Global Philanthropy Forum

With the global population increasing at a rapid rate, sustainable agriculture is a key component of the development agenda. There is a need to improve productivity and access to meet global needs for nutrition while protecting the natural environment. What are the factors shaping agriculture and nutrition today and in the future? What are the barriers to scaling innovations? And what are the linkages among nutrition and health, learning and development?

Musical performance by Peter Buffett, Composer, Author and Co-chair of the NoVo Foundation.  Accompanied by Michael Kott

Over 20 million men, women and children are enslaved across the globe, for sex or for labor. Awareness of this scourge continues to grow, and the fight to end human trafficking has risen to become one of the greatest human security challenges of our time. How are traditional international aid agencies, governments and philanthropists working together on this issue? What are the linkages to learning, health and human development? How can we leverage big data to identify the perpetrators of trafficking and close down their operations? And will the human rights community adopt the abolition of slavery as a central part of the human rights agenda?

While many developing countries are experiencing steady economic growth, the benefits have not been broadly shared. And widening economic and social gaps may hinder societal success and cohesion. Yet we are living in the digital age — a time in which data, rapidly and widely dispersed, enable us to make smarter, better and quicker decisions. Using data — big and small — we can increase the accuracy of our interventions to achieve greater impact. This panel will explore ways to harness data for development to foster inclusive growth.

At a time of fast-paced change, the demand for global governance outstrips the supply. No issue better illustrates this disparity than that of climate change. Many far-sighted commercial actors have altered their practices, reducing their carbon footprint and investing in technologies designed to prevent climate change or mitigate its effects. Concerned individuals have made energy-conscious choices both as citizens and consumers. National governments and regional organizations have advanced policies pricing carbon and regulating energy use. But—in the face of the existential threat that climate change can pose - aglobal agreement continues to elude us. Conferees will hear from an international leader committed to closing the gap between governance demand and supply.Special Address: Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary, UN Framework for Climate ChangeIntroduced by Christine Morse, CEO, Margaret A. Cargill Foundation

Individuals face mortal peril when the state they inhabit collapses into chaos or violent conflict. The loss of human life can be attributed not only to the violence that ensues but also to the widespread deprivation that results. In an important move forward, the international community embraced the norm of the “Responsibility to Protect,” this asserts that states are required to protect their citizens from mass atrocities. However, the international community is loath to intervene when states fail to meet this most basic obligation. They rely instead on UN agencies that provide relief as well as policing when possible. Working alongside these agencies are nongovernmental organizations, which offer traditional relief—shelter, food, water, health care—aswell as assistance in mediating an end to the conflict and creating mechanisms for post-conflict reconciliation. They in turn rely on the support of donors, ranging from individual governments, to large staffed foundations to individual

Locally-rooted foundations are strongly positioned to make an impact in their communities because they invest in the localities of which they are a part, and because their personal relationships and knowledge of the community improves the efficacyof their programs. What is the need, and what are the best methods, for building sustainable and local capacity for community development as government and other sectors reduce small-scale investments? Panelists will discuss the unique contributions of community philanthropy, and how governments should leverage their impact.Sombat Boonngamanong, Director and Founder, The Mirror FoundationMirza Jahani, CEO, Aga Khan Foundation USAAmita Puri, CEO, Charities Aid Foundation IndiaJenny Hodgson, Executive Director, Global Fund for Community Foundations (m)

To maximize the efficacy of their interventions, strategic philanthropists and aid agencies increasingly engage the communities they seek to serve in assessing needs, defining objectives, designing solutions, gathering relevant data and ascertaining results. So too should individual governments. As an essential (but often overlooked) first step, donors must ask the right combination of social actors what issues they want to tackle and how they define success. In this way, the desired social, cultural, political and economic changes can be identified, and interventions designed accordingly. Panelists will explore the practical elements of philanthropic approaches that start with local ownership, and also identify ways in which governments can and should do the same.Mathias Craig, Founder, blueEnergyKate Gross, CEO, Tony Blair Africa Governance InitiativeDominic Muren, Founder and Principal, The HumblefactoryKatherina Rosqueta, Executive Director, Center for High Impact Philanthropy,University of Pennsylvania

