After a world war with devastating consequences and loss of human life seventy-five years ago, governments declared that human rights belong to everyone. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) affirmed hope and humanity, and underscored the universality of rights by mentioning ‘everyone’ 30 times. It grounded a more expansive human rights system that now includes migrants, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities – at least on paper. But the reality remains far from this …

UNHCR, the UN’s refugee agency, has teamed up with Asia Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) to explore innovative financial models to help strengthen support for forcibly displaced people in Asia and the Pacific.   The two organisations within the world of philanthropy and the humanitarian sector signed a memorandum of understanding at the AVPN Global Conference in April.  Christian Schaake, chief of UNHCR private sector partnerships in Asia said he wanted to ‘scale up’ work in the …

Throughout UK history, affirmative action has been fundamental in advancing gender equality, with our government, communities, and numerous independent organisations each contributing to this cause—a fact deserving of recognition and celebration. Yet, today, government commitment, particularly in funding, appears to be wavering. Such unforgivable negligence will have devastating consequences for women who, despite the significant steps taken toward equality, continue to face significant challenges. In recent decades, steps toward greater gender equality have been felt …

Young philanthropists in the Middle East are showing appetite for a more hands-on approach, a greater emphasis on transparency and accountability and a move away from traditional family foundations, to focus more on individualised giving.  These were among the key findings from a new report published by the Pearl Initiative and the Zovighian Partnership, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, at a gathering of next generation philanthropists in Dubai on 25 April.  …