Symposium Series Concept

As the number and type of philanthropic organizations continue to grow across the world and they become more influential actors in the education and development sector, there is a demand to deepen collective knowledge of the sector. Arguably, education and health are the two sectors that attract the largest amount of financial support by individuals, corporations and foundations.

Furthermore, international organizations tend to highlight the importance of cooperating with new partners to reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. While some studies have highlighted the complementary role that philanthropic institutions play in the distribution of public goods, such as education, other studies have raised concerns related to equity, accountability, neutrality, effectiveness and efficiency. The symposium series provides a forum to discuss empirical research on philanthropy and education. In addition, it provides a space to share studies that explore socially responsive and effective giving of individuals, corporations and foundations.

In addition to the overall symposium theme, the regional symposia address topics that are relevant for the specific region. A Call for Papers has been issued a few months before each event in collaboration with the co-organizers and co-sponsors of the regional symposium.

To facilitate engagement between actors, the symposia series seek to enrich the current body of research and invite researchers, practitioners and/or policy makers to submit papers that explore philanthropic activity in the education sector. Perspectives from any education/philanthropy related discipline are encouraged, as are diverse methodologies. While not required to fall into one of these categories, papers may be related to:

• Philanthropy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• The private sector and philanthropy
• Philanthropic and government engagement across the North-South divide
• Challenges and opportunities for philanthropy in education looking forward
• Multilateral agencies and philanthropic engagement
• Fostering collaboration between stakeholders (philanthropic organizations, national policymakers, international organizations and academia)
• The emergence of new philanthropy actors in emerging economies
• Individual giving in support of schools and higher education (including alumni giving)
• Case studies

Papers presented at the symposia will be published online and widely disseminated by the initiators of the series. In addition, an edited volume on global trends in philanthropy in education will be prepared in which the contributions of the keynote speakers will be made available to a broad audience.