Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace

Event Ford Foundation Working Group on Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace
Date 23-27 February
Venue Cairo, Egypt
Organizer Ford Foundation 

Should we develop a new philanthropic movement to address social justice and peace? This was the question addressed by foundations from across the world at a four-day meeting organized by the Ford Foundation Working Group on Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace in Cairo from 23 to 27 February.

The answer was a resounding ‘yes’. The 100 people present said that they were hungry for change in the way that philanthropy approaches problems. They called for more attention to root causes, especially in the light of such problems as structural racism, gender inequity, climate change and the collapse of financial systems.

The meeting heard from inspiring activists such as Sheela Patel (from Shack/Slum Dwellers International) and Walter Echo-Hawk (from the Native American Arts and Culture Foundation). It also grappled with technical matters such as how to transform structures, engage constituencies, develop appropriate grantmaking programmes, and measure the impact of social justice philanthropy. The meeting was designed to be participative, and a final session enabled participants to develop their own agenda for building a movement for social justice and peace.

Almost everyone present said that they wanted to continue to work together to develop social justice and peace. There was less consensus about how to organize this, and the Working Group (a global group of philanthropic leaders) will consider options at a follow-up meeting in May. It is noteworthy that since the meeting, the Ford Foundation has announced ‘social justice philanthropy’ as one of its central priorities. These hard times may yield something vital for our futures.

Barry Knight is Secretary of CENTRIS. Email barryknight@cranehouse.eu

For more information
http://p-sj.org