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Holding it together in Northern Ireland

Avila Kilmurray 1 December 2014

The societal rollercoaster of political transition can be exhilarating but it is not comfortable. How can philanthropy offer a steadying hand? Over 30 years of political violence a small number of largely UK charitable foundations …

Three ways for foundations to help Arab societies

Bassma Kodmani 1 December 2014

The uprisings of 2011 did not feel so much like spring – rather like a new birth: the birth of democracy, no doubt. These kids who took to the streets carried the vision of democratic …

Private philanthropy in South Africa and Sierra Leone: Interview with Yasmin Sooka

1 Yasmin Sooka 1 December 2014

Has private philanthropy mainly been on the ‘right side of history’ in South Africa or other transitions you have been part of, taking smart risks at the critical junctures? In the main, philanthropy in South …

Interview with Rodrigo Uprimny: Ending armed conflict in Colombia- how has philanthropy done?

Rodrigo Uprimny 1 December 2014

What kind of support has been going to Colombian civil society in recent years? Colombia has received a considerable amount of money for not-for-profit activities from various international and local actors. A very high proportion …

Philanthropy and inclusive transitions

Mark Freeman, Barbara Ibrahim and Hilary Pennington 1 December 2014

Barbara Ibrahim, Mark Freeman and Hilary Pennington report on highlights of an expert discussion about key ingredients for advancing inclusiveness in transitions. Those who work on transitions are often asked if they can point to …

A Norwegian perspective on conflict resolution and peacebuilding

1 Tore Hattrem 1 December 2014

Promotion of the rule of law, peace, dialogue, reconciliation and respect for human rights are all fundamental pillars of Norwegian foreign policy. All these elements are also important components for countries in transition. Norway works …

Philanthropy in transitions: concluding reflections

Mark Freeman, Barbara Ibrahim and Hilary Pennington 1 December 2014

Few professional sectors are better suited to support transitions than private philanthropy. Bilateral and multilateral aid agencies often operate on fixed, multi-year budget cycles and may require legally complex consultations with public officials or parliaments …

People: philanthropy’s great strength

Samantha Gilbert, John Harvey and Wangsheng Li 1 September 2014

Pick up any edition of Alliance from the past few years, and one message is clear. In truly unprecedented ways, the global philanthropy sector is on the move, popping up in new places, growing in …

What talent do we need?

Andrew Milner 1 September 2014

Foundations are mostly identified with the work they do – the programmes they operate, the grants they make. But what makes a good grantmaker? A good programme officer? A good foundation leader? All that many …

Keeping HR on its toes

Michael Wills and Hazel Douglas 1 September 2014

‘Lavish time on recruitment’ Tom Peters, Thriving on Chaos Twenty years ago, for many organizations, recruitment was pretty hit and miss. Often the selection process was simply a chat over coffee, or a meeting with …