Enhancing Social Impact through Collaboration: Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum (PBC) 2024
The Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum (PBC) 2024, themed “Delivering Impactful Philanthropy in the Real World,” was held in Hong Kong from the 9-10th September. It was convened by Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, one of the top 10 charity donors in the world, in partnership with the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP).
The high-profile event was honored by nearly 100 distinguished speakers and welcomed over 2,000 delegates from 40 countries. A-PAD was also part of the global representation at this momentous event, showcasing its commitment to advancing philanthropic efforts and collaborating with influential organizations to drive meaningful impact in the Asia-Pacific region.
Philanthropy Through the Lens of Leading Experts
The 2-day event included panel discussions, keynotes, and interactive sessions on advancing philanthropy in Asia. Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia, delivered the first keynote, focusing on the interplay between philanthropy and geopolitics and bridging practices between the East and West. Michael Spence, 2001 Nobel Laureate in Economics, gave another compelling keynote on the economic impact of charitable giving, highlighting its benefits for both donors and recipients in fostering philanthropy.
The forum also saw the launch of the Commission on Asian Philanthropy, a 3-year initiative co-convened by IoP and Asia Philanthropy Congress (APHIC) and backed by leading organizations like China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, King Khalid Foundation, The Nippon Foundation, and Tata Consultancy Services. It aims to establish an “in Asia, for Asia” ecosystem to propel and unlock the potential of Asian philanthropy. As a platform that strives to direct humanitarian aid towards addressing one of the most pressing issues in the region, A-PAD’s participation in this forum was highly significant.
Driving Philanthropy in the Asian Landscape
The series of panel discussions featured esteemed speakers from global high-impact philanthropic organizations like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, AVPN, GlobalGiving, Temasek Foundation, and LiteHaus International, bringing a wealth of experience and insights into the discussions. Drawing from the best practice of leading philanthropies, the discussions focused on ‘translating philanthropic action into tangible, sustainable impact.’ They focused on key topics such as the evolution of charitable giving in the East, using media to boost social outcomes, sustainable social mobility, and philanthropy’s role in health innovations. The closing plenary session focused on the social return on investment in arts and sports with notable figures like Dustin Lance Black, Tom Daley, and Ruby Yang.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Club and Director of IoP, delivered the forum’s closing address, reinforcing key insights from the speakers and emphasizing the significance of the Commission on Asian Philanthropy. The event provided a vital platform for A-PAD to align with other leading foundations and institutions and share valuable perspectives and strategies, reinforcing its role of forging partnerships for mutual betterment and advancing disaster resilience in the region.
