Innovation and philanthropy to change the country.

What are the first words that come to mind when you think of legacy? This was one of the questions asked during the event held at the end of April, through a partnership between the Bem Maior Movement and Banco Santander. “Legacy” featured prominent figures who are rethinking philanthropy in Brazil, generating conversations that help us understand the current state of the country and envision possible paths and solutions to re-energize the work of entrepreneurs and social organizations.

The audience that filled the Santander Theater in São Paulo, or joined us online, was asked what their idea of ​​legacy is. The most repeated answers were: future, purpose, history, love, heritage, impact, and transformation. The co-founder of the Tellus Institute, Germano Guimarães, offered 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 power to replace state actions, but it should and needs to help improve the state's performance. Social organizations should test, experiment, and be more daring to validate projects. In this way, the good ideas that emerge can influence public policy, creating a multiplier effect.

I believe that social organizations have the power to create a major hub for social innovation in Brazil. Through technical expertise, well-designed and transparent governance processes, and access to recurring sources of funding, these initiatives develop and dedicate themselves to exploring our human potential to solve complex social challenges.

If we want to leave a better future, the time to act is now. As Dr. Drauzio Varella, one of the speakers at Legado, 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'll leave an absurd country for our grandchildren.”.

This philanthropy meeting brought together leaders, managers, businesspeople, social entrepreneurs, and members of social organizations. It was a wake-up call, aimed at spreading a culture of giving and reinforcing that we all have a responsibility to prevent leaving behind 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 must demand that Brasília respect social rights and that there never be a regression in this regard," Elie Horn taught us.

When I concluded the meeting, I wanted to talk about choices. About choosing to reduce inequalities. A choice that needs to be both individual and collective, and to act intentionally today. We need to be aware that each of our actions, as well as our omissions, is 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. 

Image Credit: Press Release/MBM