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The closing Press Conference of 26 Degree Campaign was held in Novotel Xinqiao Hotel. This Campaign, funded by Heinrich Boell Foundation and co-organized by CANGO, Global Village of Beijing,WWF China, Institute of Environmental and Development, Friend of Nature, and Green Home Volunteer, was aimed to promote public awareness on power-saving, specifically through air conditioners. During the press conference, representatives form the six NGOs concluded what have been achieved in the three months from June 26th to Sept. 26th and released a poll report about the energy situation among Beijing people.

The Tri-Party Review Meeting (TPR) of the Integrated Artisan Development Project was held in Lhasa. The project, funded by the Finnish Government and United Nations Development Prohramme, executed by CANGO/CICETE, and implemented by Tibetan Women’s Federation (TWF), aimed to reduce poverty in Tibet through upgrading the traditional artisan skill, developing news products and expanding market, thus to improve the living standard of Tibetan farmers and to preserve the traditional local culture. During the TPR meeting, representatives reviewed the project design, project activities, achievements and output, especially how to ensure the sustainability of the project after the project is completed. Mdm. Jia Lusheng, Dr. Daniel Wang from UNDP, Huang Haoming and Li Jing fron CANGO/CICETE, and Ms. Ga Ma, Preisdent and Ms. Wang Huiling. Vice President of TWF, as well as related project staff took part in the meeting.

An International Workshop on the issue of “Mainstreaming Public Participation in International Cooperation with the People’s Republic of China (PRC)” was held in Beijing at the Sino-Swiss Hotel. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the workshop was carried out by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH in cooperation with the Center for International Migration and Development (CIM) and the China Association for NGO Cooperation (CANGO).

More than 50 representatives from bi- and multilateral donor organizations, foundations, international NGOs, domestic NGOs and the state sector attended the conference.

Ms. Dorit Lehrack, International Senior Advisor to CANGO, attended the conference "Ethical Corporation - how to manage corporate social responsibility in Asia" held at Shangri La-Hotel Hong Kong.

CANGO, as a strategic step, plans to intensify contacts to the business sector in China with the goal to build strategic partnerships aimed to support development projects across the country. As one of the initiators of last year's conference on "Business and Civil Society" and being involved in GTZ's project to promote social standards in supply chains for German retailers, CANGO is strengthening its capacities and competencies in these new but very important topics. CANGO therefore acted as a supporting organization to the Hong Kong conference. In return, the organizers kindly sponsored CANGO's participation in the conference. In the future, CANGO hopes to act as an intermediary organization bridging the gap between companies, communities and NGOs for the sake of the whole society.

Mr. Zhao Daxing made a field trip to Chongqing to learn about the progress of “Poverty Alleviation through Supporting Rural Poor Women in Mulberry Planting and Silkworm Breeding” project, which is funded by EED. The project will support 2000 rural poor women in mulberry planting and silkworm breeding to reduce poverty and promote women development. During the investigation, Mr. Zhao had a extensive information exchange with members from Silkworm Breeding and Marketing Cooperative of Jinqiao Township, gave them instructions on poverty alleviation and women participation project management.

Mr. Haoming Huang, Ms. Cheng Yaqin, Mr. Lin Mao and Ms. Zheng Hong attended 2nd Expert Meeting on Social Capacity for Environmental Management (SCEM)- Capacity Indicators and Development Process Modeling which was held in Renmin University of China. The meeting was organized by Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation (IDEC), Hiroshima University. On behalf of CANGO, Mr. Huang Haoming gave a keynote speech on “Citizens Indicators Model in Social Capacity for Environment Management In China”.

Mr. Haoming Huang, Ms. Cheng Yaqin and Ms. Zheng Hong participated the Third International Symposium – Social Capacity Development for Environment Management and Japan-China Cooperation which was held in International Conference Hall of College of International Culture, Capital Normal University. The Symposium was co-organized by IDEC, HICEC, CNU, IDE-JETRO, JBIC, JICA and NIES. Mr. Haoming Huang gave a keynote speech on “The Process of Citizens Indicators Model in Social Capacity Building for Environment Management in China and Japan” which described the effect, main index and model of Chinese ENGO in social capacity development for environment management.

