RETHINK THE pOFower GIVING PODER Philanthropy Forum WHAT WOULD YOU GIVE? “Think of giving not only as a duty but as a privilege.” - JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER THE POWER OF GIVING. AS EDITOR In Chief of a magazine like PODER philanthropically (socially, environmentally, conscientiously) one is always reading, listening, writing about great accomplish- effective ones. ments and great ideas—and about the individuals responsible for I want to thank you for coming and sharing your ideas, your them. Our PODER Forums stem from the enthusiasm of making accomplishments and your enthusiasm, and to invite you to fur- the sharing of these ideas more interactive. ther the integration of the concept of “philanthropy” into your This year’s Philanthropy Forum exemplified just how deeply lives and businesses every day. Hopefully the day will come we share our enthusiasm about such ideas and accomplish- when the label will be superfluous, and the concept itself will ments with the community of business leaders we reach. We become intrinsic to any enterprise worth embarking in. want to thank you all—sponsors, speakers and guests—for Please stay tuned for next year’s PODER Reconciliaton this treat. Forum. But this Forum also made us realize that philanthropy is not an abstract concept one can isolate and discuss philo- sophically, but rather an integral part of any solution to any of the major challenges our planet and society face today. No longer can we sit and ponder if we are going to get in- volved. Rather, it’s time to concentrate on the hows: how can we make philanthropic initiatives into sustainable business- Isaac Lee Editor-In-Chief es, and how can we make good, sustainable businesses into PODER Magazine INTRODUCTION WHAT DOES “PHILANTHROPY” MEAN? hemisphere and around the globe. They explored the generosity in spirit and How do differences in culture, geography and history deed that can be shared across borders. They learned that where those two ideologies intersect reveals the uniqueness of hemispheric charity. determine how people define the word, perceive its This was the foundation for the PODER Philanthropy Forum. importance, and embrace its potential? The event showcased people and organizations that have changed the civic Why is it that in the United States, for example, charity is very much about and business worlds by doing good deeds. Attendees discovered the breadth corporations and individuals giving to organizations large and small? Family and scope of global philanthropy. They heard how one man challenged long- and personal foundations, like those of the Rockefellers, Warren Buffett and held practices of denying loans to worthy women and the poor in his native Bill and Melinda Gates donate billions of dollars to various causes, while in- Bangladesh—and in the process improved millions of lives. They learned how dividuals of lesser means write checks to international groups and local non- the son of one of America’s wealthiest families created an organization to profits. Yet in Latin America, people are suspicious of large organizations, and encourage philanthropy among an entire generation of young people. They giving is local, whether it’s people funding family or community organizations, discovered how publicly traded companies steer billions of dollars to target or immigrants in the U.S. sending more than $60 billion a year in remittances everything from poverty to disease to hunger, and how a former teacher works home to their families. tirelessly to ensure underprivileged children in Los Angeles receive after- Such questions have puzzled philanthropic leaders for years. But for two school enrichment. days in March 2008, a select group of leaders gathered to learn, discov- Amid it all, participants networked, shared examples and developed relation- er and define these issues in an effort to promote philanthropy across the ships certain to advance regional and global philanthropy. 8 PODER PHILANTHROPY View from “The Heart of the World,” the environment of Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta For today, there’s a new movement afoot. In the 1990s, “success” meant amassing millions. Today, accumulation is no longer the sole objective. Billion- aires are learning from history to lead by example and give of their wealth. Stan- dard Oil, Andrew Carnegie, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the School children in Galadima receive Vanderbilts and the Whitneys all funded libraries, art galleries, hospitals and computers through the One Laptop Per other organizations. They changed America—and the world. Child Program Latin America is catching on. Participation in the PODER Philanthropy Forum revealed more than a passing interest in giving. It unveiled a true • The media’s role in fostering philanthropy, and the need to protect the concern for developing a culture of philanthropy. From business leaders to press in that effort government officials, celebrities to opinion leaders, everyday citizens and • One