(CN) Beijing Zoo

[Guest guest]

China Daily

http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2003-03-07/107114.html

 

Transparency leads to public trust

(GUO ZI)

03/07/2003

 

The Beijing Zoo recently publicized an itemized account of the use of

public donations for its five injured bears.

It shows the zoo's accountability and sets a good example for other

institutions in terms of winning public trust.

 

Earlier last year, people reacted in shock when it was reported in

media headlines that a university student poured a mixture of caustic soda

and sulphuric acid over bears in the zoo in order to test their

intelligence. Five of the zoo's 14 bears got burned.

 

A total of almost 323,160 yuan (US$38,935) in donations has been

received by the zoo since the incidents.

 

About 142,814 yuan (US$17,207) has been spent on helping the bears

recover over the past year, which included medical costs, food and an

enclosure renovation.

 

With less than half of the money collected, the bears have recovered

from their serious wounds and are enjoying better care.

 

The detailed financial account was put on the zoo's website and

published by the Beijing Youth Daily.

 

Though not a big sum, the gesture has been appreciated by the public,

letting donors know how their money assisted the animals.

 

The report on the use of the donations shows due respect to the

donors.

 

As for the zoo, being transparent has cost it little and helped it

enhance its credibility, which is certainly worth more than the money.

 

Now and then people donate to various causes, such as children who are

forced to drop out of school or to people living along the Yangtze River

suffering from devastating floods.

 

And it is always good to know where our money goes and how it helps.

 

But media reports about fund abuse come up occasionally, making us

cautious and even reluctant when being asked to donate, which is really a

sad thing for our society.

 

After the disclosure of a series of serious corporate accounting

scandals at home and abroad, transparency is needed.

 

Transparency, the most effective antidote to corruption, is about

people's rights to know and strengthens public confidence.

 

It is true for non-profit organizations, which are taking up

collections for charities.

 

It is also true for other institutions, which want to develop their

credibility in the long run.