The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation has announced a US$10 million donation to support The China Law Center of Yale Law School for five years.
The grant, which will provide general support to the Center's programs over five years, is among the largest foundation grants ever made to a Yale Law School program. Hewlett Foundation President Paul Brest said supporting the evolution of China's legal system is invaluable to the country's emergence on the world stage.
"Helping China improve its legal system furthers an array of goals, from supporting civil rights and civil liberties to increasing China's effectiveness in business," Brest said. "It's of global importance for China to have the best possible legal system. The Foundation is proud to help with this effort."
From its inception in 1999, The China Law Center has focused on designing and carrying out in-depth cooperative projects between U.S. and Chinese experts on key issues of Chinese law and policy reform. In interaction with its teaching and research missions, the Center also works to strengthen the capacity of reformers in China, partnering with a range of Chinese institutions such as law schools, courts, administrative agencies and non-governmental organizations.
"We are delighted that the Hewlett Foundation has agreed to make this extraordinary commitment to strengthen and expand The China Law Center's efforts to help advance the rule of law and related policy reforms in China," said Dean Harold Hongju Koh of Yale Law School. "This level of support is unprecedented in the field of Chinese legal studies and legal reform and affirms the Center's key role in the life of an increasingly global Yale Law School. This grant guarantees that Yale Law School will continue as the leading center of thinking and understanding regarding a country of surpassing importance, which enjoys deep historical ties with our university."
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, one of the nation's largest, with assets of more than US$8 billion, makes grants to address the most serious social and environmental problems facing society. The Foundation concentrates its resources on activities in education, environment, global development, performing arts and population.
