Fondation de France Asia: building bridges of generosity between France and Asia

Already present in Asia through a number of emergency response operations, Fondation de France is establishing itself in Hong Kong with the creation of Fondation de France Asia. The aim is to develop cross-border philanthropic connections. Axelle Davezac, CEO of Fondation de France, attended the Palace Museum in Hong Kong on 2 July alongside Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macao, and Michael Wong, Hong Kong's Deputy Financial Secretary, for the official launch of this new international office headed by Julien-Loïc Garin.

"At the international level, Fondation de France's mission is to encourage generosity that transcends borders, and we are convinced there are close links to be established with Hong Kong. This dynamic city is becoming the philanthropic hub of Asia," said Axelle Davezac at the event, which was attended by 250 people. Among them were patrons and figures in philanthropy in Hong Kong, Hong Kong politicians and representatives of business, education and culture. Five French institutions presented their public-interest initiatives in the educational, scientific, cultural, and humanitarian sectors: Fondation de l'École Polytechnique, Fondation HEC, the NGO Handicap International, Institut Imagine and Musée des Arts Décoratifs de Paris.

Axelle Davezac, CEO of Fondation de France, at the Palace Museum in Hong Kong on 2 July 2024, for the launch of Fondation de France Asia.
© D.R.

"The objectives of Fondation de France Asia in Hong Kong are perfectly aligned with our Consulate's mission to establish meaningful connections between French and Hong Kong cultural institutions, schools and universities," said Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau.

In addition to expanding Fondation de France's international network of donors, one of the missions of Fondation de France Asia is to facilitate cooperation between French and Asian organisations and implement cross-border projects in various areas of public interest such as development of education and research, cultural exchanges and heritage preservation, and the environment. For example, a partnership has already been formed between Fondation de l'École Polytechnique and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to encourage exchanges between French and Hong Kong students and researchers and to co-finance scientific research projects.

These partnerships are set to increase in number over the coming months: "The aim is to develop relationships with philanthropic organisations in other Asian countries, foster new cooperative ventures and co-construct public-interest projects. For example, we are already supporting two donor-advised funds set up in France by Chinese organisations: the Tongji Foundation, which promotes cooperation between China, Europe, and France in areas such as the fight against global warming, food security and gender equality, and the BoXiao Foundation, which supports Franco-Chinese cooperation in medical research," explains Julien-Loïc Garin, Executive Director of Fondation de France Asia.

 FURTHER READING

→ Philanthropy and democracy, challenges and outlook for foundations