NGO's Efforts Valued in Anti-Poverty CampaignCo-operation between the government and the private sector has proved effective in poverty alleviation, a UN official said over the weekend in Beijing, China Daily reported on April 24."It is good for developing countries to exchange experiences implementing poverty relief policies through the public and private partnership with the support of appropriate non-government organizations (NGOs)," said Lai Shang-Long, an official with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Lai's remarks were made at an international symposium on the partnership between the public and private sectors for social development, with emphasis on the support from NGOs to the private sector in their poverty alleviation activities. The symposium, held over the weekend, attracted hundreds of representatives from home and abroad, including government officials, UN representatives and private entrepreneurs. China is trying to mobilize all of society to help the poor, according to Wang Zhaoguo, president of China Society for Promoting Glory Programme (CSPGP) The Glory Programme, started by 10 private entrepreneurs six years ago, is one of the most successful poverty relief programmes in China. "The private entrepreneurs involved in the Glory Programme believe that it is the responsibility of all Chinese people to eradicate poverty, and that it is a glorious undertaking to create common wealth, seek common development and achieve prosperity together," said Jing Shuping, honorary president of CSPGP. The number of people living in poverty in China decreased from 250 million in 1978 to 34 million in 1999, according to official figures. The Chinese Government has the goal of providing adequate food and clothing for all people living in poverty by the end of this year. |
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