This morning, Microsoft man and the second richest man in the world, Bill Gates, gave a speech at Peking University in Beijing to reach out to students about the important of charity.
It’s no surprise that Bill Gates would choose such a high calibre educational institution to give a speech about giving. Peking University, amongst Tsinghua and Fudan University rank in the top three schools in China, thereby often producing the most successful and powerful people in China’s future. Bill Gates is also a trustee of Peking University.
Since leaving the helm of Microsoft, Bill Gates has devoted himself to the role of Chairman of the Gates Foundation. The foundation’s belief is that “all lives have equal value” and seeks to help people live healthy and productive lives and lift themselves out of poverty. The foundation has already funded initiatives totalling US$24.8 billion from 1994.
In his speech, Gates encouraged students to start thinking about charity and giving early. Gates believes that the young generation play a pivotal role in making the world a better place by leading social trends. He also talked about the importance of innovation, noting breakthrough may take a long time but it is what is needed to “promote the development of mankind.”