PSJP’s recently published paper on Individual giving in India, Russia, the Arab region and Brazil is a timely reflection for us in Nepal. Individual giving has always been a part of Nepali communities mainly through our religious and cultural traditions. In the absence of a strong state presence particularly historically because of geographic isolation and…
New promise Thirty years ago, European philanthropy stood on the brink of new promise. The formation of the European Foundation Centre (EFC) on 9 November 1989 – the same day that the Berlin Wall fell – ushered in a new era for philanthropy as part of a vision for a new Europe. There was hope…
Smarinita Shetty points out the much-hyped but underwhelming contribution to philanthropy by the ultra-wealthy and CSR. Instead, Smarinita argues for greater attention to ‘smaller-ticket individual giving or retail giving’ to enable it to grow and develop appropriately so as to be able to support Indian civil society. India has no shortage of billionaires. We added…
June 2018 marked the launch of the Philanthropy in Brazil Report, a working paper produced by Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace (PSJP), written by Caroline Hartnell and Andrew Milner. The final edition (Portuguese version) and distribution involved a partnership with the Brazilian Network on Philanthropy for Social Justice and WINGS. This work was largely…
In 2013 India enacted a new Companies Act to replace older legislation dating back from 1956, more than three decades before liberalisation in 1991. Although much amended already, it is still a far-sighted Act which attempts to break new ground on accountability – much needed given the trust deficit due to the large corporate-led scams…
‘Leadership for what? Leadership for whom?’ These questions seem to be uppermost in conversations with colleagues. We all seem to be feeling that we have not perhaps done enough, or are not doing enough, in our respective leadership roles to feel like we are making a difference. We are all constantly bombarded with books, articles,…
Candid (formerly the Foundation Center) and Centris (Rethinking Poverty) are conducting a study on the role of philanthropy in producing safe, healthy and just societies. At a time when many people are questioning the value of philanthropy, the study aims to clarify its role in creating peaceful and inclusive societies that provide access to justice for all…
The report Philanthropy in Brazil notes that Brazilian philanthropy is generally punching below its weight especially on matters of social justice and human rights. With President Jair Bolsonaro threatening not only some of the gains Brazil has made in securing the rights of marginalised groups but also the capacities of civil space in Brazil, what does…
By Márcia Kalvon Woods and João Paulo Vergueiro Pretty much everyone has heard about the new Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, who somehow resembles the American one to the point of having been called the ‘Trump from the Tropics’ by the Washington Post (US) and the Guardian (UK). Okay, we do have a right-wing president in…
‘New configurations of civic-led movements are playing an instrumental role in challenging political, social and economic abuses of power, at great personal risk. At the same time the organized and professionalised civil society spaces which are typically supported by philanthropy are losing momentum, relevance and connectivity to those whose interests they are meant to be…