Gibraltar Philanthropy Forum
Promoting the power of philanthropic giving
“Charitable giving is something that resonates loudly in Gibraltar,” says Kusuma Trust’s Adviser Joey Garcia. “Historically, we have been a tremendously generous and giving community. We wanted to start a Gibraltar Philanthropy Forum to engage local businesses and individuals on the issues and debate surrounding philanthropy.”
The forum was developed to promote the need for philanthropy and share knowledge and best practice. Through events and conferences, it showed individuals and businesses how to make an effective and informed contribution to causes they cared about.
Kusuma Trust Gibraltar helped kick-start the forum and organise its inaugural event in November 2013 – a dinner at the Wessex Lounge at Gibraltar’s international airport for the Chief Minister of Gibraltar and 70 guests. The following day Sir John major, former British Prime Minister, spoke about the role of private philanthropy in the 21st Century.
Other topics covered by the conference included responsible long-term investment strategies, sustainable returns from ethical investments, and the Forbes report on alleviating global poverty.
- The Gibraltar Philanthropy Forum was founded in 2013 aiming to inspire local businesses and individuals to promote and share best practice on philanthropy.
- Speakers have included former British Prime Minister Sir John Major and Terry Waite, former envoy, famously held hostage in Lebanon for four years.
Capturing the imagination of potential philanthropists
In 2014, Philanthropy Forum conference attendees heard from guest speaker Terry Waite CBE, President of Y Care International who was taken hostage in Beirut in 1987 and spent almost five years in solitary confinement. Panel discussion topics included ‘increasing the impact of philanthropy’, with representatives from The Charity Aid Foundation, Action Aid, Educational Endowment Foundation, Philanthropy Impact and The Philanthropy Workshop taking part.
“We wanted to capture the imagination of those in a position to give their wealth, both corporate and individual, by talking about the powerful impact of philanthropic giving around the world,” says Joey Garcia. “Through events like the Gibraltar Philanthropy Forum, we can encourage growth in philanthropy with examples of the value of giving and the impact it can have, as well as helping those who can to ‘give better’.”
“What is most important to a philanthropic endeavour… It is the commitment of the Individual to attempt to make this world a more humane place to begin to ease the suffering that faces so many.”
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