ANCOP Australia take part in APPC’s 4th Biannual Conference in Vietnam
By RHONA C. ALFORTE Date Posted: June 28, 2008
Who would have thought that I’d go on my first ever business trip while working at the Philippines for GK Ancop Australia?! It was exciting…
On Tuesday 20th of May 2008, I was on my way to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 at only 4:30am in the morning. Having been invited to attend the Asia Pacific Philanthropy Consortium’s (APPC) 4th Biannual Conference in Hanoi, Vietnam was my reward for being up so early. Not only was it my first time to go to Vietnam, but it was also the first time I’d ever given my business card to so many people!
‘APPC is a 13-year old network of grant making philanthropic institutions and organizations that support the growth and development of philanthropy in the Asia Pacific region. APPC’s mission is to increase the quality and quantity of philanthropy for Asia by strengthening the institutional infrastructure and improving the operating environment for the philanthropy sector. To achieve its mission, APPC serves as a catalyst, convener and network builder.’
The theme for this year’s conference was ‘Diaspora Giving: An agent of change in Asia Pacific communities?’ Prior to the conference, seven research papers were written from Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines and Vietnam, to provide country reports regarding findings whether or not Diaspora giving is an agent of change in their communities.
The conference was held at the Melia Hanoi on 21-23 May 2008. It involved discussing patterns and trends on Diaspora philanthropy to Asia over the past 10 years, as well as identifying best practices and mechanisms of strategic philanthropy by Diaspora groups. The conference also analyzed each country’s enabling environment and helped develop action recommendations for the promotion of strategic philanthropy by the Diaspora.
So, how did ANCOP Australia got invited to the conference?
Lead researcher for the Philippines’ country paper, Mai Anonuevo, met with the coordinators of ANCOP Australia, USA and Canada, in October last year, to enquire about ANCOP’s role in supporting the work of Gawad Kalinga in the Philippines. The country paper that she wrote together with her husband, Agustos Anonuevo, which features ANCOP and Gawad Kalinga, can be found at http://asiapacificphilanthropy.org/conference
As the current coordinator of ANCOP Australia at that time, I was invited to speak at the conference during one of their Breakout Sessions on Channels and Intermediaries, particularly about a Regional/Global Intermediary Organization- Gawad Kalinga and ANCOP Australia.
It was truly an honour and great privilege for me to present the work of Gawad Kalinga and ANCOP Australia to the participants of the conference who came from different parts of the world. Among the participants were famous Australian news anchor, Stan Grant, CEO of The Myer Foundation, Refugee Council of Australia, Charities Aid Foundation Australia, Habitat for Humanity, Ayala Foundation, Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, Save the Children, Give2Asia, members of the press, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs from different countries.
Sincere thanks to ANCOP Australia and APPC for sponsoring my airfare and accommodation for the conference. Not only has it been a wonderful and learning experience for me, but also a memorable one!
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The conference was held at the Melia Hanoi on 21-23 May 2008. It involved discussing patterns and trends on Diaspora philanthropy to Asia over the past 10 years, as well as identifying best practices and mechanisms of strategic philanthropy by Diaspora groups. The conference also analyzed each country’s enabling environment and helped develop action recommendations for the promotion of strategic philanthropy by the Diaspora.
As the current coordinator of ANCOP Australia at that time, I was invited to speak at the conference during one of their Breakout Sessions on Channels and Intermediaries, particularly about a Regional/Global Intermediary Organization- Gawad Kalinga and ANCOP Australia.
