Start from daily life, start from small things, start from the hobby, and tell us your volunteer stories.  On May 30, 2013, Pramerica Fosun Spirit of Community Awards officially kicks off in Shanghai. The program is sponsored by Fosun Foundation and Pramerica Financial, in partnership with Youth League Shanghai Committee.

The program in the United States is the country’s largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. It was created in 1995 by Pramerica Financial to honor middle level and high school students. Over the past 18 years, more than 350,000 young Americans have participated in the program, and more than 100,000 of them have been officially recognized for their volunteer efforts. Over the years, the program has grown to an international network and attracted thousands of young people to participate.

In 2013, Fosun Foundation and PRAMERICA FINANCIAL together bring the program to China.  In May, Pramerica Fosun Spirit of Community Awards will roll out, together with the similar programs in the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland and India. The slogan of the program is “let the volunteer spirit shine”.

Greg Loder, Executive Director, Pramerica Spirit of Community Initiative, who flew over purposely for the event, spoke at the launch event. He said Shanghai is a good city to start the program; our goal is to recognize Chinese young people who are making a positive difference in their communities, and we hope that will inspire others to think about how they too might volunteer in their communities; students have started many innovative projects, and they've told us it's helped them get a head start with a number of skills such as leadership, organization, and public speaking.

Mr. Wu Ping, chairman of Fosun Foundation said in his speech, the program has significant meaning for the growth of Chinese youth in terms of volunteering for their communities. Fosun hopes that, with support of Youth League, the program will settle down well in China and drives the volunteering spirit among youth. It helps Chinese young people to expand their exposure and develop their sense of responsibilities for communities. 

Mr. Feng Zhigang, principal of Shanghai High School said, ethics is one of the key areas of education. He believes the program would be a good supplement to the current school education.  Shanghai High School, with its 150 years’ history, takes prides in being the 1st stop of the program in China.  The school will promote the program and encourage young people to volunteer for their communities.

Mr. Du Xiaofeng, Chief Editor of Middle School Journal expressed his concern on the education status in China. We shall still continue to promote helping elderly which is a traditional example of helping others.  However, with the development of China society, the youth shall involve them in more innovative ways to helping others and making contributions.

Mr.Yi Zhongtian, one of the famous contemporary scholar says, each Chinese parents hope their kid would become a talent in the future. However, the tradition Chinese education just focuses on academics but ignoring the kids’ interest. A recent study in Shanghai shows that 79% students expressed an interest in participating in volunteer programs. It indicates that students do not lack willingness to volunteer but lack guidance. 

The Pramerica Fosun Spirit of Community Awards is the latest partnership between Pramerica Financial and the Fosun Group. The two companies are also partners in a private equity fund, called the Pramerica-Fosun China Opportunity Fund, L.P., and a life insurance joint venture, the Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

Pramerica Financial is a trade name used by Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI), a company incorporated and with its principal place of business in the United States, and its affiliates in select countries outside the United States. PFI of the United States and its subsidiaries are not affiliated in any manner with Prudential plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.