Editorial - Global civil society: Philanthropy and civil society in East Asia

For the second time in the short space of 12 years, the world has witnessed an event that looks set to change national and institutional priorities. The first was highlighted by the fall of the Berlin Wall, the second by the fall of the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

This catastrophe placed in sharp relief three important insights. It exploded the myth that Americans in their homeland are not vulnerable to the destructive acts of violence perpetrated by terrorists in other parts of the world. It expressed dramatically, to the chagrin of many Americans, the fact that they are disliked in many places. And it enhanced the realization that many people want to live in a very different world, a world that is more just, more tolerant and more secure. If at first glance it seemed that the events of 11 September would make the United States and its philanthropic institutions turn inwards, a second glance suggests the opposite.

All this suggests that out of a disaster there may come opportunities. The task of philanthropic institutions will be to identify these opportunities, give them visibility, and make sure they do not inadvertently pass us by.

While we are barely through the first stage of disaster relief, the initial glimmers of a post 11 September strategic grantmaking agenda are coming into focus. It is clear that we know too little about the Arab world and about the broader Muslim world. Support for research, teaching programmes and public education in this area is essential. The flow of capital and people across national boundaries is something else we need to understand better.

The connection between terrorism and poverty has not yet been made explicitly. While terrorists seldom come from the ranks of the desperately poor, poverty is a contributing factor and the alleviation of poverty an essential part of the remedy. These are issues many of us work on already, but we have before us the opportunity to deepen our work, bring new foundations into the picture, and build new funding partnerships.

Barry Gaberman
Senior Vice President, Ford Foundation