“Wealth & Welfare” forum was held on the 8th floor of Zhengyuan Business Hotel, which was organized by CANGO. Prof. Jeffery C. Chu, International Senior Advisor of CANGO, introduced the concept of “triplicity” which was consisting of government, enterprise and NGOs, and show his wishes of promoting China social development through accelerate the welfare development. Distinguished guest include Mr. Haoming Huang, Vice Chairman & Executive Director of CANGO, Mr. Xu Yongguan, Standing Vice Chairman of China Youth Development Foundation, Mr. Liu Jing, President of the Philanthropy Times and Mr. Zhu Chuanyi, Professor from Institute of American Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Science.

Mr. Jonathan Chang, the CANGO international volunteer (CIDA sponsored intern), traveled to Chunhua County to conduct an English Language Training for the English Teachers at the Chunhua High School. Chunhua County has been designated as one of Shaanxi’s poorest counties. Most of its residents are peasants, famous for their apple orchards. Last year, out of the 800 graduates from the high school, only 50 attended university. In order to improve the quality of teaching at the high school, Mr. Chang was invited to train the English teachers. During a seven-day period, Jonathan Chang trained the teachers on various topics: essay writing, reading comprehension, speaking, listening and pronunciation. In addition, Jonathan Chang attended some classes in the mornings to give short lectures to the students. Twice he gave lectures to huge audiences: 1100 and 1600 students respectively. Responses from the teachers, school administrators and students have all been very positive. The headmaster of the Chunhua High School, Mr. Guo, hopes that in the future a partnership with CANGO can be further solidified.

The Workshop on Sino-US International Environmental Issues was held in Friendship Hotel, Beijing. This workshop was co-organized by Environmental Defense, Policy Research Center for Environmental and Economy of SEPA, China Association for NGO Cooperation, International Technology and Economy Institute, Development Research Center of the State Council and School of Public Policy& Management, Tsinghua University. Below are five topics discussed in the workshop: Environmental issues & Strategy, Climate and Air Pollution, Ecosystems, Oceans and Environmental Protection & Human Health. More than 150 experts and officials from both China and overseas participated in this workshop. During the meeting, Ms. Marcia Aronoff, Vice President of Environmental Defense and Mr. Wang Yue, Chairman of CANGO signed the MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT. The signing of MOU shows that Non-governmental organizations from China and the United States expect to work together to deal with environmental problems.

For moe information about this workshop, click the links below:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-12/03/content_396849.htm
http://www.people.com.cn/GB/huanbao/8220/41430/index.html
http://sdep.cei.gov.cn/gh1/zm.htm

On December 7, 2004, Sino-Germany Economic Cooperation Forum (Deutsch-Chinesiches Wirtshaftsforum) was held in People’s Great Hall, Beijing. Mr. Lin Mao, the Project Assistant, and Mr. Jin Jiang, the volunteer, attended this conferenc.
In the Forum, His Excellency Mr. Gerhard Schroeder, the Prime Minister of Germany, made the key speech concentrated on the issues related to Sino-Germany trade and economic development and the further cooperation of the environmental protection. Prime Minister believed that there was still big room for both countries to improve the two-way trade. He emphasized that the enterprises from China and Germany should cooperate each other completely to realize the win-win situation in today’s fast-developing world.
Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Mr. Xu Kuangdi, Vice Prime Minister of the State Concil of China Mr. Zeng Peiyan, the Vice Chief Director of NDRC Mr. Zhang Guobao, the president of COSCO Mr. Wei Jiangfu, the Parlimantary State Secretary Ministry of Economic and Labour Dr. Ditmar Stafflt and the President & CEO of Siemens AG Dr. Heinrich v. Pierer also attended the Forum and made important presentation regarding Sino-Germany Economic and Trade Cooperation. More then 150 officials and entrepreneurs from the government and companies of both countries took part in this conference.

Mr. Haoming Huang had a meeting with officials from World Bank. Ms. Carolyn Reynolds, Senior Communications Officer of World Band, discussed the possibility with Mr. Haoming Huang to explore the opportunities for the cooperation in China. Mr. Haoming Huang firstly introduced the history and the mission of CANGO. He then provided the relative information and materials of the projects implemented by CANGO. Ms. Carolyn felt quite surprised for the development of Chinese NGOs in recent years, particularly the achievements of CANGO. She belived that there were more opportunities in the future for World Bank to work with Chinese partners in different levels. She was eager to see that there would be positive effects to Chinese society. Mr. Haoming Huang expressed the strong desire that CANGO wanted to establish the link with the overseas and international organizations for the future cooperation and hoped to see the positive response from World Bank. Ms. Li Li, Senior External Affairs official of WB, Mr. Patrick White, President of Marco Polo Society and Mr. Jin Jiang, volunteer of CANGO also participated in this meeting.

