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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), and co-hosted by the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, the 4^th World Philanthropy Forum was held in Shenzhen on 5-6 September 2019. 

On the theme of “Philanthropy in the Bay Area for A Better Life”, the Forum explored the role of different professional sectors in various aspects of philanthropy under the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). It aspired to bring together expertise and philanthropic experiences for the promotion of regional and global charity advancement. The Forum encompassed two speeches by the Guests of Honor, ten keynote speeches, six thematic sessions, three high-level roundtable forums, a closed-door roundtable forum and five collaboration initiatives. 

At the opening ceremony hosted by Ms Li Xiaoli, President of CPAFFC, Ms. Li Bin, Vice-Chairperson of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Dr. Péter Medgyessyz, Former Prime Minister of Hungary gave speeches as the Guests of Honor to launch the Forum. Professor Tan Tieniu, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr. Ai Xuefeng, Vice Mayer of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, Ms. Chen Xu, Chairperson of the University Council of Tsinghua University, Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK and Professor Terry Au, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of HKU also delivered remarks at the ceremony. 

Keynote addresses were then delivered by Mr. Wang Aiwen, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Dr. Anthony Chow, Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Mr. Gary Stahl, Director of the Division of Private Fundraising and Partnerships of UNICEF. The Forum attracted over 300 guests from the governments, enterprises, charities, tertiary institutions and UN-related organisations of 22 countries and cities in Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Oceania.   

CUHK members including Professor Fok Tai-fai, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wong Suk-ying, Associate Vice-President and Professor Steven Ngai, Department Chairman of Social Work exchanged views with the audience at the thematic sessions concerning children’s wellbeing and talent nurturing. Professor Ngai also took this valuable opportunity to announce jointly with Tsinghua University, at the closing ceremony, the latest collaboration plan on social service leading talents training.

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 and Shanghai with themes on “New Ecology and New Public Welfare”, “Collaboration” and “Building a Sustainable Community with a Shared Future for Mankind”.