Philanthropy and Governmental Funding: Opportunities and Challenges in the 21th Century
2CEO, Israeli Public Forum for Youth Villages and Boarding Schools
3President, Israeli Public Forum for Boarding Schools
4Representative, Knesset
5Director of the Administration, Rural and Residential Education
6President, WIZO
7Botnar Foundation, Switzerland (Former CEO of Unicef), Board Member
8Director, Israeli National Social Security Funds
Moderators:
• Adv. Roni Ihring Malkai, CEO Israeli Public Forum for Youth Villages and Boarding schools
• Dr. Victor Weiss, Board member for the Swiss Friends of Kiriat Yearim and Board member of the Public Forum (former deputy chief scientist of the ministry of Science and technology)
Panelists (in alphabethic order):
• Mr. Avi Naor, Philantrop, President of Israeli public forum for Boarding schools
• Knesset representative, TBA after elections
• Prof. Rivka Lazovski, President of WIZO (World organization of Zionist Women)
• Ilana Nulman
• Mr. Jeff Kay, Director of Fisher foundation in Israel
• Mrs. Elsbeth Mueller, Board member of the Botnar Foundation, Switzerland (former CEO of UNICEF)
• Mr. Izhak Sabato, Director of funds, Israeli National social security
Abstract
The success of educational projects for socially marginalized children directly depends on the human resources and infrastructure invested and thus on governmental funding. Usually, governmental funding only covers the most basic needs of the children, yet, exactly this group of socially endangered children, need additional resources to close the gaps created by the neglect they had suffered. These gaps have often be bridged by philanthropic bodies. This panel addresses the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century: On the one hand, communication technologies, social media and networks increasingly enable a more direct and comprehensive approach to reaching out to government and philanthropy; on the other hand, increasing income inequality through globalization of the economy, as well as choices in political priorities, such as increasing defense spending, versus diminishing social budgets, pose continuous challenges to social projects. One of the tasks of the public forum, as will be addressed, is how the collaboration between government and philanthropy may improve the awareness and impact, and as a consequence the public funding. Other issues that will be addressed by the panelists are what risks are involved in relying on local and foreign philanthropy and the partnerships with the government. What steps may be taken to reduce these risks by increasing the mutual interests and gains, as well as attracting new partners. Motivation and tips for new players in the field will be discussed.
