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Jointly hosted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Tsinghua University and The University of Hong Kong (HKU), the World Philanthropy Forum (WPF) 2020 Special Symposium was held online and onsite at Beijing on 12 November.  Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Co-Chair of WPF and Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, Ms. Chen Xu, Co-Chair of WPF and Chairperson of the University Council of Tsinghua University, Professor Zhang Xiang, Co-Chair of WPF and Vice-Chancellor and President of HKU, and Mr. Lin Songtian, President of CPAFFC delivered remarks at the opening ceremony.  Two keynote speeches were given by Mr. Gong Puguang, Vice Chairperson of the Social Development Affairs Committee of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), President of the China Charity Federation, and Mr. Qiao Wei, President of the Overseas Chinese Charity Foundation of China, Consultant of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese respectively.  Around 60 guests from the United Nations (UN), government ministries, enterprises, social organizations, research institutions, and media attended the symposium onsite and more than 3,200 guests joined the event via the bilingual online platform.

With the theme of “International Public Welfare and Philanthropy Cooperation in the Post-Pandemic Era”, the symposium focused on “Global Economic Integration”, “Global Philanthropy Connection and Leadership” and “Life in Community. Professor Tuan said in his opening speech that the COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges for all sectors over the world.  It was clearly illustrated by the pandemic that the world has to work together. CUHK had been devoting every effort to react, adapt and innovate to respond to the challenges to ensure the safety and well-being of their members, while fulfilling their primary responsibilities on education, research and serving the community.  Collaborations between universities, charities, social services, and public institutions should be strengthened, so that universities could serve the global society more effectively. Through the platform of the WPF, it was hoped that all parties need to continue to work together in facing the challenges posed by the pandemic, strengthen social cohesion, and promote the peaceful development of the country and the world.

Invited speakers joining the symposium included Mr, Getachew Engida, Former UNESCO Deputy Director General and current Co-President of China-Africa Leadership Development Tsinghua University, Mr. He Changchui, IEAS Academician and Former Director at the Food and Agriculture Organisation of UN, Ms. Fan Li, President of Chinese Geriatrics Society, and Former Vice President of the 301 Hospital, Mr. Cheung Leong, Executive Director of Charities and Community of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Professor Shi Kang, Deputy Director of The CUHK - Tsinghua University Joint Research Center for Chinese Economy, Professor Samuel Wong, Director of the Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care of CUHK, and Ms. Xu Honglan, Vice Mayor of Wuhan Municipal People's Government. The speakers exchanged views with participants in thematic sessions concerning global cooperation and leadership, food security, poverty alleviation governance and human welfare, community funding and development, and community mental health.

Since 2016, the World Philanthropy Forum has been held annually with commitment to promotion and implementation of philanthropic services, academic exchange, policy advocacy and experience sharing of charities worldwide.  Previous forums were held in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen with themes on "New Ecology and New Public Welfare", "Collaboration", "Building a Sustainable Community of Shared Future for Mankind" and “Philanthropy in the Bay Area for Better Life”.