News DeskDubai, UAE – The Pearl Initiative, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to fostering corporate accountability in the Gulf region, hosted the Philanthropy Impact Forum on March 06, 2024, at the esteemed Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in Dubai, UAE. This forum marked the culmination of the Governance in Philanthropy programme, backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which aims to support corporate and individual donors in achieving strategic and impactful giving.
A central theme echoed throughout the discussions was the necessity for heightened regional collaboration among diverse stakeholders including the private sector, foundations, nonprofits, and individual donors to achieve greater systemic impact in philanthropy.
Expert speakers and panelists, including Ayla Bajwa, Senior Vice President of Sustainability at DP World; Nicolas Heard, Acting Director General at Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund; Neha Hiranandani, Author and Philanthropist; and Lynn Zovighian, Founder of the Zovighian Partnership, among others, contributed valuable insights and innovative strategies for philanthropic collaboration.
The event commenced with a keynote address by Barbara Lethem Ibrahim, Founding Executive Director of the Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement, who emphasized the importance of strategic giving in driving social change.
Anissa Punjani, Governance in Philanthropy Programme Manager, highlighted the launch of the NextGen Philanthropy Research project, a collaboration between the Pearl Initiative and the Zovighian Partnership, aimed at exploring emerging trends and dynamics shaping the future of philanthropy in the Middle East.
Punjani stated, “The NextGen Philanthropy Research project, part of the Circle project under the Governance in Philanthropy programme, seeks to provide valuable insights and guidance to philanthropic donors and organizations, empowering them to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.”
Addressing the role of the private sector in philanthropy, Ayla Bajwa of DP World emphasized the integration of purpose into business objectives to enhance social impact and create sustainable value for both the company and the communities it serves.
Neha Hiranandani, speaking on the panel titled “The Role of Women in Philanthropy,” emphasized the significant contributions of women, advocating for inclusivity and diversity in philanthropic endeavors.
The Forum featured three engaging panel discussions covering topics such as the role of the community in philanthropy, the impact of private sector engagement, and the importance of empowering women in the field of philanthropy.
The Governance in Philanthropy programme, established to promote strategic and impactful giving in the Gulf region, aims to enhance governance standards within the philanthropic ecosystem. The Circle project, a pivotal component of this programme, seeks to foster a community of donors committed to transparency, accountability, and impactful giving in the region.
The Philanthropy Impact Forum served as a platform to inspire collaboration and innovation in philanthropy, with a focus on driving positive change in the Gulf region and beyond.
