Circle Network

UAE businessman and philanthropist Badr Jafar has published a book based on interviews he has done with more than 50 global luminaries. The Business of Philanthropy features conversations with King Charles III, Bill Gates, David Miliband, Baroness Valerie Amos, Muhammad Yunus, Kristalina Georgieva, Wladimir Klitschko, Jacqueline Novogratz, Mo Ibrahim, and many more. The book examines the intersection of business and philanthropy, revealing fresh perspectives on old and new problems, and provides a much-needed infusion of hope and optimism around our collective capacity to confront global challenges. All author proceeds are being donated to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in support of children affected by armed conflict.

It was great to see so many familiar faces - as well as meet some new ones - at DUBAI FUTURE FOUNDATION. Thank you Dina H. Sherif and Natasha Milan Matic, Ph.D. for sharing your report and also to the panellists (and audience) for their thought-provoking comments in the discussion that followed. It was refreshing to see people taking strong positions and questioning each other. We need more of this in the MENA #philanthropy space! Anissa Punjani, Pearl Initiative, Sumaya Nair, Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT, Fadi Ghandour, Sonia Ben Jaafar, Sabrin Rahman, Nader AlBastaki, Mona Ataya, Hassan Majeed, Naila Taji Farouky, Marina Henry, Anna Bertmar Khan, Maximilian Martin, Ph.D., Sarah Bacon, Mai Farouk.

We invite foundations and philanthropy support organisations to join us on 17 October for the webinar ‘Philanthropy and COP29: Opportunities for Engagement and Impact’, co-hosted by WINGS and Philea - Philanthropy Europe Association. We will dive into #COP29’s policy priorities, explore the key issues—adaptation, loss and damage, equity—and map out how #philanthropy is coming together to address these challenges. Register here: https://lnkd.in/e3b6eMih #PhilanthropyForClimate

How can philanthropy help drive innovation and entrepreneurship in the GCC?

🎬 In case you missed it... #SheCreatesChange is now streaming on YouTube! Room to Read's award-winning animated short film showcases the inspiring true stories of six remarkable girls as they transform their lives and communities through education. Missed the global premiere on #InternationalDayoftheGirl? You can still experience these powerful stories of resilience and hope — and support Room to Read in creating a more equitable world. Watch, share and get ready to create change: https://okt.to/RkWfDO

💡 Join us on Thursday 17th October for a dynamic discussion on the role of #philanthropy in #entrepreneurship and #innovation in the GCC. Dina H. Sherif, executive director, Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT, will be sharing exclusive insights from new research about philanthropy and entrepreneurship in the GCC. This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring: ⚫ Fadi Ghandour, founder and CEO of Wamda Capital and founder of Ruwwadjo ⚫ Nader AlBastaki, managing director of Dubai Future District Fund ⚫ Natasha Milan Matic, Ph.D. director of Global Commons Alliance ⚫ Sabrin Rahman, managing director – head of Sustainability (Europe, Middle East, Africa and Turkey) at HSBC ⚫ Sonia Ben Jaafar, CEO of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation ⚫ Mona Ataya, founder of Mumzworld.com The event is being hosted by the DUBAI FUTURE FOUNDATION. Spaces are limited. Please register to confirm your attendance. https://lnkd.in/eNiMsMZs

Visit the Circle Calendar to see upcoming philanthropy and nonprofit events happening in the MENA region, and beyond. Here are some upcoming listings: 📆 8 October: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah: a year genocide in Gaza (online) Hosted by: Arab Foundations Forum (AFF)   Speakers: - Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta FRCS(Plast), Gaza war surgeon 📆 10 October: Investing for impact (online) Hosted by: FINSIA  Speakers: - Judith Fiander, CEO, Australian Philanthropic Services - Julianne Wilkin Head of Impact Investment, Save the Children Australia 📆 10 October: How philanthropy can empower a resilient future (online) Hosted by: Center for Disaster Philanthropy Speakers - Lisa Butenhoff, Head of anticipatory action, Save the Children International - Austin Snowbarger, Senior manager strategy and research, Center for Disaster Philanthropy 📆 17 October: Philanthropy's role in entrepreneurship and innovation in the GCC (in-person) Hosted by: Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT and Pearl Initiative, a Circle Network partner Fore more information > https://lnkd.in/dezjQuvt Want to get your events listed? Get in touch info@Circlemena.org #philanthropy #impactinvesting #disasterphilanthropy #GCC

