Is there a will? | August 2003

By John Heller

This Alliance Magazine article, written by Synergos' Mulit-Stakeholder Partnerships Director John Heller, stems from an international conference in Oaxaca, Mexico where 33 foundation leaders discussed foundations and social justice. Three key observations from the conference were: social justice is an urgent issue, there are many obstacles but also much resolve, and that foundations are looking beyond grant-making to address social justice. Participants also focused on the role the state can play in engaging with foundations for the advancement of social justice. Foundations can promote bridging, standards, improvement of public policy or serve as a model for alternatives to government policy. Ultimately foundations can open new possibilities for participation and connection but there has to be a will to do so behind the structure.

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