News Briefing: China embraces modern philanthropy era, legislation lags

China embraces modern philanthropy era, legislation lags [Xinhua]

India's new rich prove reluctant philanthropists [AFP]

Economy dampens Connecticut nonprofits’ fund campaigns [Hartford Business Journal]

News Briefing: Food Banks, in a Squeeze, Tighten Belts

• Nearly 12,000 applicants for homeowner aid through a hurricane recovery program have not signed up for grant appointments, as deadline looms.  [Associated Press]

• Food banks around the country are reporting critical food shortages.  [Associated Press]

• A Greek court dismisses the criminal case against former curator of the Getty Museum.  [New York Times]   

News Briefing: In India, Poverty Inspires Technology Workers to Altruism

• New Indian Web site brings the social-networking revolution to the world's poor.  [New York Times]

• A coalition of religious leaders urges Congress to ensure that the poor are protected from the effects of climate change.  [Associated Press]

• The Salvation Army's Chicago Metropolitan Division prepares to build a Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center at a cost of $159.9 million; majority of funding to come from the bequest of Joan Kroc.  [Chicago Tribune]

News Briefing: Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Lincoln Center Lead in Donations

• The Princeton University Art Museum to return eight antiquities to Italy.  [Associated Press]

• Bono's anti-poverty groups to merge in the U.S., forming one organization to tackle poverty.  [Reuters]

• The One Laptop per Child Foundation offers computers - developed for the world's poor - on its website for $200 apiece.  [Reuters]

• The Children's Museum of Los Angeles receives the largest gift in its history - $10 million from an anonymous donor.  [Los Angeles Times]

• Houston's Museum of Fine Arts rakes in $185.8 million in donations in 2006, topping the list for U.S. arts organizations.  [Bloomberg]

News Briefing: Cosmetics Heir to Lead World Jewish Congress

• Cosmetics magnate Ronald Lauder elected president of the World Jewish Congress.  [New York Times]

• Bono's anti-poverty campaign pressures presidential candidates to make global poverty and global health priorities.  [Associated Press]

TED Video: Novogratz on Rethinking Poverty

This post is, in some ways, a correction of a review I did on the launch of TED's new video portal, featuting scores of fascinating lectures from its innovative long-running series. I'd jumped the gun a bit by complaining that the videos couldn't be embedded in other blogs - that is to say, show here. Turns out that was true for some of the videos at launch and now, it seems all the videos can indeed be embedded elsewhere. My original point was that this is great for stimulating a real conversation, which is what the TED video launch is about. So kudos to the TED team for making it happen.

And what better way to tell you about the TED videos than to show you one - this is a lecture by Acumen Fund founder Jacqueline Novogratz last year about rethinking how the west goes about fighting poverty. I've heard bits and pieces of Jacqueline's presentation at recent conferences, including Skoll and Milken, but this is her full-on argument and it's well-worth watching.

Bloomberg Plans New Office to Help New York’s Poor

New York Times:  The city is planning to spend an extra $150 million a year in public and private money on the core priority of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s second term: combating poverty that is hidden beneath New York’s vast wealth.

Philanthropy or Poverty Tourism?

JustGiving: Big splash in The Guardian on Saturday about a new reality TV show that makes multi-millionaire businessmen live on state benefits for 10 days in some of the most deprived areas of Britain. At the end of their tenure slumming it under the watchful gaze of the cameras, the participants in Secret Millionaire decide which members of their oblivious community deserve the £50,000 they've agreed to give away. So the undercover millionaire receives a kind word from an unsuspecting shop assistant, or a smile from the single mum next door, and in return pops a whacking great cheque in the post.

Hmm...Is this innovative, socially conscious programming that encourages redistribution of wealth? Or is it poverty voyeurism that encourages only viewing figures?