Talking Philanthropy 2021 Asia-Pacific banner

The roles governments, NGOs, philanthropists and the charity sector play in nurturing a philanthropy ecosystem across the Asia-Pacific region will drive the conversation at the fourth annual Talking Philanthropy forum hosted by the international fundraising advisory firm Global Philanthropic.

Global Philanthropic has convened some the world’s leading philanthropic organisations and academic institutions for “Asia-Pacific: Supporting a Philanthropy Ecosystem” which will be live-streamed from Singapore and Cambridge, UK on 14th May 2021.

Among the co-hosts and partners are the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, Centre for Strategic Philanthropy at Cambridge Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge together with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, United Nations Foundation, and the conservation charity, BirdLife International.  BILLIONAIRE Magazine is the media partner.

Philanthropy, business and NGO leaders and experts from Asia-Pacific and around the world will discuss wealth distribution across health, education and environment, and the dramatic growth of Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI).

Ben speaking at an event

Ben Morton Wright, Group CEO and Founder of Global Philanthropic, said:

“Philanthropy in Asia is at a critical tipping point. Governments of emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific are crucial to unlocking the philanthropic potential in the region, making them the target focus for world leaders in philanthropy.

“The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the remarkable response by philanthropists in Asia and across the world has placed philanthropy on the global stage.

Talking Philanthropy 2021 will be a game-changer to help us all address the – world’s greatest inequalities during these challenging times.”

Danny Quah, Dean and Li Ka Shing Professor in Economic, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, said:

“In Asia the time is now ripe for studying and putting in place the promising, productive mix of philanthropy and public policy. The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy is, therefore, co-hosting Talking Philanthropy at an event that we hope begins many discussions on the appropriate engagement between public policy and philanthropy as Asia moves forwards on its journey of growth and development.”

Danny Quah profile photo
Claire Woodcraft

Clare Woodcraft, Executive Director for the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy, Cambridge Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge, a research centre focused on philanthropy in emerging markets, said:

“Philanthropic capital from Asian markets is growing rapidly and can potentially play a hugely important role in delivering on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in these markets and beyond. And yet too often, we fail to share which philanthropic practices best create maximum impact and how ecosystem actors can work together for system change. Talking Philanthropy provides an ideal opportunity to address this gap and unite all those interested in tackling some of the world’s most entrenched socio-economic problems a chance to drive collaboration, learn from the mistakes of the past and improve the outcomes of philanthropic investments.”

Jennifer Alcorn, Deputy Director of Philanthropic Partnerships, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said:
“With so much still to be done across the world to solve issues of inequality in health, environment and education, philanthropy in Asia has a central role to play. We are excited to be supporting the fourth Talking Philanthropy, convened by Global Philanthropic and hosted in Singapore by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, discussing the development of Asian Philanthropy.

There is a long history of giving and philanthropy in Asia-Pacific which has become re-energised as the economy has grown. Today, philanthropy within the region is at a tipping point. We believe Talking Philanthropy will have a significant, constructive impact on how philanthropy in Asia-Pacific continues to grow and develop.”

Jennifer Alcorn
Elizabeth Cousens

Elizabeth Cousens, President and Chief Executive Officer, United Nations Foundation, said:

“The COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund organised by the United Nations Foundation was a demonstration of phenomenal spontaneous support across the world to meet the challenges of the pandemic. At Talking Philanthropy, we want to share what we have learned and discuss how we can build more international partnerships in the future.

“The UN Foundation was founded over 20 years ago by Ted Turner from with his remarkable $1 billion gift and commitment to fulfilling the United Nations mandate. Talking Philanthropy is an opportunity to hear from Asian philanthropists and explore the role of philanthropy in Asia in solving these challenges and achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.”

Patricia Zurita, CEO, BirdLife International, said:

“The devastating outbreak of the coronavirus, directly linked to our increasingly serious encroachment on nature’s last remaining wild spaces, shows us as well the profound economic and social costs of ignoring the planet’s twin crises of biodiversity and climate change. Saving earth is an urgent all-hands-on-deck project for governments, citizens and the private sector. Conservation NGO’s like BirdLife are often the tip of the spear in effective and immediate responses and the vision of philanthropists in funding that work is critical., At Talking Philanthropy we will be questioning and considering how our environmental challenges can be more rapidly solved through targeted and strategic giving.”

Patricia Zurita

At Talking Philanthropy 2021 Global Philanthropic will be announcing the winners of next year’s Philanthropy Awards. We will be accepting nominations in two categories, Lifetime Contribution to Philanthropy Award and the Outstanding Young Leader in Philanthropy Award. Nominations will open on the 10th January 2021.

To learn more and to register your interest, please visit www.globalphilanthropic.com/talking-philanthropy/