Back to Basics: Alleviating Poverty in China
VIEW EVENT DETAILSJack Tang Memorial Lecture Series
Evening Discussion
Drinks reception at 6.00pm
Discussion at 7.00pm
Close at 8.00pm
Hundreds of millions of people have been pulled out of poverty in China. Yet despite the world’s second largest economy making remarkable economic progress over the past few decades, many have been left behind. With 11.8 percent of the population living below the poverty line of less than US$1 a day, the vast country of 1.36 billion still faces many challenges. Indeed, alleviating poverty requires the government to work together with not-for-profit organizations and the private sector. How can these different sectors be brought together to eradicate poverty? How can the private sector be engaged, and encouraged to do more? With many households still lacking access to institutional finance, is microfinance an effective tool for promoting poverty reduction for households? Panelists will discuss how poverty and inequality in China can be reduced in a sustainable manner true to the social values and cultural identity of the vast nation.
Christophe Bahuet, China Country Director, United Nations Development Programme
Christophe Bahuet became China Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme in 2011. He was previously UNDP Deputy Country Director in Vietnam (2007-2011), and his earlier UNDP Country Office assignments included Ghana, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. Mr. Bahuet was previously based in New York Headquarters with the Evaluation Office and with the Partnership Bureau in charge of international financial organizations. He has degrees from the University of Bordeaux and National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilisations, Paris; and a master’s degree in economics and development from Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris.
Brett Rierson, China Representative, World Food Programme
Brett Rierson is responsible for the World Food Programme’s relations with the Chinese government, private sector and high net worth donors. Prior to this, he was the Senior Officer for the WFP’s Private Partnership Division in Asia and Lead for WFP’s Global Finance Initiative. He has also served as Deputy Managing Director of the Clinton Global Initiative in Asia. Mr. Rierson has a diverse background that includes experience in the private sector, politics and humanitarian relief. He has worked across East and Southeast Asia since 1988, apart from periods in Paris and London. Mr. Rierson has degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from INSEAD.
Yimei Chen, Executive Director, China Development Brief
Yimei Chen is Executive Director of China Development Brief. She has also served as China Country Director for Mercy Corps, Deputy Secretary General of China Social Entrepreneur Foundation and Assistant to the Chief Representative at the Ford Foundation Beijing Office. Ms. Chen has consulted on China philanthropy, NGO and international development issues for Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisers, Mercy Corps, Give2Asia and China Medical Board. She is the author of “Dynamics of Global Philanthropy and China” and Guest Professor on Foundation Strategy at Beijing Normal University School of Social Development and Public Policy. Ms. Chen received her Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Yuen Chan, Lecturer, School of Journalism & Communication, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Yuen Chan is a lecturer in the School of Journalism and Communication at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She teaches English journalism to undergraduates and oversees the school’s English language journalism practicum. Prior to teaching, she worked for more than a decade as a journalist, columnist, anchor and presenter for English print, television and radio news in Hong Kong. Ms. Chan left Hong Kong in 2003 to become a correspondent based first in Shanghai and then Beijing. She has produced work for the BBC World Service, CBC, Radio National Australia, KQED and CNN International among others. (Moderator)
The Jack Tang Memorial Lecture Series pays tribute to Dr. Jack Tang, a founder of the Asia Society Hong Kong Center, and honors his legacy as a prominent business leader, educator and philanthropist. Dr. Tang believed strongly in providing opportunities for the next generation and was an ardent supporter of numerous education initiatives in the US and China.