NGOs in China and Europe Comparisons and Contrasts

This volume presents a comparison of the experiences of NGOs in China and Europe. The chapters on China contain the most comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of various types of NGOs currently active in the country. The contributions on foreign NGOs in China, non-governmental think tanks, public interest legal organizations, labour related NGOs and charity organizations, are the first in English to discuss successful experiences as well as the difficulties they face in the post-Mao era. The European studies draw examples from countries where the experiences of NGOs are at various stages of development. The section on NGOs in Central and Eastern Europe examines the rapid expansion of civil society and their pivotal role in promoting political change and building democracy in a transitional society, as well as the challenges they confront in advancing a strong civil society. Those chapters on NGOs' experiences in Western European countries, especially in the Netherlands and the UK, provide insightful information and examination of the most contentious issues concerning NGOs' accountability, governance and relationship with the government.

Yuwen Li, Associate Professor of Chinese Law, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands. She holds a BA in Chinese law from Peking University, an MA in international law and international relations from the Institute of Social Studies, and a PhD in international law from Utrecht University, The Netherlands. Since 2002 She has acted as co-director of the legal cooperation project on NGOs in China, which is funded by the Dutch Embassy in Beijing and the Chinese partner is the Institute of Law of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.