On April 18, the Chinese Academy for Social Sciences’ (CASS) leading group on poverty alleviation held a meeting in Beijing. Gao Xiang, CASS secretary-general and the group’s director, presided over the meeting and delivered a speech outlining strategies to improve the livelihoods of people in poverty-stricken regions of China.

Gao pointed out that in order to better serve the people, philosophy and social sciences need to implement measures in the experimental zone of Danfeng county, Shaanxi Province. The county’s long history, rugged natural environment and important strategic position make it an ideal frontline in the fight against poverty.

Gao noted that advancing poverty alleviation not only benefits CASS scholars altruistically, but also deepens their knowledge and promotes academic innovation. He called on the leading group to vigorously promote poverty alleviation. Gao also encouraged relevant leaders to personally carry out field investigations in Danfeng and urged more young scholars to play their part in eradicating poverty.

Since 1993, CASS has implemented a series of measures aimed at alleviating poverty in Danfeng county. For the past 20 years, CASS has given full play to its own advantages and provided the area with support in the fields of education, health care, ecology, infrastructure and technology. Efforts by CASS have been lauded by local cadres and residents alike. Poverty-alleviation funds have reached more than 100 million yuan ($16 million), financing more than 300 projects aimed at lifting people out of poverty.

In future, CASS will optimize its role as a think tank to further spearhead poverty-alleviation initiatives and focus more on poverty alleviation in education. As CASS adheres to the road of poverty alleviation, it will intensify its guidance for poverty relief organizations and further promote development in the field as part of its mission to provide a “big model for poverty alleviation.”

The Chinese version appeared in Chinese Social Sciences Today(CASS Special Edition) No.244.

Chinese link: http://cass.cssn.cn/yaowen/201404/t20140425_1124465.html

Translated by Yu Hui

Revised by Tom Fearon