Alwaleed Philanthropies work over four decades highlighted during panel on modern approach to giving strategies
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed, founder and CEO of KBW Ventures, discussed impact investing as a means for social good at the Catalytic Philanthropy forum staged in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on December 11, 2022.
Prince Khaled, representing Alwaleed Philanthropies as a member of the Board of Directors, highlighted the Foundation’s evolution from its beginnings in 1980, and walked the audience through its maturation in governance and increasingly precise process implementation in the 90s, to its present-day format of a sophisticated globally-relevant mission-driven entity. He highlighted the inspired work of the Foundation’s Secretary General, HRH Princess Lamia bint Majed, and the dedication of the entire Alwaleed Philanthropies team, in realizing the philanthropic vision of HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.
Prince Khaled noted his concerns that extreme polarization is permeating global dialogues – stressing that it is a risk that he considers through the lens of investing – in addition to a lack of measured discourse and a decrease in conflict avoidance.
The event was headlined by Bill Gates, who engaged in a fireside chat moderated by Co-Chair of Ideas Abu Dhabi and Tamkeen Chair, Rima Al Mokarrab, that covered a broad range of subjects. During the conversation, he outlined the long-term commitments and various programs that the Gates Foundation, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and Gates Ventures have made in the way of social good, specifically in global disease eradication programs.
Addressing the push for vaccine research and development, Gates cautioned that raising funds for this continued effort would be increasingly difficult in light of the war in Ukraine. He added that one of the most relevant takeaways over his years of giving work, a constant factor was that partnerships were key to success across every initiative.
Notable social impact leaders that participated in the forum included Homaid Al Shimmari, Mubadala’s Deputy CEO and Chief Corporate and Human Capital Officer, Salama Al Ameemi, Director-General of Ma’an, and was staged in the presence of HE Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and HE Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs.
Hosted by Tamkeen, the Aspen Institute and the Gates Foundation, the one-day event brought together changemakers, social impact leaders, and the “next generation” of givers at NYU Abu Dhabi. The forum on Catalytic Philanthropy was an exclusive Ideas Abu Dhabi event. The full edition of Ideas Abu Dhabi 2023, a two-day forum, will be held on 3-4 May, dedicated to exploring future-focused themes of local and global relevance.
Related: Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed joins sector experts as judge for UAE FoodTech Challenge
