Columnist

North East three-day event set to celebrate and debate philanthropy, diversity and inclusion

Having delivered Generosity Festival, the world’s first festival of philanthropy and giving in 2018, the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland is continuing the conversation about philanthropy’s role in addressing issues affecting communities. From 5-7 November 2019, a series of events under the #PoweredByPhilanthropy banner, will turn the spotlight on diversity, equality and inclusion.

Rob Williamson, the Community Foundation’s Chief Executive, explains why this topic is the focus for 2019: “The Community Foundation supports grassroots groups helping people from diverse backgrounds. We can see the part philanthropy has played in supporting greater equality for communities, but we also know there is much more to do, if we and others in philanthropy are to serve our communities better by tackling racism, sexism, homophobia, disability discrimination and other inequalities.

“So, through the inspiring and thought-provoking #PoweredByPhilanthropy events this November, we want to open up a conversation about diversity, equality and inclusion. As well as providing opportunities for celebration, challenge and debate, we will be paving the way for our next Vital Signs report, which aims to uncover how philanthropy can better address diversity and inclusion.”

#PoweredByPhilanthropy 2019 kick offs on 5 November at Gosforth Civic Theatre with an event celebrating diverse groups supported by the Foundation. Debra Allcock-Tyler, Chief Executive of the Directory of Social Change, will give a keynote address. That will be followed by an evening celebrating arts and culture from diverse communities across Tyne & Wear.

On 6 November, events will look at how philanthropy has supported the development of greater equality and inclusion for marginalised groups. Professor Charles Harvey of Newcastle University will explore philanthropy’s history of supporting diverse communities in north east England. Giving the historical international picture will be Rhodri Davies, of the Charities Aid Foundation. Joining them to bring the story up to the present day will be Liz Alleston, Director of Fundraising at the LGBT charity, Stonewall.

The day will conclude with the ‘Great Philanthropy Debate’ where a Question Time-style panel will discuss whether or not philanthropy has a diversity problem resulting from being too male, white and wealthy. The festival will close on the morning of the 7 November with a call to those from diverse backgrounds to sign up to join the boards of charities across the region.

All the events are free to attend but do require booking. To see the full #PoweredbyPhilanthropy 2019 programme and book please visit www.communityfoundation.org.uk You can also follow @CFTyneWearNland on Twitter and join the debate using the hashtag #PoweredbyPhilanthropy

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Community Foundation .