A congratulatory letter from Mr. Sun Weilin

A congratulatory letter from Mr. Sun Weilin

Ladies and Gentleman, Distinguished guests, and dear friends,

Today we hold a grand ceremony to celebrate the starting of project implemented by CANGO Promoting NGO Development improving the legal environment & capacity building for NGOs, enhance network-building with stakeholders (PND project), which will contribute to both of capacity building and sustainable development for NGOs. On behalf of the State NGO Management Bureau, I send warm congratulations to this project promoted by EED, and wish the implementation of this project will be acomplete success.

In the 21st century, accompanying the processes of policy, economic, culture and society, NGOs in China have developed greatly. Within one decade, the number of NGOs such as social organizations, foundations and private non-enterprise units, has increased nearly three fold and exceeds 435,000 organizations. These organizations have formed an NGO system covering extensive fields, extensive coverage, optimized structures and reasonable distribution. Activities of NGOs have penetrated various aspects and levels of sociallife.This has proven to be very important element for improving economic development, a flourishing social program,promoting public participation in public administration andpublic welfareand expanding international exchanges.

Since the 17th National Congress of Communist Party of China, the Party's Central Committee and the State Council have paid more attention to NGO administration, which make NGOs give full scope to economy, policy, culture and society building. Whether it works and achieves the demands will depend onthe extent of how NGOs build their capacity. As a result, only if NGO's continue to build their capacity, regulate the operation and management of organizations, advance capacity and their levels of service, broaden the range and space for activities, can NGOs play their part well under the structure of three elements of social development --- government, enterprise and NGOs. This way they will be able to gradually demonstrate their advancing influence and credibility to society.

CANGO is one of the few NGOs in special consultative status of ECOSCO of the United Nations, which plays an important role in international exchanges. Hereon, EED supports CANGO to implement the PND project, which is going to improve NGO's professional capacity through study tours, training and exchange activities in order to advance social society. The breakthrough point of this project is significant for NGO development, which according with actual requirements of NGO will be of great supportto the State NGO Management Bureau. Therefore the Bureau will give full support to CANGO for this project. I express my heartfelt expectations for smooth implementation and anticipate good results. At the same time, I give sincere thanks to the sponsor, host and friends who care about NGO capacity building and administration.

At last, I take this opportunity to send my greetings and best wishes to you all.

Sun Weilin

Director General of the NGOState Management Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs