Asia Philanthropy Circle Sharing Session
Lionel first met Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC) Co-Founder Laurence in Beijing five years ago. They crossed paths in the foreign land half a decade later due to their involvement in charity activities. On the morning of 7 May 2021, APC and Li Foundation held their first philanthropy sharing session along the banks of the scenic Singapore River. Next to it stands the Progress & Advancement Sculpture donated by Laurence’s grandfather, Dr. Lien Ying Chow in 1988.
Lionel spoke about his experience of leaving Beijing and embarking on a new philanthropic journey here in Singapore. Stacey also shared APC’s mission and vision, as well as the philanthropy projects they actively supported and catalysed in the past few years. Both parties had in-depth discussions on even more possible philanthropic collaborations in the near future. APC is prominent and has profound influence in Southeast Asia. Li Foundation hopes that more regional philanthropists will tap on the extensive platform APC provides to better integrate resources for growth and to create greater impacts.
Dr George Lien Ying Chow (1906-2004) was an eminent Asian business leader, banker and hotelier. He is one of the founders of Overseas Union Bank, one of Southeast Asia’s largest banks before it was acquired by United Overseas Bank (UOB) in 2001. As a philanthropist, he was closely associated with education and he cofounded Nanyang University and Ngee Ann Polytechnic. In 1980, Dr. Lien donated almost half his wealth to set up Lien Foundation, the Lien Family’s philanthropic arm. He had aspirations for our younger generation to strive for a better future for our nation.
Laurence Lien is Co-Founder and CEO of the Asia Philanthropy Circle. He is also the Chairman of Lien Foundation. Under his leadership, Lien Foundation has become well-regarded for its forward-thinking and radical approach in the fields of education, eldercare and the environment.
Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC) is a membership-based platform for philanthropists to learn, connect, and collaborate towards advancing a better Asia. Founded in 2015 by philanthropists for philanthropists, APC’s mission is to accelerate private action for the public good by addressing systemic challenges through collaborative philanthropy. Li Foundation is a member of Asia Philanthropy Circle.
The book showcases how the participants challenged their limits and conquered the World Marathon Challenge and North Pole Marathon to inspire people to challenge their own limits and pursue their dreams boldly.
The book tells the stories behind the event which saw the largest number of people in history running 1045km round Taiwan in 19 days.
