, according to Zhou Yan, a person in charge on the Chinese side.

    “The China Charity Fair is a good platform for communication and we decided to come again with our past and ongoing projects like the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers program that sends hundreds of Japanese volunteers to China,” said Zhou.

    The charity fair also hopes to bring Chinese philanthropic institutions onto the global stage.

    It is also inviting guest speakers from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations, along with hundreds of others.