The 2024 Brazil Philanthropy Forum launched with a thought-provoking session titled “Philanthropy: Untangling the Knots of the World.”

As session mediator, Philip Yun, Co-President and Co-CEO of the CCWA and Global Philanthropy Forum, set the tone by asking the audience: ‘How many of you believe that the world is a mess? Raise your hand. How many of you feel anxiety and concern, or know of people who are anxious about the world?’

While these questions highlighted a seemingly bleak reality, Yun skilfully steered the discussion towards optimism. He laid out critical insights for navigating the challenges of today’s world, helping the audience think about how to ‘untangle the knots’ of global issues.

Embrace change, act boldly, and step aside

Yun emphasised several crucial lessons:

• Abandon outdated models: He urged funders and organisations to move beyond ‘business as usual’ approaches, advocating for adaptability in an ever-shifting world.
• Act swiftly and boldly: In moments of crisis, those willing to take risks and act with urgency can make a significant impact.
• Amplify others’ voices: Yun also stressed the value of ‘getting out of the way’, allowing others, especially those affected by inequality and discrimination, to speak. By fostering authentic narratives, philanthropy can cultivate and spread hope.

Renata Piazzon: Shifting the focus from climate to prosperity

Yun then invited Renata Piazzon, Managing Director of the Arapyaú Institute, to address the critical question: What is the role of philanthropy in changing systems?

Piazzon began by explaining that “Arapyaú” is an Indigenous term, meaning ‘earth without any evil, where all the knots are untied’. Drawing on her experience at the 15-year-old institute, she suggested a refreshing approach to tackling the climate crisis.

Instead of focusing solely on the climate, Piazzon advocated for reframing the conversation to centre prosperity, development, and human connection. She reflected on the organisation’s interactions with Indigenous, Quilombola, and riverside communities in the Amazon.

Piazzon shared a key insight from these communities – when asked what they needed most to continue their environmental stewardship, their answer was simple but profound: connectivity—to healthcare, digital technology, and education. Such access is vital for these communities to continue defending their lands and ecosystems.

This revelation underscored her call for multi-faceted climate funding. If philanthropy is to be systemic in its approach, it must connect climate action with other social agendas and build networks across various sectors. Piazzon also pointed to a sobering statistic: only 2% of global funding currently addresses climate issues. She called for a more global and collaborative flow of resources, combining different types of capital to drive real, systemic change.

Cida Bento: Tackling race and inequality in philanthropy

Next, Cida Bento, Co-Founder and board member of the Center for Studies on Labor Relations and Inequalities, addressed the intertwined issues of race and inequality in both Brazilian and global philanthropy.

Bento began by honouring the long-standing Indigenous and women’s movements in Brazil, urging the philanthropic sector to draw lessons from these efforts. She emphasised the need for greater diversity in decision-making, particularly when it comes to allocating resources.

“More than half of the Brazilian population is Black, yet this is not what we see in this room,” Bento remarked, shedding light on the lack of representation. She added that the problem extends beyond individual organisations, noting that racial inequality is not merely about numbers but is also a worldview—one rooted in whiteness. To foster real change, Bento argued, philanthropy must challenge and dismantle white, predominantly male power structures.

Bento echoed Piazzon’s sentiments, highlighting that collective action is essential for addressing the structural inequalities that dominate Brazilian philanthropy. ‘We are a messy country,’ she noted, ‘and we need collectiveness to find the best path forward’.

Her message was clear: to untangle the knots of race and inequality, funders must go beyond their traditional, often white, networks and engage meaningfully with Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities.

Sergio Fausto: Fostering pluralistic dialogue for change

Lastly, Sergio Fausto, General Director of Fundação Fernando Henrique Cardoso, spoke about the importance of spaces that encourage pluralism and open dialogue to confront the key issues facing Brazilian society.

Fausto referenced the research and policy work of his organisation, which underscores the need for radical change in how we address the crises in democracy and the environment. According to Fausto, an open environment of pluralism and reflection is essential to navigate disagreements and controversy constructively.

Moreover, he stressed that these crucial discussions must extend beyond foundations, reaching the broader public. Fausto concluded by reminding the audience that coalitions and alliances derive their strength from their ability to provoke discomfort. He encouraged the audience to embrace uneasiness and engage with differences to create solutions.

Closing on a note of hope

In closing the session, Philip Yun returned to the question he had posed at the outset, weaving his final remarks with a message of hope for the future:

‘By simply being here, you acknowledge that the world is messy, complex, and difficult. But you also believe something can be done. You believe in the power of collective action to make the world a better place’. 

This session at the 2024 Brazil Philanthropy Forum served as a powerful reminder that, while the challenges may seem overwhelming, philanthropy, when working with communities, has the potential to drive real change. By embracing new models, acting boldly, and fostering inclusive dialogue, we can untangle the knots of today’s world together.

Kit Muirhead is the Partnerships Manager at Alliance magazine.