Wang Zhenyao is one of driving forces behind the promotion of the concept of modern philanthropy in China. His is a consultant to many Chinese philanthropists and also encourages entrepreneurs to get involved in the philanthropic sector. Before becoming one of the most influential promoters of philanthropy in China, Wang worked in the Ministry of Civil Affairs for over 22 years, where he became famous as the “the father of rural election in China.” His other main achievements in the Ministry include the creation of a disaster relief system and the establishment the urban and rural minimum subsistence allowance system. He was elected as one of the “30 Social Figures of 30 years’ Reform and Opening-up of China.”

Gerry Salole is the Chief Executive of the European Foundation Centre (EFC). The EFC is an association of over 230 public-benefit foundations and corporate funders active in philanthropy in Europe and elsewhere, aiming at promoting and strengthening transnational philanthropic activity in Europe. The EFC provides resources, training and consulting for the philanthropic sector, advocates for the creation of the legal and fiscal frameworks allowing for transnational European Philanthropy such as the European Foundation Statue and creates thematic networks of European Foundations such as the forthcoming Foundation House in Brussels, which will provide a communication platform to discuss policy issues and connect foundations with NGO´s and policy makers.

Michael Kahn-Ackermann, Stiftung Mercator China Special Representative

Stiftung Mercator is one of the largest private foundations in Germany. It pursues clearly defined objectives in its thematic clusters of integration, climate change and arts education and it achieves these objectives with a combination of socio-political advocacy and practical work. Stiftung Mercator implements its own projects and supports external projects in its centers for science and humanities, education and international affairs. It takes an entrepreneurial, professional and international approach to its work. China is the most important new political and economic ac- tor in the emerging, multipolar world and a country with extraordinary potential. Quite simply, international development is no longer conceivable without China. This demands a better and more nuanced understanding of Chinese reality, especially in Germany. This is what we hope to achieve in long-term partnerships and cooperative ventures. Currently, Stiftung Mercator is funding several different projects in China: school and youth exchanges, multiplier en- counters and fellowship programmes for young managers in the areas of civil society, politics, academia and business. For more information, please visit: http://www.stiftung-mercator.de/en.