Philanthropy From Generation to Generation (2011)
Moderated by the Director of Programs and International Relations of the Sabanci Foundation Filiz Bikmen, the seminar on Philanthropy From Generation to Generation hosted two speakers; Dr. Peggy Dulany, daughter of David Rockefeller and the Synergos Institute Chair, and Rockefeller grandson, Michael Quattrone.
During her opening speech, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sabanci Foundation, Ms. Guler Sabanci pointed out growing up in a family in which contribution to social development was deemed a crucial mission, and that she held philanthropy synonymous with social legacy. Sabanci noted that the understanding of philanthropy had been reshaped with the changing conditions of times as her family philanthropic legacy passed over from one generation to the other; As the world changes, problems change and needs diversify. In order for a Foundation to contribute to society, it needs to monitor the needs of the society closely and extend support accordingly. We see the lives we have touched and we feel the power of sharing through our endowment of more than 120 institutions, 36.000 scholarships and 800 awards and grant programs in Turkey , said Sabanci.
Highlighting the significance of civil society, Sabanci said, The most essential triad marking a democratic and developed country is a strong state, an effective private sector, and an active NGO sector. Strong partnerships among those actors are equally vital since social development may be sustainable so long as we collaborate.
Sabanci pointed out the culture of collaboration as the most essential inheritance for future generations, stating, I learned this culture from my family, and we now exert our efforts to convey it to future generations via our companies, our university and our Foundation.
Speaking at the seminar, Dr. Peggy Dulany shared with the audience the importance of philanthropy in leadership and the qualities sought in a philanthropic leader. Accentuating emotional intelligence as a prominent success factor in philanthropic leadership, Dulany said, Those acting with emotional intelligence in the business world succeed 20% more . Dulany listed the elements of emotional intelligence as follows: Through a combination of self-awareness, self-management, empathy and social skills, we may generate a model of philanthropy. These skills will improve cooperation and build bridges among the sectors.
The most important values we have inherited from Rockefeller family are transparency, integrity, trust, and empathy. Foundations are established to pass these values from one generation to the other and create a safe space for the next generation. However, we should first start with ourselves. You should question your personal message and contribution to the world and know who you are. You should be the change you want to see. That is what will bring about change to the world , added Dr. Dulany.
The other speaker of the seminar, Michael Quattrone highlighted the significance of self-awareness and shared examples about his own experience. Quattrone said his family had offered him valuable opportunities and possibilities: I prioritized myself and focused on myself. I honed my artistic skills and invested in myself, because I realized that one needs to know who he really is to be able to contribute to the world.
Regarding philanthropy, Quattrone remarked: Philanthropy embodies love of humanity and self-dedication to that love. If you know who you are, if you grow to become self-aware, if you know how to contribute to the world, your philanthropic endeavor will attain its most honest form and be sustainable
DR. PEGGY DULANY
Synergos Institute Chair
Dr. Peggy Dulany is Chair of The Synergos Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating effective, sustainable and locally based solutions to poverty since 1986. Under the auspices of Synergos, Dr. Dulany and her father David Rockefeller established the Global Philanthropists Circle in 2001 which is a dynamic network of 250 leading Philanthropists from more than 25 countries across the world, committed to using their time, influence and resources to fight global poverty and social injustice. Dr. Dulany career has included consulting with the United Nations and the Ford Foundation on health care and family planning in Brazil, the United States and Portugal, and with the National Endowment for the Arts on nonprofit management and planning. She was Senior Vice President of the New York City Partnership running Youth Employment and Education programs for five years. Dr. Dulany is an honors graduate of Radcliffe College and holds a Doctorate in Education from Harvard University. She has sat on over thirty nonprofit and corporate boards including Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Africa-America Institute, among others.
MICHAEL QUATTRONE
Founder of Hearthfire
Son of Dr. Peggy Dulany, Michael Quattrone was born in 1977. He is a singer and songwriter, and the founder of Hearthfire, a nonprofit organization that celebrates the innate brilliance of every human being and nurtures creative expression and leadership by creating experiences of earth, art and heart. Previously, Michael worked for eleven years as an artistic associate with Visible Theatre in New York City, and was on the Theatre Arts and Studies faculty at Johns Hopkins University. He was also a curator of the KGB Poetry series for four years. Michael is the author of Rhinoceroses, an award-winning chapbook. His poetry has also been published in several journals and anthologies. Michael holds degrees from Northwestern University and the New School, and lives in Westchester, NY with his wife and three children.
For the written document of the seminar please click here...
See link below for Meral Tamer article on Sabanci Foundation Philanthropy Seminars in the daily Turkish newspaper Milliyet:
See link below for Ismet Berkan article on Sabanci Foundation Philanthropy Seminars in the daily Turkish newspaper Hurriyet:
