SHANGHAI , Aug. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has become the first hospitality company to partner with the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), in a bid to provide leadership training and fund projects that bring about positive societal change.
The partnership, officially launched at an event in Shanghai, focuses on the Charity Future - Hilton program, an incubator project to support student-led charity societies. Over the next two years, the partnership aims to provide youth leaders from 200 student-led charity societies across 100 universities with access to leadership and training opportunities. Students can also apply for seed funding to implement local social impact projects.
"Our youth will be the next generation of change-makers in business and society, it is critical that we recognize the challenges they face and provide them with better opportunities," said Qian Jin, president Greater China and Mongolia, Hilton. "We are pleased to partner with the CFPA, to share our expertise and leverage our growing portfolio in China, to support young people and local communities across the country."
Charity Future - Hilton draws heavily on the vast network and extensive experience of the CFPA, one of China's most influential NGOs. The CFPA's efforts to alleviate poverty have impacted more than 24 million people in need across China.
Mr. Yadong Ding, Secretary General of the CFPA, said, "Charity Future - Hilton represents an important model for our organization to collaborate with industry leading businesses. Through this partnership we can make practical, lasting changes to the lives of a whole generation of students as well as the communities where they live."
This year, Hilton and CFPA have awarded 60 charity societies with seed grants worth RMB 10,000 or RMB 5,000. Student leaders from these charity societies gathered at East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), where they presented progress on their self-organized charitable projects, received valuable feedback from experts, and underwent leadership training.
The awarded projects focus on a range of societal issues, including poverty alleviation, environmental protection, services to disadvantaged community members and advocacy for community causes. Charity Future - Hilton is an integral piece of the company's Travel with Purpose commitment to create meaningful opportunities for people, strengthen communities and preserve the environment. The program is expected to impact 10,000 young people, helping Hilton towards its goal to impact 1 million youth by 2019.
In addition to collaborating with organizations such as the CFPA to develop and equip youth, Hilton has also partnered with the International Youth Foundation to present the Global Youth Wellbeing Index, the second edition of which was recently previewed at the United Nations Youth Assembly. The Index indicates that too many young people remain disconnected from vital job skills and economic opportunities, and that investment in youth is urgently needed at this moment in history, when half of the world's population is under 30.
More than 24,000 people are employed across Hilton's portfolio of over 100 hotels and corporate offices in China. Tens of thousands of more jobs are being created with its existing pipeline of 275 hotels. To help meet its demand for talent, the company has also built strategic alliances with various Chinese universities and academic institutions across the country.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, comprising nearly 5,000 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties with more than 825,000 rooms in 103 countries and territories. For 98 years, Hilton has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of 14 world-class global brands includes Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton Honors®. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app, where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn and Instagram.
About CFPA
Founded in 1989 and registered with China's Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) and administrated by The State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development (CPAD), China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA) is a Chinese poverty alleviation non-governmental organization (NGO). In the Chinese foundation ranking reviews organized by the MCA in 2007 and 2013, CFPA was awarded as one of 5A foundations (the highest level). With the support from multiple donors, CFPA has raised RMB 24.867 billion in poverty alleviation funds and materials by 2016, benefited more than 29 million poverty-stricken and disaster-affected people, and already become the largest and most influential NGO that specializes in poverty alleviation in China.
