“INNOVATIONS IN ASIAN PHILANTHROPY LANDSCAPE FOR A STRONGER DEVELOPMENT ECOSYSTEM”
1 August 2019On July 22-24, 2019 I was privileged to attend the 3rd SPRING RAIN GLOBAL ASIAN PHILANTHROPIC DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as part of the Philanthropic Development Office Ecosystem. The aim to hold this annual conference in different countries is to build a donors-beneficiary relationships.
This year the theme of the conference was, “Innovations in Asian Philanthropy Landscape for a Stronger Development Ecosystem” and there were 16 speakers from Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and United Kingdom with two Bishops, two Muslim leaders, priests, and Lay who are experts in the field of Philanthropy, Fund Raising, and Innovation – for the mission.
The experience was awe-inspiring seeing how different groups of different affiliate and religions were gathered together in search and discover the abundant resources of “God who He is more infinitely interested in helping His people than we are. Fund Raising is spiritual at its very core. It is a Sacred Task” according to St. Vincent de Paul. Fund Raising “first and foremost is a form of ministry. It is a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission.” (Nouwen, 15). And Fund Raising is Friend-raising, “Philanthropic decisions are often made based upon our friendships or the interests of others we know, rather than upon our own personal investigation of the organizations seeking our support.” (Greer, 69).
Lynlyn S. rmi