Representatives of civil society from around the world will meet in Bogotá, Colombia, between December 5th and 7th to show other ways of doing philanthropy
In 2016, in Johannesburg, South Africa, what Jenny Hodgson, Executive Director of the Global Fund for Community Foundations (GFCF), defined as “one of the most inspiring and dynamic movements for change in philanthropy”. The Global Conference on Community Philanthropy, organized by the GFCF, brought together more than 400 people from 70 countries. The message we wanted to convey was clear: we need to face and review the logic of power that governs the sector of philanthropy and international humanitarian aid and bring communities to the center of the debate. From this meeting, the hashtag #ShiftThePower (#SubvertaOPoder, in free translation) was born, which soon went viral on social media and has inspired civil society leaders around the world in debates about the sector and its practices.
Brazil could not be left out of this global movement. In addition to being present at the Conference, Rede Comuá also adapted this hashtag to #PoderParaAsComunidades. Through it (together with #ShiftThePower), we sought to highlight the stories, practices and knowledge of member organizations of the Network which, through grantmaking for social justice, they have re-discussed the logics of power in the sector and shown that, yes, there are possible alternatives – and community philanthropy and social justice is precisely one of them.
Heading to Bogotá
After seven years since the last global conference, civil society leaders, activists, representatives of networks, social movements and collectives from all parts of the world will meet between the days December 5th and 7th, 2023, in the city of Bogotá, Colombia, for another edition of the #ShiftThePower Summit. For the first time in Latin America, the event goes far beyond using a hashtag – its objective is to inspire and mobilize representatives of civil society from around the world, especially from countries in the Global South, who are on the front line of building new ways of doing philanthropy and international development, truly centered on communities and people.
Rede Comuá closely follows the construction of roads towards Bogotá. In addition to being a member of the organizing committee, the Network will also be present at the conference, in order to share the experiences of community philanthropy and social justice in Brazil and adding forces to this global movement.
Be sure to check out information about the conference on the event's official website and on Rede Comuá’s social networks (@redecomua). The program is being created collaboratively and will soon be announced.
Come be part of this movement!
