Rockefeller Foundation looks to strengthen presence in China

“Chinese president Xi Jinping has really offered a great inspiration for many of us to work together.”Sundaa Bridgett-Jones, Senior Associate Director of Rockefeller Foundation, told China.org.cn when she attended the Second World Philanthropy Forum in Beijing that was jointly organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Tsinghua University in Beijing on November 29, 2017.

Speaking of the role the philanthropy plays in building a community with a shared future for mankind, Sundaa said the non-government sector plays a role in being a part of that.There are many instances in which the philanthropic communities come together around shared interests, such as climate change issues and public health. It is significant to call for philanthropic institutions to come together to support humankind.

“The Rockefeller Foundation really wants to seek opportunities to partner with governments, academia and companies around the world,” said Sundaa. “Any opportunity for us to work in partnership to leverage the networks and resources in the non-governmental sector is truly fantastic.”

She cited the Co-Impact as an example, which is a partnership of results-oriented donors who want to give and learn together, and are pooling resources, networks, and expertise to drive lasting change at scale.“We will love to have China philanthropic interest be a part of this and join our efforts with China not only in the health area, but also around education, energy, food security and some of the great challenges that we all share around the world.” Sundaa said.

The foundation had a significant history in China and launched the China Medical Board (CMB) in 1914 and established the Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) in 1917.

“I think we also want to build on that legacy as well and find other opportunities to partner with philanthropic and other institutions here in China,” Sundaa said.