29 May 2009

The tradition of giving is deeply rooted in Arab history. Mostly religion based and with a charitable orientation, philanthropy has been a widespread practice in Arab societies.

Today, the Arab philanthropy scene is changing. A new type of Arab philanthropist is emerging, revamping old ways and adopting new modalities to structure and target private giving beyond the provision of basic consumables to effect sustainable societal changes. Through various foundations (corporate, family, community and other hybrid genres), these philanthropists are working in different areas, strategically deploying private wealth to meet systemic problems out of a conviction that Arab governments cannot possibly meet the challenges alone.

Headed by high net-worth and affluent business leaders and individuals, philanthropic foundations are working in areas that run the gamut from education and health to poverty-alleviation through projects and grants to other non-profit implementing organizations and public bodies.

An interesting work in progress is the newly founded Arab Foundations Forum (AFF), which is trying to group Arab foundations under one umbrella to cater for the needs of this emerging sector. The idea to establish the AFF has been brewing since 2006, but only recently have serious institution building efforts been instigated. Its strategic vision is still modest and will hopefully be scaled up to ensure that the work of foundations is both cumulative and effective.

Beyond the aspired professionalization of philanthropy, and overall organizational support the AFF will provide, this new establishment should aim to become an innovation lab for new ideas and a place where the growing community of Arab donors and grant makers share knowledge on best practices. It should also serve as a clearinghouse for who is doing what in Arab countries, assessing needs, mapping out available opportunities for both donors and grant seekers, and measuring progress. The AFF could also facilitate collaboration and promote synergies between foundations and work to interface with the various initiatives, programs, and international donors that have worked for years on development-reform issues in Arab countries.

Arab governments have realized the potential of private money in helping meet economic and social needs. Various initiatives rope in these foundations to support poverty alleviation efforts, education initiatives and other causes on the economic and social agendas deferring the need for more politically painful changes needed for meaningful reform. One of the main challenges facing Arab philanthropists today is their willingness and ability to go the extra mile to be proactive by supporting democracy development beyond governments' bland modernization approach, rather than being solely reactive filling the gaps in government programs and cushioning demands for change, in effect protracting the status quo.

Various foundations have played a critical role in helping post-communist Europe transition to democracy, and countless other foundations and philanthropists have joined hands to participate in strengthening democracy in their own societies. Whether they work on society-oriented programs such as support for civil society, human rights, and free media or on state-oriented programs such as legal and judicial reform, private donors can insist on the immediacy of reform and help decide its pace.

While the list of reform priorities is long in the Arab world, empowering people to help themselves is a rudimentary prerequisite for change. As a bedrock of democratic societies, civic participation is essential for reform. Therefore, philanthropists have an interest and responsibility to create space for political and civic organizations to demand and effect change. Arab philanthropic foundations should familiarize themselves with the language of reform, with government and its programs, and with local civil society. They should identify those leading NGOs in the reform camp including fledging advocacy and government-oversight organizations and those working on human-rights issues which tend to be excluded from public funding.

Such organizations are in dire need of technical and financial support. Many of them turn to foreign-funders for assistance, which often negatively affects their credibility and allows governments to target their work and to lessen their appeal to the public. International donors, on the other hand, help these organizations tunnel forward by transferring much needed technical knowledge on democratic development. However, they cannot indefinitely fund them. Local donors can help consolidate achievements when international funding winds down, so that these groups can continue their work.

Even when working on more conventional philanthropic areas such as health and culture, foundations should step up their efforts to take part in the reform debate surrounding these fields, advocating for action on reform priorities and helping guide policy making. Foundations generally possess the leadership and resources to press their agenda by engaging governments and parliamentarians on a higher level than other civil society actors.

Arab philanthropists today are a hopeful sign of an emerging civic spirit. They have the resources, leadership and more importantly the cross-level ability to bring together business practice, civil society and government to interact together to effect structural reform in a region screaming for change. Let's hope they live up to their potential.

Dima M. Toukan is a Jordan-based commentator who worked at the MEPI regional office in Abu Dhabi as a political-women's issues specialist. She wrote this commentary for THE DAILY STAR.

Copyright The Daily Star 2009.