artist’s gift that kindled cultural curiosity across continents remote tribesmen, people are serious about the part they can play in pro- • How immigrants’ $60 billion in remittances is changing their homelands moting charity, helping the environment and facing challenges head-on. • How indigenous people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, known as Participants listened as presenters discussed: the Heart of the World, may be harbingers of environmental changes to come • Strategic and innovative philanthropy in the fields of health, education, It is before this backdrop that PODER Magazine, the premier publi- finance and the arts cation for the business elite focusing on U.S. Hispanic and Latin Amer- • The impact of celebrities who use their fame to encourage participa- ican policymaking and corporate strategy, sought to be a catalyst for tion by others change. PODER partnered with the City of Miami, the Inter-American PODER PHILANTHROPY 9 INTRODUCTION Development Bank, Georgetown University, Miami Dade College, Syner- business and cultural leaders, to embed an ethos of individual philanthropy gos.org, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Televisa, Banamex, and corporate investments, and to ignite the spirit of giving throughout the Univision, Impremedia, the Miami Herald Publishing Company, Foreign Americas. People were engaged from across the generations and socio-eco- Policy magazine, and the Committee to Protect Journalists. The event nomic and geographic divides. The two days of compelling conversation—in also included the Boston Consulting Group Business Awards, spotlight- a fashion for which PODER Magazine has become known as the regional ing leaders from business and government who have invested countless leader—have led to a greater awareness of social responsibility, which in hours and personal wealth to make a difference. turn can lead to positive change. In the end, no magic formulas Change starts with awareness. Proactive philanthropy is promoted by wit- One of many phil- anthropic donations were discovered. Such age-old prob- nessing the good others are doing, by seeing that charity doesn’t happen in a made by Colombian artist Fernando Botero lems as the fight against poverty, dis- vacuum, but as part of a community effort conducted by both rich and poor, ease and hunger, and the efforts to from countries large and small, and from personal resources both limitless and promote education, battle injustice, humble alike. For two days, participants engaged in a truly genuine dialogue de- and heighten environmental aware- signed to introduce newcomers to the importance of philanthropy, and reinforce ness throughout the region, went un- dedicated philanthropists to the power and growing influence of their efforts. / AP resolved. For now. Across the hemisphere and around the world, it’s time to rethink phi- But in the end there was a commit- lanthropy. And the PODER Philanthropy Forum helped pour the foundation MARKUS SCHREIBER ment to engage the region’s political, upon which the future of giving might build and prosper. 10 PODER PHILANTHROPY “I’m not doing my philanthropic work out of any kind of guilt, or any need to create good public relations. I’m doing it because I can afford to do it, and I believe in it.” - GEORGE SOROS THE POWER OF MUSIC. THE CAUSE Ya Es Hora ¡Ve y Vota! MONICA LOZANO Senior Vice President of Newspapers, The beneficiary of the Poder Benefit Concert was ImpreMedia Ya es Hora !Ve y Vota! (www.veyvota.org). Created This is our time. This is when Latinos can make a difference in national presidential politics. And if we can take that desire to in 2007, the effort debuted as an aggressive, non- make a difference, this is a day to vote. partisan civic campaign with an urgent goal: To moti- EMILIO AZCÁRRAGA vate Latino legal residents to attain U.S. citizenship Chairman, PODER Philanthropy Forum Chairman, Televisa and register to vote in the 2008 presidential elec- I can think of nothing more important or timely in this election tions. The campaign represents a strategic alliance year than supporting civic participation among Latinos here in the U.S. between Mi Familia Vota Educational Fund, NALEO Educational Fund, the National Council of La Raza, CESAR CONDE Executive Vice President, and Spanish-language media companies Entravision Chief Strategy Officer, Univision Hispanics in the past lacked access to the vital information to be Communications, ImpreMedia, and Univision Com- more involved in the political process. That fact was the impetus munications, Inc. Its multi-media grassroots print for the launch of Ya es Hora. and broadcast outreach has touched countless La- ALBERTO IBARGÜEN President, tinos, encouraging more than one million to become John S. and James L. Knight Foundation naturalized citizens—and become forever engaged in Ya es Hora means nothing. It’s just a slogan unless you do something about it...You’ve heard from my colleagues. What are the American political process. you doing? Join us.