It’s no secret that Beijing has problems supplying its citizens with water. Yet few people understand that leisure centers, ski resorts and golf courses directly contribute to the capital’s water crisis. According to water expert Hu Kanping, at least 1 million tons of water is used to make snow every year. This equals the total water [...]
Avantage Ventures invests in social enterprises that directly improve local communities. James Li from Avantage Ventures explained how many organizations start as NGOs but find that they are not sustainable. They want to change into a social enterprise but find they lack the know-how and funding despite having the passion. Avantage Ventures evaluates such organizations [...]
Spark:Her Incubator Spark:Her inspires, incubates and accelerates high-potential female social entrepreneurs. As part of the program Spark:Her incubates women at the early stages of starting a social enterprise through a one-year incubator. Incubator Dates: February 2012 – April 2012 (kickoff weekend February 10/11th , 2012) If you are: – An ambitious women in the early [...]
Animal abuse and cruelty is on the rise in China. From live goldfish and turtles sealed in plastic bags and sold as keychains to half-starved horses in abandoned jockey clubs to cat killings, animals remain exploited by humans. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has worked diligently to rescue animals in distress, as well [...]
Domestic abuse is NOT a part of Chinese culture. Ms. Feng Yuan of Anti-Domestic Violence Network/Fanbao (?????) reiterated that beating and threats to women are wrong and need to be reversed in Chinese society where local media report 30% of households, or 81 million families, live in domestic violence. It doesn’t just happen to ethnic [...]
As architectural conservation in China (i.e. Kashgar, Beijing hutongs, etc) have been in the news the past few years, international organizations such as UNESCO are becoming increasingly important in China’s efforts to protect cultural heritage. Beatrice Kaldun, Program Specialist for Culture at UNESCO, shared how the agency is engaging Asian countries including China, North Korea [...]
In 2010, the National Development Reform Commission (NDRC) announced a program for five low-carbon pilot provinces and eight low carbon pilot cities. The success from the pilot program would lay the groundwork for a national low carbon assessment, planning and management system for industry, society and economy — indeed all the energy used in China [...]
The Starfish Project has been helping women out of abuse and exploitation since 2006. Volunteers go out of their way to counsel women, help them find shelter, and provide women with meaningful work through its jewelry enterprise. Philippa Nelson joined us on Saturday evening to share her experience in working with exploited women, uncovering dark [...]
Dutchman Marc de Ruiter started Yellow Valley Cheese to help local farmers in Taiyuan, Shanxi make a viable living from the cows they bought in the first gold-rush towards milk production a decade ago. The social enterprise now produces some of the best farmhouse cheese in China and has become a model of responsible [...]
Capital Conversations is a platform created by the Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center (www.bjchp.org) that brings experts and personalities together to discuss and debate cultural topics. In celebration of China’s Cultural Heritage Day, CHP explores the artistry and future prospects of Chinese architecture, fashion, and language. Panelists: Luo Deyin, Ph.D.| Chinese traditional architecture expert; Associate Professor at [...]