'People need to get involved in philanthropy,' says the controller of Porto Seguro regarding the Charter for Democracy

In an interview given to the newspaper O Globo, Jayme Garfinkel, our associate, talks about the importance of businesspeople's involvement with the topic of philanthropy. 

"People need to get involved in philanthropy. No one can tolerate the misery and destruction that the country is experiencing anymore," he said.

The controlling shareholder of the insurance company Porto Seguro is one of the signatories of the Charter for Democracy, to be read in the halls of the USP Law School on August 11th, and cites the potential of the Bem Maior Movement as a tool for a more just and inclusive society.

You joined the Bem Maior Movement, which encourages a culture of giving. Does this greater corporate engagement in politics and national issues reflect in donations?
We are trying to create a movement in the private sector to eradicate poverty, trying to encourage the private sector in this agenda. I was very impacted by an article by Fernando Schüler in Veja magazine, in which he said that slavery ended in the 19th century and that the challenge of the 21st century should be to end poverty. A country with this potential, this wealth, and youth. And since then, a group of friends and I have been engaged in this, trying to work on it. There are many initiatives, but there is a lack of coordination. And this could come from the government, as it would have a greater impact, building people's confidence to donate more. But the government cannot be seen as the figure of the taxman. People should have an interest and willingness to pay taxes and not see it as a bite. People have to engage in philanthropy. Nobody tolerates the poverty and destruction that the country is undergoing anymore. But this is built on trust, not division. Today, if the PT (Workers' Party) is in power, people say they will be against it because it's right-wing. I'm also involved with the Action for Peace institute, to improve the prison system, give more dignity to prisoners, and reduce recidivism. But it's a drop in the ocean. To broaden the impact, you have to engage the public authorities.

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Interview published on August 11, 2022 in the newspaper O Globo. To read the full interview, click here.

Image Credit: Press Release