A New Philanthropic Ecosystem to Underpin Sustainable Social Development
KEY CONCLUSIONS
Cultural philanthropy will raise the level of life in the regions
“In the past the activity of a Russian region was measured exclusively in macroeconomic terms, yet last year the President altered the evaluation scale by introducing human self-actualization parameter and people’s evaluation of the conditions for their own self-actualization in a given region,” Ilya Chukalin, CEO, Presidential Grants Foundation.
“In the 21st century the industry of culture successfully replaces traditional industries. Many stagnating regions start rising to the top on the account of those, not by constructing a new factory,” Irina Prokhorova, Co-Founder, Mikhail Prokhorov Foundation (The Charitable Foundation for Cultural Initiatives).
Philanthropy is essential for social development
“The first objective of philanthropy is education, healthcare and the environmental protection,” Christoph Frei, Secretary General, Chief Executive Officer, World Energy Council.
“Philanthropy can come in shape of funds from businessmen and humility from those who have nothing else to give,” Sanjeev Kanoria, Trustee, Kanoria Foundation.
“Sense of collectivism is one of the major forces that propel further development of our community,” Frederik Paulsen, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ferring Holding SA.
“Over three years, we’ve tested a lot of hypotheses, and it turned out that only the production of self-help communities is effective,” Igor Rybakov, Co-Founder, Member of the Board of Directors, Rybakov Foundation.
“It all depends on people, it all depends on us. Do not wait to appoint a dedicated charity specialist in the company and leave everyone else to make money,” Tomasz Bochenek, President, Microsoft Rus LLC.
ISSUES
Not all philanthropy activities are equally appealing for volunteers
“Not all, but just a few philanthropy efforts lead to triumphs: palliative care, for example, or simply unappealing places, or charities where volunteers burn out quickly. <…> These special places take all kindness they can from the good that people do,” Ilya Chukalin, Chief Executive Officer, Presidential Grants Foundation.
The existing philanthropy mechanisms are dated
“Exponential technologies that blast, demolish and realign everything, produce such trends when the compensation mechanisms of philanthropy created in all previous years fall to the ground,” Igor Rybakov.
“Philanthropy as an idea probably has run out of steam. Wealth accumulation is still substantially more important than wealth sharing, and the ideas of philanthropy stand no chance with these people,” Sadhguru, Founder, Isha Foundation.
Charitable organizations are under-represented in the regions
“In Russia most of the charitable organizations make the same mistake of launching and operating in major cities. We need to notice small and medium-sized towns that are not so popular with tourists and foreign philanthropic businessmen and that eagerly and enthusiastically accept this assistance,” Frederik Paulsen.
Underprivileged people are a source of social issues
“The main reason for many social problems is that mothers do not feel safe. <…> 70% of those who rent from us are emigrants. Today, emigration is a serious issue,” Dan Sten Olsson, Chief Executive Officer, Stena AB
SOLUTIONS
The state should support private initiative
“The state should seek to not take over people’s initiative, but enable for the sake of more undertakings, initiatives that deliver results. <…> The state should invest in infrastructure, invest in projects that allow coordination of volunteers’ efforts,” Ilya Chukalin.
“We assist or anticipate many state projects. We lay the groundwork. We can offer best practices that facilitate the opportunities for further state efforts,” Irina Prokhorova.
Philanthropy should be for everyone
“We must reinvent philanthropy. <…> Everyone is a philanthropist. I want to erase the boundaries between those who help and those being helped,” Igor Rybakov.
“Charity can feed a person with fish or teach them how to fish. We teach people not only to support themselves, but also to support others,” Sanjeev Kanoria.
“We need to teach our children that they represent humanity. Children should identify themselves not with a piece of land they live on, but with the whole planet,” Sadhguru.
Developing partnerships between business and philanthropists
“The best way to distribute your brand or promote your technology is to partner with philanthropic organizations,” Timothy Murphy, General Counsel, Chief Franchise Officer, Mastercard Inc.
“First, we need to do the right thing at the relevant time. The second is the investment and understanding that by investing we can really make a difference. And third, we can not do it alone,” Lana Popovic, General Manager for Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Baltics and Moldova, The Coca Cola Company.
