By Claude J. Kandem – Grants and Partnership Manager

Hello, dear readers! Recently, I had the privilege of attending the WINGS Forum 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya, and I want to share with you some of the key takeaways from this enlightening event.

Transforming Philanthropy to Transform the World

WINGS Forum 2023 revolved around the theme, ‘Transform Philanthropy to Transform the World.’ The central idea was clear – we need to adapt and evolve as philanthropic organizations to effectively address the global challenges we face today. Here are some of the key lessons I gathered from this thought-provoking event:

1.  Enable Change: Shifting Mindsets

One of the vital tracks at the forum emphasized shifting from a results-driven mindset to enabling change. Philanthropy is not just about achieving outcomes; it’s about sparking deeper, broader, and faster change. This shift challenges power dynamics through decolonization, trust-based philanthropy, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and embracing risk.

2. Walk the Talk: Aligning Values with Actions

‘Walk the Talk’ stressed the importance of aligning personal and organizational values with actions. It’s not just about what we do but how we do it. Transforming philanthropy means ensuring that values and missions align across wealth creation, management, investments, leadership, and equity.

3. Create the Future: Addressing Existential Threats

In the ‘Create the Future’ track, discussions revolved around addressing existential threats such as climate change, conflicts, economic models, inequality, AI, and technological disruptions. The focus was on holistic, long-term approaches to tackle these challenges effectively.

Key Sessions Attended

I had the opportunity to attend some enlightening sessions during the forum:

• Existential challenges and shared futures: Rediscovering the role of philanthropy. Philanthropy must recognize its pivotal role in addressing existential challenges like climate change, inequality, and conflict. It’s time to rethink our strategies and act collectively to secure a shared future.
• Transformative philanthropy through investing in collective leadership. Transformative philanthropy isn’t just about giving money; it’s about investing in collective leadership. Philanthropic organizations should empower and support leaders who can drive positive change in their communities.
• Reimagining wealth: Unveiling the dynamics of wealth creation and redistribution. The dynamics of wealth creation and redistribution need to be reconsidered. Philanthropy should play a role in ensuring that wealth is created, managed, and shared in a way that promotes equity and social good.
• Systems change: Trust, accountability, and power. Trust, accountability, and power dynamics are critical elements of philanthropic systems change. Philanthropic organizations should foster trust, be accountable for their actions, and consider how their power can be used to create meaningful change.
• Embracing transformational leadership: The role of boards and executive leadership in navigating risk, reward, and failure. Transformational leadership is essential for philanthropy. Boards and executive leaders must be willing to embrace risk, learn from failures, and continuously seek rewarding strategies that lead to meaningful impact.
• Footsteps of transformation: Building a global movement together. Transformation is a collective effort. Philanthropic organizations should collaborate and build a global movement to address urgent global challenges effectively.
• Breaking barriers, shifting power: A collaboration to reshape philanthropic infrastructure. Philanthropy should break down barriers and shift power dynamics within the sector. Collaboration is key to reshaping philanthropic infrastructure for greater impact and inclusivity.
• Philanthropy’s enabler role: Paving the way for collaborations that create collective impact. Philanthropy can act as an enabler, paving the way for collaborations that generate collective impact. It should support initiatives that bring diverse stakeholders together to achieve common goals.
• A decade of difference: Collective action shaping the next era of transformation. Collective action is a powerful force for transformation. Philanthropy must harness the energy of collective efforts to shape the next era of change, taking a decade-long perspective for lasting impact.

These sessions provided valuable insights into how philanthropy can adapt and evolve to tackle global challenges effectively.

In conclusion, the WINGS Forum 2023 was a remarkable platform for envisioning and embracing transformation within the philanthropic sector. It reinforced the idea that philanthropy can and should be a driving force in addressing global issues. By enabling change, aligning values with actions, and addressing existential threats, we can make a meaningful impact on the world.

As Dignitas continues its mission to empower teachers and school leaders, these lessons will guide our efforts to create a brighter future for the next generation.

Stay tuned for more updates as we work towards transforming education and opportunities worldwide!