A summary report based on discussions at a convening in Brussels, Belgium, October 7-8, 2014

This report presents a summary of the discussions that took place at a convening organized in Brussels on Oct 7-8, 2014 by the Working Group on Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace (PSJP).  The event was arranged in collaboration with the Network of European Foundations and the Even’s Foundation (Antwerp) and was  entitled “European Values - Promoting Solidarity at a Time of Austerity. What Role can Philanthropy Play?” The convening brought together a small group of individuals, from foundations and networks of foundations in Europe, interested in looking analytically at the underlying problems, reflecting on different approaches to tackling the problems and seeking to make a greater impact on the current difficult environment.

This article first appeared on May 17, 2014, in Latest from Alliance - the blog of the Allaince Magazine

A large part of the conversations at the 25th EFC Annual General Assembly and Conference in Sarajevo have drawn focus to the uneasy realities of the ‘European project’.  Framed by the backdrop of Sarajevo – a city that knows much about conflict and peacebuilding, continuous rains and news of the worst floods in the Bosnia in 120 years, discussions at the conference have been hard-hitting, forcing a critical questioning of the role of philanthropy in Europe today.

Last week I attended a public lecture in the magnificent York Minster, the great cathedral in northern England.  I felt as if I was in the heart of the English establishment, with all the wrappings of church and state.  The lecture was given by the Director of Christian Aid in Scotland.  Her day job is concerned with global poverty and how to promote development in the global south. 

This presentation was made by Stephen Pittam at the conference ‘Social Justice Philanthropy: Implications for Practice and Policy’ organised by the University of Kent on 1 March 2013

I would like to thank the team at Kent University for inviting me to contribute to this event. As Carl has mentioned I retired from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust in August 2012 after 26 years there. I want to make clear from the outset though that I am speaking today as a Member of the Working Group on Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace. I will of course be drawing on my experience at JRCT, but I am not in any way speaking on behalf of JRCT.

What I want to do in my time is four things:

• To give a personal view of how the concept of Social Justice Philanthropy has emerged over the last 20 years or so,
• To discuss what is Social Justice Philanthropy,
• To describe the Working Group’s idea on Social Justice Philanthropy as a Family of Concepts.
• And finally to offer a few thoughts on the future.

Social Justice Philanthropy In USA and UK