 |
January-March 2009
Global Giving Round-Up
Overviews of best-practices around the world and links to learn more about them
Philanthropy on the rise in the “BRIC” countries
Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) is publishing findings of a study of people in urban areas in Brazil, Russia, India and China showing widespread philanthropy. The study found extensive charitable giving within the past year, ranging from over 40% of respondents in Russia and India, over 60% in Brazil and just over 80% in China, though the latter figure may be particularly high due to response to the Sichuan earthquake in May. The most popular cause given to in all four countries was care for children and young people. In talking about the research, Bea Devlin, head of International Development at CAF, says, “If, as this research suggests, many of their people are choosing to give to social causes, either directly or through charity, then we have reason to believe that in future they will not only shape the world’s economy, but its social fabric too.” The study was conducted by the global research agency Synovate by phone; a full report will be available in February. For more information, contact research@cafonline.org. (Philanthropy UK, January 8, 2009)
Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy explores government-civil society partnership
In December, the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (www.pcp.org.pk -- PCP ) organized a national consultation on partnership between government and civil society organizations. The event brought together civil society leaders, donors and high-level government officials including Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on the Social Sector. As input to the meeting, the PCP did some exploratory research on the nature and dimensions of government-civil society partnerships in Pakistan. This was shared with participants and the national consultation and their comments are being incorporated into a final report. (The News (Pakistan), December 24, 2008)
Hashoo Foundation project wins World Challenge 08
Plan Bee, a project of the Hashoo Foundation (www.hashoofoundation.org) in Pakistan, was the 2008 winner of the BBC World Challenge, a global competition that recognized “projects showing enterprise and innovation at grassroots level.” Plan Bee helps women in remote areas of Northern Pakistan generate profits by selling high-quality honey at market rates to Marriott and Pearl Continental Hotels. On average, participants’ income has increased over 30%, providing important resources to improve the health and well-being of their families. Video from the BBC program on the initiative is online at www.theworldchallenge.co.uk. The Hashoo Foundation was established by the Hashwani Family in 2007 through the merger of several earlier philanthropic endeavors. It is based in Pakistan with offices in the United Kingdom and United States. The family traces its philanthropic legacy back over 100 years, to Mukhi Hashoo (1820-1915). Sarah Hashwani is the organization’s Chair. The Hashwanis are members of the Global Philanthropists Circle.
Scrutiny of foreign donations to philanthropies in Turkey
According to figures from Turkey’s General Directorate for Foundations, 39 foundations received a total of 61 million lira (about $40 million) from foreign governmental and non-governmental organizations. The figures and details of which foundations received these monies have raised some controversy related to issues of foreign influence in Turkey’s affairs and also about accuracy of the reporting. For example, Ahmet Sisman, one of the founders and head of the Ensar Foundation, said that his organization does not accept support from “any U.S.-based group on ideological principles especially in the recent climate in the Middle East and Turkey.” Some donors are less controversial -- for example almost all the Turkish foundations listed have received support from the government of Sweden and/or Swedish foundations. (Hürriyet Daily News, January 5, 2009)
GPC member helps organize Convoy for Peace to Gaza
Global Philanthropists Circle member Daniel Kropf played a pivotal role in organizing a convoy of humanitarian aid to communities in Gaza and Southern Israel. The Geneva-based nonprofit organization, Fondation Hommes de Parole, worked with a group of rabbis, imams, and Christian clergy to deliver the much needed supplies. The first convoy set out on January 19 with 10 semi-trailer trucks, containing 220 tons of staple foods (flour, sugar, rice) and goods specifically for children. The entire load was stored in the Palestinian Red Crescent warehouse. Assistance for the civilian population was accompanied by an appeal from the spiritual leaders for an immediate end to bombardments in Gaza and the south of Israel. Contributions are still being sought for this unique effort; more information is available at the Fondation Hommes de Parole website www.hommesdeparole.org.
