Talking Philanthropy is a unique event fostering collaboration and innovation in philanthropy. Speakers and attendees identify challenges and discuss solutions through talks, panels, workshops, and Q&A sessions.

Talking Philanthropy provides an opportunity for participants to take time to think beyond the day-to-day of their work, reflect on the sector and how it impacts the world. In fewer than five years it has become a leading global event in part due to Global Philanthropic’s ability to convene leading philanthropists, academics, non-profit leaders, and policymakers in an environment that fosters open dialogue and builds lasting networks.

Recently: 2021

The latest Talking Philanthropy: Asia Pacific: Supporting a Philanthropic Ecosystem

Co-hosted in Singapore and Cambridge, UK

The most recent event was held on 14th May 2021 and jointly hosted by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at The University of Singapore and The University of Cambridge Judge Business School. It was a multi-regional, hybrid, virtual event, bringing together live gatherings in different regions across the world, as well as online participants.

Specifically focussing on health, environment and education, the 2021 event looked at wealth distribution and the dramatic growth of ultra-high net worth individuals (HNWI) in the Asia/Pacific region, the roles of development organisations, NGOs, governments, philanthropists, and the charity sector in nurturing the philanthropic ecosystem.

Previously: 2018

Women in Philanthropy and Wealth Transition

Royal Automobile Club, London

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Talking Philanthropy 2018 was hosted in partnership with Kleinwort Hambros.
Attendees gathered at the Royal Automobile Club in London, for a day of discussion on Women in Philanthropy and Wealth Transition.
Special guest speakers were Dame Stephanie Shirley CH, IT entrepreneur turned philanthropist and The Honourable Ronnie Chan GBM, real estate businessman and philanthropist.

Geoff Holt MBE, the winner of the 2017 Philanthropy Award, made his return to present the 2018 Award to joint winners Dame Stephanie Shirley CH and Yann Borgstedt.

Previously: 2017

Mission & Impact

Sofitel hotel, London

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Talking Philanthropy 2017 was hosted in partnership with Kleinwort Hambros, the Société Générale private banking and wealth management division.
Around 200 attendees gathered at the Sofitel hotel in London, to discuss Mission & Impact.
The special guest speaker for Talking Philanthropy 2017 was British entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Lloyd Dorfman.

A letter from Ted Turner, media entrepreneur, philanthropist and Founder of the United Nations Foundation, was read out to the audience. The day was moderated, by BBC Radio 4 Front Row presenter and journalist, Kirsty Lang.

Previously: 2016

Leadership in Philanthropy

The first Talking Philanthropy, Suffolk, UK

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The first Talking Philanthropy in 2016 was an intimate, invite-only gathering of around 60 guests.

Guests at the so-called “Home-Posium” discussed issues surrounding leadership in philanthropy.
Special guest speakers included Sir Howard Davies, the current chairman of NatWest Group and the former director of the London School of Economics, and Geoff Holt, British quadriplegic yachtsman and founder of the Wet Wheels foundation.

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