The Final Review Meeting of the Women Leadership Development Project In Linqu was held at Landmark Hotel Beijing. The purpose of this meeting was to review the whole process of the project and assess the impact of the project. Ms. Wang Weili, the General Director Assistant of China International Center for Economic and Technology Exchanges, attended this meeting and made the opening speech. Ms. Zhang Hongman, representative from UNIFEM Beijing Office also made a speech. Ms. Yin Xiurong, President of Linqu Women’s Federation made a report of all the process of the project implementation from 2001-2004. About 40 participants, from government agencies, non-governmental organizations, women development institutions and media participated in this meeting. The participants had a warm discussion and experts pointed out the strength and weakness of the project, which also provides suggestions and recommendations for future projects on gender issues. Mr. Haoming Huang, the Executive Director of CANGO, presided the meeting and made closing remarks on behalf of all the participants that the project has been successfully completed. This meeting is also an opportunity for experts, who concern the Chinese women development, coming together to communicate and exchange their ideas for women development and gender equality in China.

The 2nd China Philanthropy Forum was held by Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Philanthropy Times in Zhongmin Plaza. The theme of this forum was “Philanthropy and Chinese New Motivations”. Mr. Jia Zhibang, the vice minister of Civil Affairs, attended this conference and was invited to make the important speech.
This forum was presided over by Mr. Lu Jianghua, the Executive Director of China Development Strategy and Policy Research Institution. 11 Experts and honorable guests from different areas, including the government agencies, institutions, enterprises and civil society organizations, took part in this forum and made the presentation with the topics regarding the function and role of the civil society to establish the Socialism harmonious society. Mr. Lin Mao attended this forum.

Northeast Asian Youth Peace Forum 2004 was held in Konkuk University, Korea. The forum was co-organized by Korean Sharing Movement and Konkuk University, more than 40 experts from China, Japan, Mongolia, American, Russian, Netherlands and Korea participated in this forum. Participants on Chinese side include Mr. Haoming Huang, Executive Director of CANGO, Dr. Liu Qunyi from Department of Economics, Peking University, Ms. Jia Xijin, Associate Professor from NGO Research Center, Tshinghua University, Post Doctor Liu Peifeng and Postgraduate Candidate Li Yiling.
The theme of this forum was Peace and Prosperity of Northeast Asia. The Program of the forum consisted of 5 parts: Seminar, Visit with Foreign Workers Quarter, Field Trip to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Visit with Korean NGOs and Cultural Activity (Closing Ceremony). The opening ceremony was held in Lounge F14, New Millennium Building of Konkuk University at 17:00, 17th Dec. Mr. Chung, Kil Saeng, President of Konkuk University gave the inaugural address, Prof. Lee, Il Yung from School of Medicine, Ajou University, made a welcoming speech, Mr. Ahn, Chung Yong, President of Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, gave a keynote speech.
In the morning of 18th, representatives of each country made reports on what is the role of civil society in reducing poverty in northeast Asia. Ms. Jia Xijin gave a brief introduction on civil society in poverty-reduction and development in China. Dr. Liu Qunyi introduced development and work of Dream Project which was registered in America from the angle of improving the education situations in poor areas. In the afternoon, all the representatives visited the Foreign Workers Quarter and met with migrant workers to discuss how to guarantee the rights of illegal residents in Korea. In the morning of 19th, representative of each country made reports on what the factors of conflict are in Northeast Asia and what civil society can do to prevent conflicts in the region. Mr. Haoming Huang described the reason, actuality and solution of conflict on three levels: Global, Northeast Asia and China. In the afternoon, all representatives had a field trip to DMZ to get a better understanding about the break up of South Korea and North Korea, and prospected the vision of peace.
The forum will have a positive effect in strengthening the communication and cooperation among youth in Northeast Asia.