NextGen
PHILANTHROPISTS
Philanthropy – it’s not about wealth, sacrifice or being rich in your 50s. It’s when you know the more you give the more you receive. It’s about planning your career or business success with others in mind – others who have a lot less.
I am reminded of Mahatma Gandhi’s quote: “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.”
Philanthropy is where attitude meets empathy and discipline. It’s sustainable success where contentment is the thermostat. The problem with our education system is that attitude and values are not a part of the assessment. If we don’t etch this in the mind when young “the all or nothing” attitude will reign supreme. Our only hope for the diseased world is to nurture evangelists who are young and willing to take charge.
This is what the Next Generation Philanthropy Leadership Programme is about, in essence. I met the founder of the programme, Faye Lo, 4 years ago and was instantly taken by her quiet conviction. Faye lends credibility to the programme because she walks the talk. Not only does she fund it fully (through the Good Soil Foundation), Faye drives the initiative with passion and imagination.
So, when she asked me if I could design and facilitate a “revolutionary”, “practicable” and “thought-provoking” session for the programme, I had to say yes. The lure was that the participants were bright, questioning youths in their teens and twenties. I simply love the challenge of ‘waking them up’, inspiring them, and getting them to question themselves, not just others. The ultimate reward was in seeing each one of them transform at the end of 5 days.
So, it is my great pleasure to recommend the Next Generation Philanthropy Leadership Programme to youths who would love to meet their peers from other parts of Asia.
I have been with the programme as a facilitator/guest faculty for 3 consecutive years and am proud to confess I am addicted to it. It beats being a strategy consultant, a senior commander in the armed forces, being a podcaster or a Member of Parliament.
There is an exceptional lineup of top professors who are paired with expert trainers and those who have been there and done it. There are visits to prominent and fascinating philanthropic foundations and organizations. We’re bent on making the learning experiential and FUN! Technology exposure is a constant feature.
Participants have access to the resources of top universities such as the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the University of Hong Kong (HKU). They serve as co-branding partners who support and amplify the impact of this summer programme.
The aim is to demystify philanthropy in our young. We want the participants to design and pursue their life goals with philanthropy in mind.
When you sign up for the programme, you’re taking the first step towards a lifetime of doing good, better.
