TAI Weekly

TAI Weekly|Philanthropy's Journey Amidst Asia's Rise

By TAI (Role at TAI)
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WHAT'S NEW?

In a historic vote driven by the Africa Group, UN members vote to create UN tax convention, although it was striking to see the number of OECD countries voting no. Negotiations on the convention will begin next year and Nosmot Gbadamosi asks if it will empower Africa.

Forty-eight countries pledge to implement global tax transparency standards for crypto-assets by 2027.

Transparency International analysis looks at accessibility of beneficial ownership registers across the EU one year after the Court of Justice of the EU ruling prioritizing privacy. 13 out 27 Member States, journalists and civil society organizations encounter obstacles or are completely unable to access information regarding companies' real owners.  

In the face of pressures on democracy and authoritarianism on the rise, international civil society calls for creation of a UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy. 

How can civil society engage safely and effectively at COP28? This Guide, produced by Global Climate Legal Defense, is designed for climate advocates and activists, including‭ ‬information about the United Arab Emirate’s legal framework.

At the COP, Oxfam will be highlighting a new report showing the links between climate and inequality. “Since the 1990s the richest 1% have burned through more than twice as much carbon as the bottom half of humanity.”

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, the significance of robust data governance has become paramount, transitioning from a niche concept to a cornerstone of organizational success. Open Data Institute delves into the pillars, roles, and levels of data governance, emphasizing its indispensable role in the era of artificial intelligence.

The turmoil at OpenAI adds fuel to European concerns on the technology’s dependence on US big tech, and also adds to concerns on diversity - after two female members stepped down, OpenAI’s board is now all white male.

We don’t talk much about luxury brands in the TAI Weekly but it seems they are proving slow to improve their transparency despite growing consumer pressure.

ESSENTIAL READING!

The UK released its new White Paper on International Development. It contains a lot of food for thoughts to those interested in good governance. You can read what stood out to TAI’s Michael Jarvis here.

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CHANDLER FOUNDATION:

Released the Chandler Papers - in the first of a series of publications, Shamila Batohi, Christopher Stone, and other global experts reflect on the crucial necessity for a strategic reset of anti-corruption efforts.

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Eight years on, the Paris Agreement hasn’t delivered on climate justice. Vulnerable countries and communities contributing the least to climate crises still suffer the most. OSF’s Yamide Dagnet asks, could COP28 help redress climate change inequality?

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Teamed up with Colombian journalist María Jimena Duzan for a special podcast series, “Democracia A Fondo!”. As Felipe Estefan explains, this 10-episode series is your passport to understand the challenges, triumphs, and future of democratic governance in Colombia.

TOOLS & TRENDS FOR FUNDERS

The Human Rights Funders Network (HRFN) reminds us of the troubling lack of direct, flexible funding for human rights in the Global South and East. For example, a third of funding for North American human rights initiatives comes as flexible funding, compared to just one in ten of grant dollars for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. 

Agência Lupa, based in Brazil, has taken an innovative approach to addressing the global challenge of disinformation by launching an interactive map called LupaMundi. This tool serves as a valuable resource for journalists, offering insights into national and supranational laws worldwide aimed at regulating disinformation online. 

A new supplement to Stanford Social Innovation Review recently hit the digital shelves. Titled ‘Philanthropy and Power’, this publication features insights from many incredible thought leaders within the Solidaire community on philanthropy's accountability in terms of holding power. 

Remittances by the African diaspora play a central role in keeping people out of poverty and advancing community prosperity. While they might lack the structure and formality of traditional philanthropy, Tsitsi Masiyiwa argues formal donors should be seeking ways to amplify their impact.

TOOLS FOR FUNDERS DATABASE

ESSENTIAL READING!

TAI’s Eszter Filippinyi interviews Gustavo Gómez, Executive Director of Observacom, and Guilherme Canela, Head of Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists at UNESCO reflect on the current debate on regulating online communication platforms. Read the summary both in English and Spanish, and listen to the recording in Spanish

FOCUSED TOPIC OF THE WEEK

Asia, the new economic epicenter: Philanthropy, Infrastructure Dominance, and Gender Inequality

 

Asia has emerged as the epicenter of wealth, boasting 951 billionaires, surpassing both the United States and Europe, as reported by Nikkei Asia. This surge in affluence is accompanied by promising signs of a shift towards philanthropy among the continent's elite. A poll of business leaders revealed that nine out of 10 expressed their commitment to fostering public/private partnerships for social good and addressing environmental challenges. Should these intentions materialize, Bridgespan that an impressive $701 billion annually could be mobilized, aligning with the philanthropic standards set by the United States.

In the meantime, state support far eclipses philanthropic and it is China that has assumed the mantle of the world's foremost provider of infrastructure financing to the developing world, contributing over $85 billion annually. Yet, a concerning lack of transparency shrouds the environmental repercussions of these projects. A detailed study on Chinese government-funded road improvements in Cambodia, where $4 billion has been injected into 30 projects spanning 3000 km over two decades, reveals a stark environmental toll with a substantial decline in forest cover, particularly impacting nearby plantations, where over half of tree cover has been lost post-construction. 

Adding gender perspective, Transparency International's latest paper, 'Corruption through Gender Lens' sheds light on the intersection of corruption and gender inequality in Asian and Pacific countries. Drawing insights from focus group discussions in Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, the findings underscore a troubling reality: corruption exacerbates gender inequality, posing a significant impediment to anti-corruption endeavors. 

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This funny video by the Human Services Council is several years old, but is still sadly relevant, despite some funders making notable efforts to change their grant-making practice to more trust-based support. 

 

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