Category: Philanthropic Leadership

The Human Rights First’s Campaigns involved activism against human rights injustices

BrianFleming

It is worth acknowledging the fact that the injustices that are present in the society at the moment began a long time ago. It is, however, it is interesting to note that the cases alongside human rights’ violation recently intensified significantly. In consideration of the factors that contribute to the rise in the number of cases connected to such violation, the most rampant is the availability of the internal disputes. It is for this reason that many people are internally displaced often referred to as the IDPs.

Also, the availability of external aggression especially between nations. Such is the leading contributor to the rising refugee population who flee to other countries seeking for peace. As well, there exist the economic meltdowns. The contribution of this is alongside the facilitation of an increased population size of the families and individuals who view it wiser moving out of their residence into other different homes where they believe that they can work hard in their duties and attain better rewarding outcomes. The challenge is the fact that the human rights often encounter violation. It is for the same reason that we often witness the setting up of organizations that work to ensure human rights are upheld.

Remarkably, it is worth appreciating the duty of the Human Rights First Organization. For over thirty years, it has been in the provision of services alongside the global championship for the people’s rights. The people’s rights that they fight for include the right to freedom of speech, peace, safety, the right to movement and the access to healthcare services that are good and of high quality.

Also, the individuals who take part in helping the refugees also get access to the support of the Human Rights First. Such a scenario often comes in whenever they experience some form of discrimination while carrying out their services. The advocation is a way of asking for the provision of rights as per the law.

The organization is a non-profit making one, and this is what makes it stand out from the rest. The larger percentage of the support comes from the well-wishers often in the form of funds. Most of this support is often from the private entities such as Lacey and Larkin Frontera Fund. The fund establishment was as a result of direct funding by two journalists namely Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin. The Fund is extensively known for its facilitation of various organizations actively taking part in the human rights’ fight. In essence, this is the real objective for the creation of the Fund that is presently worth $3.7 million.

True Philanthropist, George Soros, Banned by the Russian Government

BrianFleming

All too often, in the media, we hear news about wealthy people that do nothing but build their own personal and business wealth. We might hear that a wealthy person or family participates in philanthropy, but we understand it typically isn’t much more than donating money here and there and attending black tie charitable events because they feel they should. We rarely get the feeling that the philanthropists feel any strong connections to the causes they support.

Many people also feel that if they were to suddenly strike it rich by hitting the lottery, or by some other means, that they would support the causes they feel the most passionate about; and donate significant funding to them. Many people also wonder why most wealthy people do not.

However, every once in a while, we learn that someone is living up to the standards many would like other wealthy people to adhere to.

In recent news, George Soros lifetime philanthropist and hedge fund billionaire has just received restrictions from the Russian government; limiting his charitable activities within the country. Now 85 years old, Soros has dedicated his lifetime of philanthropy to forwarding causes that emphasize freedom of expression, human rights, better access to education in 70 countries and better access to public health around the world.

Some of his most famous endeavors include:

-Providing black South African students who were living under apartheid with scholarships;
-Providing people living under communism with Xerox machines to copy banned western texts; and
-Founding the Central European University to promote critical thinking

Soros according to Fortune.com founded the charities in question, (the Open Society Foundations and the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation), in 1979 when his hedge fund had reached an asset level of $100 million and his personal wealth had reached an asset level of $25 million. Since the charitable organizations are both pro-democracy charities, the government has banned their activities; stating that the activities, “pose a threat to the state and the Russian constitution.” The charities were also labeled as, “undesirable,” and placed on the Stop List.

Soros who feels very strongly that his charities operate to help the Russian people, who deeply desire the freedoms that a democratic society would provide; has encouraged western countries to send money, ($50 million to be exact), as a “bulwark,” to counter Russia’s aggressive anti-democracy practices.

Soros has stated that even though his organizations worked to forward democracy, he operated them with respect to the Russian government’s policies and is shocked that the government has placed a ban on their activities.

-Their activities were historically welcomed by both citizens and officials;
-The charities strengthened the rule of law in Russia; and
-The charities encouraged equal rights for all people

He also feels that despite the ban, the Russian peoples’ desire for freedom and a more democratic state are going to overtake the government’s actions to suppress the charities’ activities; because the Russian people themselves feel that democracy will give them a better future.

Bruce Levenson: Facilitating Philanthropic Leadership

BrianFleming

There isn’t enough philanthropy in the world, and according to a recent PR Newswire article, that’s a problem Forbes billionaire Bruce Levenson aims to fix. Several years ago, Bruce and Karen Levenson provided donations which became seed money to The Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at the University of Maryland. They’ve made at least one subsequent donation, and The Center has continuously expanded since their initial input. In fact, The Center has currently grown large enough to add a dormitory, and they’ve become renown enough to be considered among the best philanthropic leadership programs available today by a number of agencies in the nation’s capital. It makes sense such organizations should hold The Center in high esteem. Every semester, between the available classes at The Center some ten thousand dollars are raised and distributed to varying nonprofit agencies. This means every year approximately twenty thousand dollars are raised. Such a thing is a perpetual gift to nonprofit agencies. Not only that, The Center has sent students as far as India in philanthropic pursuits. Maybe this is the reason Karen and Bruce are so proud of their work. Karen has called their donations to The Center the “most profound” impact they’ve had, philanthropically speaking. Bruce has said that the center’s purpose isn’t just philanthropy, but educating “every student attending the University of Maryland” in profound philanthropic principle.  http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/undergrads-and-graduate-students-mastering-philanthropy-300038081.html