What have we learned and how has that knowledge informed our strategy? Measurement and evaluation (M&E) are essential learning tools when it comes to setting and honing the strategy pursued by donors, lenders and service providers—be they intergovernmental organizations, international agencies or private foundations. We will hear from three leaders– the executive director of UNICEF, the managing director of the World Bank, and the president of the Ford Foundation—who will describe the ways in which evidence has led to changes in their organization’s strategy. While M&E is an essential learning tool for grantor and grantee—in a new social contract there is a wider community to serve. M&E can also to contribute to field-wide learning. And so speakers will use the GPF as a means for sharing the knowledge gained. And they will reflect on the role for evidence in enhancing the contributions of each sector to the social contract.Special Address: Anthony Lake, Executive Dire

Despite significant advances in health research and unprecedented levels of funding, much of the world still lacks the ability to effectively and efficiently bring health care to those who need it most. Why is this the case? What are the main bottlenecks? Speakers will discuss the most promising interventions for health care delivery globally, and will highlight much-needed incentives across sectors to take health care interventions the last mile. Opportunities to leverage giving and for collaboration across sectors will be emphasized.Barbara P. Bush, CEO and Co-founder, Global Health CorpsWilliam Campbell, Senior Advisor, JPMorgan Chase & Co.Neeraj Mistry, Managing Director, Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Sabin Vaccine InstituteJeff Richardson, Vice President, Global Health Access, Abbott Fund (m)

Bassem Youssef, a physician turned satirist has emerged as the “Jon Stewart of Egypt.” Shocked by the state media’s inaccurate coverage of events in Tahrir Square, Dr. Youssef made his own video-taped report from the site of the demonstrations that toppled Egypt’s government. It went viral via YouTube and he has since been offered his own television show, where he applies his sardonic wit to the coverage and analysis of events that are changing the world. He will bring his satire and his point of view to the GPF. Bassem Youssef, Host, The Bassem Youssef Show

The next generation of Egypt’s leaders will have the opportunity to build a new social contract, one which trusts and empowers the citizen, offers consistent services, advances equity and protects human rights. Panelists will discuss the arc of liberation in North Africa and the challenges ahead in a revolution that is not quite over. They will focus on the role of nongovernmental actors, including faith-based and other citizen organizations. And they will describe the societal stresses and strains as anew social contract is forged.Hossam Bahgat, Founder and Director, Egyptian Initiative for Personal RightsSaad Eddin Ibrahim, Founder, Ibn Kaldun Center for Development Studies and Arab Organization for Human RightsBarbara Lethem Ibrahim, Founding Director, John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic EngagementIn conversation with … Jane Wales

June Sugiyama, Director, Vodafone Americas FoundationPatricia Mechael, Executive Director, mHealth Alliance

While we may all have equal potential, we do not have equal opportunity. Improving access to education will help entire generations of young people to learn, live and contribute in powerful and productive ways. Panelists will highlight revolutions in the financing and delivery of education—and the opportunities they allow for gathering and evaluating data. Ways for government to leverage philanthropic and private giving in education will be highlighted.Ron Bruder, Founder, Education for EmploymentWendy Ramage Hawkins, Executive Director, Intel FoundationAleph Molinari, President, Fundación ProaccesoRuth Turner, CEO, Tony Blair Faith FoundationDeepali Khanna, Director, Youth Learning, The MasterCard Foundation (m)

