En route to WINGS-Latin America

The first ever regional meeting on supporting the growth and development of philanthropy in Latin America took place in São Paulo, Brazil on 21 and 22 November 2002. The purpose of the meeting was to explore the idea of networking among the different organizations that are supporting the development of philanthropy in the region.

Representatives from ten countries of Latin America[1] took part in the meeting, plus Ford Foundation President Susan Berresford. It was hosted by the two Brazilian members of WINGS, GIFE (a Brazilian association of grantmakers) and IDIS (Institute for Development of Social Investment).

The meeting represented an important step towards creating a regional network of associations of grantmakers and organizations supporting the development of philanthropy. Philanthropy is developing rapidly in Latin America, thus creating an opportunity for exchange of ideas, plans, materials and expertise. The delegates hope to hold another informal meeting in late 2003. In the meantime, ongoing discussions in working groups will help clarify the role and activities of a future network.

1 Grupo de Fundaciones (Argentina), GIFE (Group of Institutes, Foundations and Private Enterprises) and IDIS (Brazil), Fundación Ideas para la Paz and Asociación de Fundaciones Petroleras (Colombia), Fundación ProHumana (Chile), Fundación Azúcar and Fundación Pantaleón (Guatemala), Centro Empresarial de Inversión Social (Panamá), LIDES-AVINA (Perú), Alianza ONG (República Dominicana), Fundación ACAC (Uruguay), and Fundación de la Vivienda Popular (Venezuela).

Marcos Kisil is President of IDIS (Institute for Development of Social Investment), São Paulo, Brazil. He can be contacted at mkisil@idis.org.br

For further information please contact Marcos Kisil at mkisil@idis.org.br or Rebecca Raposo at GIFE at Rebecca@gife.org