News Roundup

NEWS ROUNDUP - from Philanthropy Journal
(selected items only; my comment inside bracket)
12.28.2004 -

* Due to emergency food crises and budget cutbacks, the Bush administration has withdrawn commitments and cut donations to global food aid programs, as much as $100 million, some charities estimate, at a time when global hunger is on the rise, the New York Times reported Dec. 23.

(so is the U.S. Government "stingy"...?)

* The first charity reform bill in England in 400 years requires public schools to demonstrate a "public benefit" to keep their charitable status, charges the Charity Commission with establishing the parameters of public benefit and provides regulations for street fundraisers, the Guardian reported Dec. 22.

(an important development that all past and present Commonwealth countries/regions should pay attention to, given we all follow the British law tradition, including laws relating to charity...)

* A renewed surge in philanthropic activity in China, brought about by greater reform and openness, will fuel social development in the country, experts said at the Second China Philanthropy Forum in Beijing, China Economic Net reported Dec. 23.

(one important development is the release of the new foundation administration regulations by the State Council, but need to see how the new law is implemented...)

* The National Alliance for Choice in Giving will host more than 50 workplace giving groups, including the American Red Cross and Community Shares USA, at a conference Jan. 20-23 in Las Vegas to discuss increasing diversity and choice in workplace drives, which raise an estimated $4 billion for charity, CSRwire reported Dec. 22.

(workplace drive - recurrent giving from employees by way of regular payroll deduction - should be revived in Hong Kong... perhaps starting from the civil service?)