According to the UN, Zeinab was a ‘youth’ when she was widowed. Few people are aware that at least 1.36 million of the approximately 258 million widows globally are child widows - girls who have lost their husbands while still in adolescence, that is, under the age of 18. This number is likely higher due to under-reporting. As a result of early marriages, these girls face challenges including financial instability and heightened vulnerability to violence from those around them. The World Bank indicates they are more likely to live in extreme poverty while cultural practices can further exacerbate their suffering. While the UN defines 'youth' as those between 15 and 24 young widows are generally overlooked in youth programming and development initiatives by NGOs, which rarely acknowledge their unique category. Because widows are perceived as older women, GFW has often found it difficult to get the attention of youth-focused donors and NGOs whose accumulated experience and interest in youth programming would make them ideal partners. GFW works with widows of all ages to build fair and sustainable futures. Circle Network Read more at: https://lnkd.in/ds8N3sQS Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage * Millions Of Child Widows Forgotten, Invisible And Vulnerable Report By Action On Child, Early And Forced Marriage (2018) #EndChildMarriage #GirlsRights #endviolenceagainstwidows #widowseconomicinclusion #tooyoungtowed #youth #youthwidos

Visit the Circle Calendar to see upcoming philanthropy and nonprofit events happening in the MENA region, and beyond. Here are some upcoming listings: 📆 27 September: Navigating the limits and evolving role of humanitarian aid (hybrid panel) Hosted by: The New Humanitarian and Refugees International Speakers include: - Eric Reidy, editor and reporter, Migration and Special Coverage , The New Humanitarian  - Lina Srivastava, founder of the Center for Transformational Change - Alex de Waal, @Executive Director of the World Peace Foundation at Tufts University. - Arwa DAmon, Ex-CNN Senior Correspondent President & Founder of INARA  - Aarathi Krishnan, Founder of RAKSHA Intelligence Futures, Former Head of Strategic Foresight at UNDP Asia-Pacific - Thaer Ahmad, Palestinian-American emergency medicine physician Board member of MedGlobal. - Alex Gray, CA, Director of International Funds, The Center for Disaster Philanthropy - Hanin Ahmed, Emergency Response Room volunteer and Sudanese activist - Jeremy Konyndyk, President of @Refugees International, humanitarian advocate  - Nadine Saba, Co-founder and director of Akkar Network For Development 📆 3 October: Reflections on the future Hosted by: WINGS Speakers include: - Benjamin Bellagy, Executive director, WINGS - Erika Gregory, President, Horizon 2045 - Nicolas Larsen, UNESCO Chair in future capabilities, Copenhagen Institute for future studies - Pupul Bisht, Founder, Decolonising the Future For more information > https://lnkd.in/dezjQuvt Want to get your events listed? Get in touch info@Circlemena.org #philanthropy

Ahead of the UN Summit of the Future, the OECD - OCDE Network of Foundations Working for Development (#netFWD) and WINGS have issued a statement on strengthening the role of private #philanthropy in global development.   We are happy to share the endorsement of 24 prominent foundations and philanthropy networks. We call for philanthropies to: 1. Tackle inequalities and prioritise voices and experiences in the Global South by increasing resources to low-income countries and directing funding toward women, youth, and grassroots funds. 2. Move towards a multi-dimensional approach by strengthening cross-sector partnerships, breaking down policy silos, and protecting civic space to enhance development effectiveness.  3. Maximise philanthropy’s unique strengths through innovative financing, such as flexible grants and blended finance, while ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment with local needs.  Read the full statement here:  https://lnkd.in/eWFQWnJg #LiftUpPhilanthropy