User:Korbomite/Global Village of Beijing

Global Village of Beijing (GVB) is a non-profit non-governmental organization working on issues regarding sustainable development in the People's Republic of China mainly through environmental education in the form of production and distribution of multimedia publications. It's one of China's oldest and most well-established non-government organizations, with a large network of academic and journalist volunteers.

The group says its mission is "advancing sustainable development in China through creation of an environmental culture." Currently, much of its work focuses on the LOHO Model, an exploratory service platform and community-supported agricultural model aiming to link urban "green" communities with local organic farming communities throughout mainland China.

History
The organization was formed as a charitable trust on September 11, 1961, in Morges, Switzerland, under the name World Wildlife Fund. It was an initiative of Julian Huxley and Max Nicholson, who had thirty years experience of linking progressive intellectuals with big business interests through the Political and Economic Planning think tank. There is also a head office in Toronto, Canada for the Canadian Fund.

In its deed of foundation, the organization stated its original mission to be the "conservation of world fauna, flora, forests, landscape, water, soils and other natural resources by the management of land, research and investigation, and publicity, coordination of efforts, cooperation with other interested parties and all other appropriate means."

In the last few years, the organization set up offices and operations around the world. The initial focus of its activities was the protection of endangered species. As more resources became available, its operations expanded into other areas such as the preservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of natural resources, and the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.