UniversalGiving in BusinessWeek
Global Philanthropists Circle member Pamela Hawley was interviewed by BusinessWeek about UniversalGiving (www.universalgiving.org), a web-based nonprofit organization she established to help people give and volunteer with projects across the world. Hawley has created a branch of her organization -- UniversalGiving Corporate -- that offers customized service for companies, helping them launch and manage CSR initiatives, including both giving and employee volunteering, around the world. Proceeds help fund the organization’s nonprofit work. Hawley says, “It’s extremely important to my vision that we generate revenue to support our efforts....As a nonprofit, I had a choice. I could charge people who were trying to make a donation. But I didn’t want to penalize people for giving; I wanted to lower the barriers to giving. We want 100% of [each] donation going to the people who deserve it.” (BusinessWeek, December 24, 2008)
Arab World Social Innovators Program selects first class
Synergos has launched a new network to recognize and support social entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa. The Arab World Social Innovators Program has selected 22 social innovators from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Palestine, who are all working to address poverty and social inequality in the region. Social innovators are pioneers of change within their communities who offer new ideas, creative approaches and promising solutions to pressing social and economic problems through education, microenterprise, social justice and arts and culture. “In this program, Synergos aims to support those who are already making social change take the next step and make their organizations more effective and sustainable,” said Robert H. Dunn, President and CEO of Synergos. “We also believe these leaders will partner with others to strengthen civil society throughout the region and collaborate across sectors to promote economic and social progress.” The Program is funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and private donors, and is overseen by a regional advisory committee comprised of prominent women and men, many of whom are leading examples of social entrepreneurs in the Arab World. Information about the innovators is available online at www.synergos.org/socialinnovators/.
The Road Ahead movie describes first “green” Olympics
Philipp Engelhorn, a member of the Global Philanthropists Circle, premiered his first Cinereach film, The Road Ahead: The First Green Long March. The film tells the story of the 2008 “Green” Olympics in Beijing, when 2,000 college students from across China mobilized to bring awareness to the country’s environmental challenges. The film held a premiere on March 3 at the Asia Society in New York City. Engelhorn is Executive Director and Founder of Cinereach (www.cinereach.org), a production company that aims to champion socially relevant films.
In memoriam: Lúcia Moreira Salles, philanthropist, nonprofit leader and fashion icon
Lúcia Moreira Salles of Brazil passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2009 in São Paulo after a courageous struggle with cancer. Lúcia was a long-time supporter of Synergos and a member of Synergos’ Board of Directors from 2003 until her death. She was president of Riovoluntário (www.riovoluntario.org.br), a non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Rio de Janeiro that recruits and trains volunteers and then places them with other NGOs. She was also a founding member of the Synergos’ Global Philanthropists Circle. Lúcia Moreira Salles was also an enormously successful fashion model, working with designers such as Valentino Garavani and Coco Chanel. Synergos President Robert H. Dunn said, “Lúcia will be missed for her wisdom, her helpful guidance, and for the passion she held for helping children, particularly in Brazil.” (wwd.com, January 27, 2009; Synergos press release February 1, 2009)
Mario Morino highlights role of nonprofit sector in difficult times
In a column in The Chronicle of Philanthropy in January entitled “The Greatest Generation,” Mario Morino calls for action on the part of the philanthropic and nonprofit sector in the face of the tremendous economic and political challenges facing the United States and the world. Morino, who is Co-Founder and Chairman of Venture Philanthropy Partners and a member of the Global Philanthropists Circle, urges Americans to rally together, set aside differences, and work to improve social, political and economic conditions. He points to role the nonprofit sector can have in mobilizing citizens for action and also to the effect that foundations and nonprofit organizations can have in improving political discourse, such as by strengthening independent, nonpartisan reporting. The column was carried by several other media outlets and blogs such as USA Service and onPhilanthropy.com and available online in the Chairman’s Corner of Venture Philanthropy Partner’s website www.venturephilanthropypartners.org.
Human rights -- “the most effective aid multiplier”
In an opinion piece for Forbes, Hassan Elmasry, a member of Human Rights Watch’s Board of Directors and a Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management in London, argues that human rights are essential for philanthropy and development assistance to be effective, and that supporting human rights can be a very high-impact form of philanthropy. Without human rights, well-meaning programs to help people meet needs in areas such as health, nutrition or economic development will fall short. Elmasry states that “It does little good to teach a woman to fish if she cannot get a fishing permit from a corrupt or sexist license officer, or if paramilitary goons confiscate her daily catch, or if her lake is in the center of a war zone.” He calls human rights -- which he defines as including physical safety, property rights and rule of law, and government transparency and accountability -- as “the most efficient and effective aid multiplier.” (Forbes.com, January 5, 2009)
© 2008 The Synergos Institute/World Economic Forum
|
|
