What are the first words that come to mind when you think about legacy? This was one of the questions asked during the event promoted at the end of April, through a partnership between Movimento Bem Maior and Banco Santander. “ Legado ” featured big names who are rethinking philanthropy in Brazil, generating conversations that help us understand the current situation in the country and see possible paths and solutions to reenergize the work of entrepreneurs and social organizations.
The audience that filled the Teatro Santander, in São Paulo, or was with us online, was asked what their idea was about legacy. The most repeated answers were: future, purpose, history, love, heritage, impact and transformation. The co-founder of Instituto Tellus, Germano Guimarães, presented an important reflection: “when we think about multiplying social impact, civil society organizations have the role of promoting innovation to generate social transformation.”
The third sector does not have the economic strength to replace the State's actions, but it must and needs to help it improve its performance. Social organizations must test, experiment and be more daring to validate projects. Thus, the good ideas that emerge can influence public policy, creating a multiplier effect.
I believe that social organizations have the power to create a great hub of social innovation in Brazil. Based on technical expertise, well-designed and transparent governance processes, access to recurring sources of resources, these initiatives are developed and dedicated to exploring our human power to solve complex social challenges.
If we want to create a better future, the time to act is now. As doctor Drauzio Varella, one of Legado's speakers, said about his experience as a volunteer in prisons: “Either we attack the problem or we won't have a solution as a country. Or we will leave an absurd country to our grandchildren.”
This philanthropy meeting brought together leaders, managers, businesspeople, social entrepreneurs and members of social organizations. It was a shake-up of consciences, to spread the culture of donation and reinforce that we all have the task of preventing us from leaving an “absurd country” for the future. The need to practice philanthropy in an organized way to achieve scalable results was another point highlighted.
The founder of Cyrela and the Bem Maior Movement, Elie Horn, argued that doing good is a moral, civic and public obligation. “The silent voice of good must speak louder. We have to demand that Brasília respects social rights and there is never any regression in this sense,” taught us Elie Horn.
When I ended the meeting, I wanted to talk about choices. Of choosing to reduce inequalities. A choice that needs to be individual and collective, and act today with intentionality. We need to be aware that each of our actions, as well as our inactions, are shaping the future of the society in which we live. What legacy will we leave?
This article was originally published in the newspaper O Povo .
