Kampala, UGANDA – On 21st December, 2021, Open Space Center in partnership with Uganda National NGO Forum convened the first-ever “2021 Philanthropy Symposium under the Theme: “Giving For Good” at the Silver Springs Hotel, Bugolobi. The event featured a face-to-face physical engagement with a highly targeted audience of 140 participants including youth leaders, policy makers, private and informal sector and members of civil society.
This event follows the Give for Good Campaign which was launched in June 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic, and aimed at engaging youth in community philanthropy awareness drives at various levels. The Campaign was supported under Uganda National NGO Forum’s Philanthropy for Development Programme with a bold vision for transforming how “development is done” by focusing specifically on the recognition and importance of domestic resources in increasing local ownership, unlocking agency and strengthening communities’ ability to claim entitlements from different actors.
Richard Sewakiryanga from the Centre For Basic Research delivered the Keynote Address on “Local resources for local needs; Common challenges and trends in Uganda”. He offered recommendations on the nature of philanthropy today.
“We need a law that defines Philanthropy. We need to invest in Philanthropy Innovation and leadership competencies in young people. We need to develop a culture of local Philanthropy because building Community Philanthropy will help us go further. We need to exploit the Parish Development Model that shapes minds. We need to create learning communities just like this Philanthropy Symposium because iron sharpens iron. We need to throw more light on gender-sensitive giving. Government must always make sure that they do their part also.,” urged Sewakiryanga.
The overall goals of the symposium was to create youth awareness around community philanthropy and ongoing charity causes at a national level, mobilize youth to actively support community philanthropy at various levels, and to engage youth in debate and dialogue around community philanthropy and other pertinent issues in the community which aim at generating issues that will inform ongoing policy advocacy.
Isabella Akiteng, a Women Rights Activist, responding to the question of Gender and Philanthropy, said, “We need to understand that philanthropy is an act that we can all do. Both women and men can give in Time, Talent, and Treasure,”
“The question is, what are citizens in UG giving, and what are they giving to right now? I believe Ugandans are giving as much as they can. But because of the direction we are going in terms of Philanthropy, every citizen should have the minimum information to be able to give,” she added.
John Walala, the Director Local Governments Inspection, also emphasized the need for mindsets driven to give with purpose.
“We need to prepare and get a critical mass of people whose mindset has changed, and who give when they know why. People are willing to give, but the beneficiaries should also know what exact services they are receiving,” Walala said.
The symposium successfully brought together over 120 youth, their leaders, organizations and key community decision makers for a grand celebration featuring panel discussions, an open exhibition and interactive presentations around models of youth giving, sharing successes and best-case practices around community and domestic giving.