Our globalized world is—and will continue to become—increasingly urban. By 2050, it is expected that nearly 70 percent of the world’s population will reside in cities, an increase of nearly 20 percent as compared with 2009. This important shift will bringwith it increased pressure on infrastructure, government services, natural resources, climate and many other aspects critical to quality of life. One approach to addressing the urban challenge is to focus on cities that are fair, democratic and  environmentally sustainable. Panelists will explore ways that philanthropy can support the development of more sustainable cities and consider ways that this agenda can catalyze broader collaboration in this field.Ana Mercedes Botero Arboleda, Executive Director, Fundación CoronaDavid Gómez Álvarez, Executive Director, Jalisco Cómo VamosRicardo Young, EntrepreneurEmily Fintel Kaiser, Director, Global Relations, Fundación AVINA (m)

Attracted by the prospect of achieving the combination of market-rate returns and social benefit, traditional investors have begun to respond to the emerging asset class of impact investments. While there is good reason for their growing interest in impact investing, the number of investment-ready social enterprises will be constrained so long as supporters and would-be investors stay on the sidelines until the enterprise is ready to scale. Philanthropic grants and patient capital are needed for the planning and proof of concept phases of enterprise development. How can philanthropists most effectively use their grant dollars to propel inclusive business models forward?Special address: Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder, The Acumen Fund

The world of development finance offers real opportunities to leverage public, private and philanthropic capital in new as well as traditional ways. Over the past few years, private capital has been mobilized to address public goals in developing economies and emerging markets. Ms. Littlefield will discuss the ways in which the private sector is uniquely positioned to target and maximize growth in emerging markets, and consider how these efforts can be best complemented by publicand social sector contributions within a coherent strategy.As the cohort of actors pursuing social impact expands and diversifies, the role for private finance evolves along with it. Panelists will highlight new mechanisms for financing the social good as well as creative twists on the old, including “variable  rate impact bonds” and pricing schemes that factor in the true cost of social impact. Panelists will discuss the importance of engaging stakeholders across sectors to shape giving and investing strategies, and

To operate effectively in a complex and rapidly changing world, philanthropic, development and private sector organizations are recognizing their own comparative advantages, and partnering to build on the strengths of others. Jumping off from insights gained at the recent Bellagio Initiative on the Future of Philanthropy and Development as well as well as their deep experience, panelists with deep expertise will share their views on how innovative partnerships based in systems thinking have the potential to identify breakthrough solutions and take them to scale. Panelists come from the UN system, The World Bank, civil society and the foundation world, and will delve into specific achievements gained through cross-sectoral collaboration and more responsive development and philanthropic efforts.Jennifer Barsky, Partnerships Coordinator, International Finance CorporationNyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, General Secretary, World YWCARomesh Muttukumaru, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Partnerships Bureau, UNDP Heather Gra

Opportunities for impact investment promise financial returns coupled with positive social and environmental impact. Many foundations are exploring ways to leverage all of their resources by aligning their grantmaking and investment goals. Impact investing not only efficiently complements public and private sector financing, but is also contributing to radical new approaches to organizing and providing social services. Panelists will discuss the ways in which impact investing is both shaping and being shaped by the changing social contract. They will also cover investment funds, rating systems and accreditations, as well as strategiesfor successful investment and the impact investing infrastructure necessary for these to succeed.Amy Bell, Vice President, J.P. MorganSimon Merchant, CEO, Jacana Venture PartnershipTracy Palandjian, CEO, Social Finance, Inc.Luther Ragin, Jr., CEO, Global Impact Investing NetworkAntony Bugg-Levine, CEO, Nonprofit Finance Fund (m)

Both private and philanthropic capital has a role to play in spurring economic activity in developing economies, and producing not only economic, but social and environmental benefit. Panelists will focus on the ways that private capital—including risk-loving capital—can be deployed. And they will explore the ways and which investment capital and philanthropic grants can be combined. Finally, speakers will consider whether and how transparency and accountability can be assured.Annie Chen, Chair, RS GroupJed Emerson, Executive Vice President, ImpactAssetsLiesel Pritzker Simmons, Vice President and Director, Program Development,IDP Foundation, Inc.Ron Cordes, Co-founder, Cordes Foundation (m)