Over 1,500 leaders of governments and NGOs, academic institutions and foundations; 115 speakers; 60 plenary sessions, in many different formats and topics: open space, lectures, debates, cultural evenings and meetings. These were just some of the achievements of GIFE’s seventh Social Investment Congress, held on 26-30 March – the biggest philanthropy event ever held by GIFE.

Apart from the numbers, the congress has shown that social investment is not insular, being essential to a broader dialogue with other sectors. The mosaic of experiences here emphasized the importance of relationships and sharing knowledge.

With the theme ‘New Frontiers of Social Investment’, the event discussed new perspectives on traditional issues such as investment in education, health and environment, while also reflecting new themes for today’s challenges. ‘Examples are movements for sustainable cities, Rio+20, the growth of the business, investment in the Amazon and the social legacy that we hope major sporting events will bring in the coming years,’ said GIFE president Denise Aguiar.

During the event, a representative of the minister of the presidency launched a fund focused on philanthropy. This fund, unprecedented in Brazil, is currently a government project but will later be open to private investment. It will fund social organizations across the country, with initial investment of 200 million reals (US$106 million). ‘This will be an autonomous source of funds that we see as the embryo of a new form of funding for organizations,’ said the minister, Gilberto Carvalho.

For more information
http://www.gife.org.br