Maya Angelou once said, ”I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”
Entebbe, UGANDA – From the 8 to 10th of November 2022, Open Space Center joined the Uganda National NGO Forum to organize the 2nd Annual Philanthropy Symposium at Imperial Royale Hotel in Entebbe. This was in collaboration with the African Philanthropy Network Assembly, a consortium that brings together philanthropists from all over the African continent.
Last year, together with NGO Forum, we held the first-ever philanthropy symposium as a module to overcome the effects of COVID-19 under the theme “Giving for Good”. The aim was to create awareness and emphasize the inclusion of young people in philanthropy – a case not different from this year’s symposium as we focus on “Driving Change” of philanthropy in Uganda and Africa as a whole.
During the symposium break-out sessions, over 400 people from across Africa joined the panelists to discuss the stories of the reality of philanthropy at the grassroots level, a discussion that lead many to address the matter of philanthropy for development other than a formality.
Racheal Mutesi, one of the panelists urged that philanthropists in Uganda have made the marginalized community beggers, with the “assistance” they give like food and clothing in terms of philanthropy. She continued by saying young people can give for development.
Amidst the symposium, the State Minister of Youth and Children, Hon Sarah Mateke, flagged off the local giving fair that brought forth a great number of exhibitors including NGOs, initiatives, and individuals for local giving fair, a platform for the exhibitors to show how their works are derived towards giving. Some of these exhibitors included NGO Forum, Smart Girls Foundation Uganda and Faces Up to mention but a few.
At the end of the three-day symposium, it was well agreed that to better philanthropy in Africa, there is a great need to work together, and ensure visible accountability in terms of development besides documents, pictures, and videos and keep the giving spirit up.