Africa: The State of Philanthropy in Africa - Call for Abstracts

Trust Africa
The State of Philanthropy in Africa

Call for abstracts

TrustAfrica is pleased to announce the first in a series of publications on the state of philanthropy in Africa. TrustAfrica is soliciting abstracts of papers that can help measure the state of philanthropy in Africa. Successful abstracts will be developed into book chapters that will be published in the beginning of 2008. Abstracts (250 words maximum) are due no later than September 15, 2007.

Please send abstracts to [email][email protected] , or [email][email protected] Contact détails Mermoz Pyrotèchnie Route de la Stèle, Lot N° SR 12 BP 45435, Dakar-Fann, SENEGAL Tel: 221-869-4686 E-mail: [email][email protected] Website: www.trustafrica.org

Introductory Statement
Although a culture of giving and mutual support has deep roots in Africa, formal institutions of philanthropy are somewhat new. TrustAfrica, a foundation based in Dakar, Senegal, seeks to build understanding and support of this vital sector by promoting mutual learning and knowledge building among African institutions. Slated to debut in 2008, The State of Philanthropy in Africa is a series of publications that will reflect on theoretical, philosophical as well as historical and cultural underpinnings of the field and explore its relation to civil society, the state, regional organisations and Africans in the Diaspora. The series seek to build an infrastructure for philanthropy in Africa through research, intellectual reflection and policy debates.
The publication will address and fill gaps in the field of philanthropy as it is practiced in the African context. Philanthropy, especially in Africa is not a popular field, even in spaces of higher learning. Mention the term 'philanthropy' at an African university; students and lecturers alike are likely to ask, 'what is that?' Talk of 'African philanthropy' is even less familiar. It is hoped that this initiative will address the myth that philanthropy is not an interesting field of study and research, and other related misconceptions. In other words, this initiative seeks to introduce a new narrative on African Philanthropy.
The present dynamism and 'renewed excitement' around Africa's development is taking place at a time when development actors, including international donors, are rethinking the way they view and analyse Africa. The emergence of organisations in Africa that advocate for African leadership and 'collaborative strategies' in resolving the problems of the continent represent an important development.
Against this backdrop, arises the question of African philanthropy; whose function and definition has often remained 'unclear'. Even in the architecture of philanthropies or in the broader political economy of 'philanthropies', African Philanthropy is relegated to the margins. African forms or 'notions' of philanthropy do not play any major role in the global context. But for many in Africa, these different philanthropic practices influence their lives in positive ways. There is research showing that most communities in Africa depend on each other for their development purposes. One is not allowed to 'suffer' while neighbours watch. Various communities have mechanisms that cater for the needy. Current trends in Africa project a commitment to positive changes. Africa is in a different ideological mode today than it was some two or three decades ago.
There is renewed attention both by Africans and the international community on Africa's development trajectory, processes and initiatives. The new Pan-Africanism manifests itself in many forms. At the political level there is a degree of political willingness towards a people-union (Union Government), based on popular participation and solidarity; and at the economic level, various regional economic communities and initiatives are forging ahead amid challenges towards the harmonization of their policies, programmes and finally towards a common market.

It is in this context that TrustAfrica is calling for contributions to The State of Philanthropy in Africa book in a bid to interpret philanthropy in Africa in ways that use African prisms; taking into account African contexts.
Thematic areas include:
Theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of philanthropy in Africa,
Philanthropy and culture in Africa,
Philanthropy and Religion in Africa,
Institutional forms of philanthropy in Africa
Philanthropy, the state and development,
Philanthropy and the Diaspora,
Philanthropy and civil society,
Philanthropy and assets

Specific questions include:
Local forms of philanthropy and the challenge of resources mobilisation
Does local giving (local philanthropy) add value to African foundations that are supported mainly by big international donors?
What explains most Africans' general willingness to give to institutions such as foundations (as expressed in formal and informal gatherings/networks) and the reluctance to actually donate or give to these institutions?
What is the psychological impact of international philanthropy on Africans toward giving and by implication on development in Africa?
Which worldview defines philanthropy? Is it appropriate? Does it position different philanthropies in their appropriate positions in global relations?

Institutional forms of Philanthropy: Foundations in Africa
How can foundations reconfigure themselves in ways that impact positively on development?
How do foundations work with new initiatives in Africa that seek a united and sustainable Africa?
What are the current mechanisms that facilitate an interface between foundations and the new African agenda (AU, RECs, NEPAD, etc)?
How do foundations align their work with that of the African peoples? In other words, beyond making grants and implementing projects, do foundations understand the people and the cultures under which they operate?
What limitations do foundations face in their grant-making, especially with regard to African organizations, most of which do not usually meet donors' criteria?
Endowments for African foundations have been difficult to establish. Some organizations in Africa have shied away from creating endowment funds while others have creatively established them.
What are the possibilities and limitations of endowment building in Africa?

Civil Society and States in Africa
Civil society organizations have advocated for participation in the AU and other regional bodies. A number of spaces have been made possible in the process either through advocacy (created spaces) or by invitation (invited spaces). How can civil society manage these various spaces in ways that facilitate productive collaboration?
How can African philanthropy be targeted to strategic plans of nation states, regional communities, civil society and the AU and its organs?
What role can philanthropy play in connecting citizens to their leaders?
Can philanthropy be a vehicle for citizens' participation in decision-making, development initiatives, policy formulation and implementation?
How does philanthropy take advantage of the new thinking in Africa, which promotes the inclusion of civil society and other social formations in the affairs of the continent and member states?
How can African philanthropy (and/or philanthropy in Africa) build a social movement for peace, development and inclusion?
Diaspora and African Development How do the Diaspora organize, how are they motivated, what are their contributions to Africa and their mode of engagement with African institutions;
What are the present frameworks/structures in Africa for financial, social, political and intellectual capital from the Diaspora;
Why are the African Diaspora not as passionate about Africa as the European and American Jews about Israel;
How do African embassies in other parts of the world engage the Diaspora on issues of Africa at a country, regional and continental level?