The 2012 EFC Conference held in June 2012 in Belfast foregrounded the unique role played by European foundations in addressing challenging issues in deeply divided and conflicted societies. The venue, with its troubled past and courageous steps into a peaceful future, could not have been more befitting to the theme of the conference ‘Peace through Social Justice’. It provided an opportunity for the delegates to experience firsthand the role of philanthropy (particularly the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and the Atlantic Philanthropies) in supporting community based groups on both sides of the divide as well as cross-community initiatives during the Troubles in Northern Ireland to address disempowerment and marginalisation and build trust and facilitate the peacebuilding process. The Working Group on Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace hosted two sessions at the conference: Risky Business and Movements for Economic Justice.
The Risky Business Session provided a unique opportunity for introspection as around 120 foundation representatives crammed into the room to reflect on their ability to take risk. The session also brought to light the intimate relation of risk with creativity and social justice. You can find the content from Risky Business session here and read more about the session here and here.
The breakfast session on Movements for Economic Justice featured excellent presentations on a global campaign of the Tax Justice Network to oppose tax havens and on a national movement in Ireland led by Claiming our Future in mobilising a new kind of civil society, engaging different sectors in popularising, mobilising, and advocating for alternative approaches to economic and social development. You can access the presentations from the session here and read more about it here.
The Conference ended on a high note from Justice Albie Sachs as he described his ‘soft vengeance’ on the perpetrators of the crime committed against him and defined a role for philanthropy in restoring hope and dignity. See the full video of his speech here.
The 2012 EFC Conference was unique. It brought to the conversations a sombre and purposeful tone and provided an opportunity to European foundations to reflect on their role in reaching beyond the manifestations of injustice to address contentious issues that perpetuate injustice and conflict.
The value of philanthropic work in addressing social justice issues and peace building processes was further celebrated with the 2012 Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy being awarded to the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) in recognition of JRCT ‘as an organisation that is at the cutting edge of difficult issues. An organisation which aims to get to the root of a problem and remove it – not just make it easier to live with.’
It is hoped that these conversations that are fundamental to the change we hope to bring into the world will carry on in Copenhagen in 2013 when the EFC convenes again.
You can read more about the 2012 EFC Conference here.
– Chandrika Sahai