Following the successful conclusion of the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), Ms. Zhang Yinjun, Chairperson of the Beijing Changier Education Foundation, recently led a delegation to Boston, USA, to visit Harvard University. During the visit, she engaged in in-depth discussions with several renowned scholars on Sino-American philanthropic cooperation.

Professor James Robson (second from the right, front row), a professor in the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University, is a senior scholar at the Harvard-Yenching Institute and a former director of the Harvard Asia Center. He has long been dedicated to the study of Chinese culture.

Ms. Dorinda Dinda Elliott (right), Executive Director of the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies and the Harvard China Fund, has over 40 years of experience in Chinese studies. She also expressed her commitment to participating in the international philanthropic activities of the Changier Foundation whenever her schedule permits.

Master Yifa (first from the right), holds an LL.B. from National Taiwan University and a Ph.D. from Yale University. She is a senior researcher at the Harvard Asia Center, a chaplaincy training mentor at Harvard Divinity School, and the founder of the International Woodenfish Project. A long-time friend of Ms. Zhang Yinjun, Master Yifa has consistently focused on Chinese cultural and social development.

During the discussions, both parties engaged in lively exchanges regarding the philanthropic practices of the Changier Foundation in China. The three scholars highly praised the foundation’s initiatives, such as establishing "Changier Cabins" in schools, founding the "Mother’s Academy," and developing educational programs. They acknowledged the significant value of these efforts and expressed interest in conducting further research on their social impact and academic implications.

Both sides expressed great enthusiasm for future collaborations, with initial plans including but not limited to:

Sino-American Civilization Dialogue – Once conditions permit, the Changier Foundation and the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies will co-host a dialogue to foster exchanges and cooperation in the philanthropic sector between China and the United States.

Regular Student Internships and Research Projects – The Fairbank Center will dispatch students to participate in Changier Foundation’s projects in schools, communities, and academies, establishing a long-term mechanism for “student internships + research projects.” The inaugural program is set to launch this summer, with one to two interns participating for two months.

At the event, a scholar from the Fairbank Center, originally from Tianjin, shared his deep admiration for the Changier Foundation, having been familiar with its work before moving abroad. Meeting the Changier delegation at Harvard was an inspiring moment for him. (pictured left)

Roundtable Discussion with Harvard Students

Ms. Zhang Yinjun also engaged in a roundtable discussion with Harvard students at Science Center 309. The students showed keen interest in the work of the Changier Foundation, raising numerous insightful questions while diligently taking notes. The discussion, originally scheduled for 1.5 hours, extended to three hours due to active participation. Every attending student expressed enthusiasm for getting involved with the foundation and applied to become a Changier volunteer.

One student from Boston University’s Film and Television Studies program specifically traveled to the event and volunteered to support Changier Foundation’s international communications efforts. He offered to provide pro bono services in video recording, editing, filming, and distribution, aiming to contribute to women’s and children’s welfare through Changier’s international philanthropic platform.

The collaboration between the Changier Foundation and the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies marks an innovative step in academic research, cross-border cooperation, and philanthropic practice between Chinese NGOs and a world-class university. This partnership has the potential to yield several pioneering breakthroughs:

Integrating Chinese Philanthropy into Harvard’s Research System – If this collaboration successfully elevates Changier Foundation’s initiatives into research subjects, it would be the first time a local Chinese philanthropic model is studied within Harvard’s academic framework. While the Fairbank Center has long studied Chinese history, politics, and economics, in-depth research on Chinese philanthropic organizations has been rare.

Placing Fairbank Center Students in Chinese NGOs for Internships – Historically, students from the Fairbank Center have interned at government agencies and corporations. If they now embark on two-month internships at a Chinese NGO, working directly in schools and communities, it could set a precedent for a new type of experiential learning.

Establishing a Long-term Sino-American Philanthropic Cooperation Framework – If the collaboration evolves into a structured partnership involving sustained research, regular exchanges, and student internships, it would elevate transnational philanthropic cooperation to a platform-based model.

Institutional Profiles

Harvard University – Founded in 1636, Harvard is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the United States, renowned for its academic excellence worldwide.

Harvard-Yenching Institute – Established in 1928, the institute is affiliated with Harvard University and focuses on humanities and social sciences research in East Asia. It is dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and the U.S.

Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies – Founded in 1955 as the East Asian Research Center, it was later renamed in honor of the distinguished sinologist John King Fairbank. The center brings together leading scholars from around the world to advance research and academic exchange on China-related topics.