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China is a country of contrasts. It is the size of the US but has one billion more people. Beijing, where I just spent a week, is amazing. Multi story buildings popping up like mushrooms. The city is 100 miles by 100 miles with 20+ million people. More cars than you would ever want to see. So much so that if your license plate ends in a certain number you cannot drive on that day. Bicycles and cargo bikes all over weaving in and out of traffic.
 I visited two migrant "private" schools located on the edge of the city in areas of abject poverty. Migrants cannot live in the city, same for their children who most often stay home with grandparents. The migrant children must pay to go to a school with old rugs for the playground and dilapidated buildings. Nevertheless there is a genuine effort to teach the children.
It seems, if you live in the country you try to get into the city. When reference is made to western China; it means rural and poverty. Millions of children are getting no education. 1% of the population holds 70% of the wealth.
Philanthropy is just getting started in China with less than 400 foundations. Some of the foundations are sophisticated in their work such as the Narada Foundation. The people I met with are eager to learn about philanthropy. Our book Grassroots Philanthropy is now in Chinese and is getting widely distributed and receiving an enthusiastic response. Part of the reason for my visit was to introduce the book.
There are "a few million" non government organizations in China, most not recognized by the government for tax exemption. There are possibly 400 that are recognized by the government. The non recognized ones I visited were run by very dedicated people in very modest circumstances. It was heartening to see this - people concerned about each other and doing something about it.
 One "non profit" that works in rural areas places college students for a month during the summer and young adults 20-40 for 1-2 years. Sort of like a Peace Corps.
Beijing Normal University sponsored my talk with graduate students who are studying philanthropy in the School of Social Development and Public Policy.
In appreciation for my talk I was given a certificate appointing me a professor at the University for three years. Maybe I'll get free parking on campus.
The Dean of the School of Social Development and Public Policy, Zhang Xiulan, is very supportive of philanthropy and foresees major changes in the future regarding foundations and non profit groups.
It is exciting to think about philanthropy in China and how fast things are changing. It was a young Chinese man who taught me the term "add oil" which is used in China meaning, get going, cheers, good luck, move! A very appropriate term for China.
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