IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Insurance charity fund

China Children and Teenagers' Fund, together with AIA, a leading life insurer, launched a "AIA Insurance Charity Fund" to help rebuild earthquake-stricken regions in Sichuan as well as women and children in poverty-stricken areas.

So far, AIA and its staff have donated 6 million yuan to China Children and Teenagers' Fund. "We hope establishment of such a fund will make our commitments to charity more efficient," says Chen Rongsheng, president of AIA China.

PepsiCo helps water charity

PepsiCo China has just re-invested 1 million yuan for its clean water "Mother Cellar Program", making its total donation 1.66 million yuan.

"Mother Cellar Program" was initiated by China Women's Development Foundation and helps poverty-stricken families in western China get clean and healthy water supplies. PepsiCo is one of the first multinational companies to take part in the philanthropic project in 2001.

Orphans aid cooperation

The Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs and the China Life Charity Fund, set up by China Life Insurance, have entered into a cooperation agreement on helping orphans who lost their families in the Wenchuan earthquake to rebuild their lives.

From December 2008 China Life Charity Fund will offer 600 yuan a month to each of 624 orphans till they are 18 years old or are adopted by others. China Life Charity Fund says that the sponsoring standard will be adjustable in consideration of people's living standards and inflation.

Leadership development

Johnson Controls will cooperate with Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) China to offer a platform for Chinese college students to develop leadership and teamwork.

Topics on environmental protection and sustainable development will first be brought into SIFE's programs in 2008-2009. Over 80 SIFE teams will work on the topics; and best ones will get the chance to participate in a competition sponsored by Johnson Controls.

James Hulbert, regional leadership development director at Johnson Controls Asia-Pacific, comments that through the cooperation with SIFE, Johnson Controls has extended its leadership development program and sustainable development to colleges, enabling students to know how to become successful and responsible leaders. It is a win-win-win situation for society, the company, and the students, he adds.

(China Daily 12/01/2008 page8)