Mini Forum 6: The role of international philanthropic organizations and NGOs in climate change and sustainable development

Given the magnitude and complexity of the environmental challenges facing the world today, a variety of public and private stakeholders must play an active role in generating solutions. International charities and NGOs – with their credibility, fundraising acumen and ability to serve as a neutral broker –are a critical component of the global response to climate change. The mini forum will highlight some of the more strategic, effective, and sustainable climate change mitigation programs carried out by several leading international charities and NGOs. Panelists will share their organization’s programmatic successes, as well as lessons learned, with relevance to the international development community as a whole.

This segment of the GSSD Expo 2012 will provide an opportunity for Member States, private philanthropic organizations, civil society and other stakeholders to discuss the comparative advantages and challenges of philanthropic contribution in achieving development results.  It will also focus on how to further strengthen the role of civil society and private philanthropic organizations through partnerships with other stakeholders. The event intends to encourage the active engagement of private philanthropic organizations in international policy dialogue on development cooperation.

The mini forum will help address how foundation and philanthropic resources can contribute as strategic responses to complex challenges facing our increasingly interdependent world, especially in solving pressing social and environmental problems.  It will aim to engage presenters and audience on how non-traditional donors for development such as foundation and philanthropic organizations see themselves as active participants in the business of solving social and environmental problems, including climate change and disaster management, as well as their catalytic role in contributing to development.