http://www.asiapacificphilanthropy.org/conference [0]

Read on! We look forward to receiving your comments on this issue.

Rory Tolentino

Because of the critical role of the enabling environment, Sidel recommended a strong research focus on the views and policies of receiving states as there needs to be deeper understanding of their roles in the diaspora philanthropy process and on the enabling environment for diaspora giving. How are States facilitative, controlling, restrictive or channeling in their policies? What new bodies have been set up to deal with diaspora giving, including commissions and sub-national authorities? (Read Sidel’s full paper at www.asiapacificphilanthropy.org/conference [0]. Contact thru mark-sidel@uiowa.edu [1], for comments.)

In discussions that followed, many learnings were identified. Something as basic as easing visa requirements of diaspora givers to return to their home countries could develop a more ‘welcoming’ environment.

Participants noted as well the need for legislative capacity building for governments that do not yet understand how to balance regulation and encouragement of diaspora philanthropy.

On the question of the role of remittances, the point made by speaker Manjula Luthria of the World Bank was how remittances are one link between migration and development. The global figures for remittances have now reached three times more than official development assistance (at about $300 billion). Dr. Luthria says remittances offer an economic lifeline for the receiving country and social protection for individuals. But Luthria asks, “what if societies become dependent on transfers? Isn’t the social cost of the migration plus remittances too high?”

At the end of discussions, the participants felt that resolving issues about the enabling environment should be approached cautiously and with awareness of the political issues inherent in policy. Research should also analyze the enabling environment at the sending country end.

WORKING OUT ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP FOR SOCIAL INVESTMENT: TRUST IN GIVING CHANNELS IS A KEY ISSUE

Priya Viswanath, APPC Conference Chair, highlighted what’s being learned from documented mechanisms for strategic philanthropy and best practices. This documentation is part of the new research of APPC covering Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Pakistan. (Read the country papers at http://www.asiapacificphilanthropy.org/conference [1])

Some of the organizations featured in the conference were the Aavishkaar India Micro Venture Capital Fund [2], The Ayala Foundation-USA [3] (Philippines), Drishtipat [4]in Bangladesh and ADAPT-Vietnam [5]. (Read more about these organizations [5].)

“A crisis of trust is the real issue,” explains Prof. Adil Najam of Boston University. Referring to his research work with the Pakistan Centre of Philanthropy in 2004, he said, that the lack of trust in organizational channels is hindering the Diaspora from giving more. About 83% of the people interviewed in the study felt there was potential to give more; but they only wanted more trust in the organizations. People give [more willingly] through people. But to institutions?

There are many paths to development; we have to face the real challenge of mechanism, emphasized Dr. Barnett Baron of The Asia Foundation and Give2Asia founder. He explained that the purpose of increasing diaspora philanthropy is not to increase support to NGOs but to support development.

Looking forward to building greater trust with the Diaspora, it is critical to develop a more reliable information database about NGO and community-based intermediaries, community situationers (including disaster relief and response updates), and the work of government agencies and their policies, pointed out Mai Anonuevo of Atikha (Philippines).

 A "CHALLENGE GRANT" OF $ 3 MILLION

 
Doan Phung (4th from right) donates $3million challenge grant to the VA-NGO Network. Ceremony is witnessed by Darwin Chen, Chair of APPC, US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak and Don Tuan Phong of the People's Aid Coordinating Committee (L-R), and members of the VANGO Network: Quyen Vuong, Prof. Le Khoa, Diep Vuong, Dee Dee Nguyen and Binh Rybacki.

How to engage diaspora givers? Here’s one inspiring example. During the conference, Vietnamese-American philanthropist, Dr. Doan Phung, announced his gift of $ 3 million to be used by members of the Vietnamese American NGO network. The fund will be used to leverage funds that VA NGO raises from the diaspora communities for projects in Vietnam, working with Vietnamese local NGOs and with government and other stakeholders. The goal: to develop a common vision of Vietnam and a road map to attain this vision.

Chu Doan, who is a nuclear scientist, spoke about his “Vietnamese Dream.” He dreamed of seeing his country enjoy a per capita energy consumption of about 10% that Americans enjoy; a GNP growing at the pace of South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan; the average Vietnamese freed of worry about the next day’s food, shelter and education needs. To this end, he had established the Vietnamese-American Scholarship Fund, and later, the Fund for the Encouragement of Self Reliance. At the conference, he took a further step to work in close partnership with community-based VA NGOs. With a road map and a shared dream, he felt that many possibilities could be actualized.

Present to acknowledge Chu Doan’s gift were US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak, Don Tuan Phong, Deputy Director General, People’s Aid Coordinating Committee and Professor Le Khoa as representative of VA NGO.

VOLUNTEERING: A SHOW OF FORCE FROM THE DIASPORA

Ivan Small, co-author of the Vietnam Country Paper, leads a discussion on the paper.

One of the important goals of the conference was to understand the magnitude and impact of volunteerism and non-monetary giving from the diaspora. As APPC noted, very limited research so far has only given some indications. One example is how the first generation diaspora seemed to be engaged as volunteers more so than subsequent generations (who are inclined towards monetary giving).

During the conference, a thread wove clearly through the rich stories of volunteerism and non-monetary giving in all seven countries. These models of volunteerism were discussed in the breakout sessions.

"PHILANTHROPY IN ASIA, TO ASIA AND FOR ASIA" - BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION NOW!
www.asianphilanthropyforum.org [6]

Perhaps one of the first volunteerism projects emerging from the conference was the creation of this advocacy platform.

The Asian Philanthropy Forum “is a network where donors and community leaders can connect with each other, a place where nonprofit leaders can share their successes and their best practices; and where everyone can track the latest philanthropic trends in Asia,” says Dien S. Yuen.

“If you are interested in bringing new donors and charitable resources for Asia and supporting emerging and proven community leaders in Asia, please contact us, at dyuen@give2asia.org [7] or dien@asianphilanthropyforum.org [8].”

TAKING ACTION NOW WITH A LONG VIEW

As countries formed initial action plans, there was general consensus about which recommendations made in the country papers could be prioritized. These included advocating for an enabling environment, introducing diaspora philanthropy to various sectors including the media and NGOs, establishing trust through an independent certification agency, and targeting the second generation of givers.

In addition, recommendations outside of the country papers included creating a database about productive engagements and best practices in diaspora philanthropy, increasing the interaction between government agencies involved with diaspora, and supporting diaspora research to which end Diaspora Resource Centers could be established.