Shares approach to social responsibility and inclusion with international audience
Geneva, 8 October 2013 - Turkish business leader and philanthropist Güler Sabancı received the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award today at Synergos' University for a Night (www.universityforanight.org). Ms. Sabancı is Chair of both Sabancı Holdings and the Sabancı Foundation.
University for a Night brought together leaders from philanthropy, business, government and intergovernmental organizations, and civil society to share ideas and experience about collaborative approaches to poverty and other complex problems. Synergos, a global NGO dedicated to fighting poverty, has organized the event annually in New York since 1997; the gathering in Geneva marked the second time University for a Night was held in Europe.
Past recipients of the Bridging Leadership Award include the Aga Khan; Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City; former U.S. President Bill Clinton; philanthropist Mo Ibrahim; former South African President Nelson Mandela; Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the President of Liberia; and Queen Rania of Jordan. David Rockefeller was the first recipient - the award is now named after him.
The award was given by Synergos to Güler Sabancı due to her roles as a philanthropist, business leader, and model of socially responsible leadership in one of the world's most important countries.
“Güler Sabancı is a model for all business leaders not only in Turkey but around the world” said Peggy Dulany, Founder and Chair of Synergos, who presented the award. “She is deeply engaged in what the Sabancı Foundation and Sabancı University do, and highly articulate about the rationale for choosing each strategy. And so much of their success is about reaching out and collaborating with other parts of Turkish society, as well as international partners. That is what this award is about.”
The achievements of the Sabancı Foundation were highlighted at University for a Night through an opening discussion between Ms. Sabancı and Ms. Dulany. Participants learned about its work to promote greater social inclusion of women, youth and persons with disabilities in all aspects of society. Ms. Sabancı also talked about the Turkey's Changemakers program, which promote social development and awareness and ultimately mobilizes active citizenship by inspiring and encouraging others.
The discussion also touched on personal and family philanthropy, with Ms. Sabancı talking about the origins of the foundation, and her personal commitment to a better Turkey.
“I believe that raising the status of women in Turkey is a responsibility shared by everyone,”? Ms. Sabancı said. “It is not only in Turkey; we are still in need of serious support for the role of women in business and society all around the world. Women leading big corporations, assuming various important social and political roles is still considered newsworthy, which clearly shows the need to further support and enhance the role of women in society. I am pleased that my work has been recognized and I hope to be a role model.”
University for a Night concluded with participants meeting around particular topics such as “Philanthropy to stop human trafficking,” “Partnerships to improve global health and nutrition,” “Impact investing,” and “Supporting women and girls for social change.”
Major event sponsors of the event in Geneva included Sabancı Foundation, Crédit Agricole Suisse, the Rockefeller Foundation, Kim Samuel Johnson, and Shell. The next University for a Night will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in April 2014.
About Sabancı Foundation
Established in 1974, Sabancı Foundation aims to promote social development and awareness among current and future generations by supporting initiatives that create impact and lasting change in people's lives. The Foundation provides support for education, arts and culture, sport and civil society initiatives that strive to create equal access and opportunities for women, youth and persons with disability. For more information, visit www.sabancivakfi.org