In an article, Carola Matarazzo, executive director of the NGO Movimento Bem Maior, argues that the pandemic could leave a legacy of more solidarity.
An Indian writer described the pandemic as a portal that allows us to choose what will follow us when we cross it. Will we take our prejudices, individualism and apathy with us, or will we find ways to leave them behind and start nurturing values and building a new social dynamic, a new morality that benefits everyone?
The Covid-19 crisis generated important reflections on the reality we live in and the relevance of our individual and collective choices in building a future that leaves no one behind.
On National Philanthropy Day, October 20th, we need to raise awareness and take co-responsibility for creating solutions to the problems that afflict us collectively, in our neighborhood, city, country and world.
I am referring here to all those who volunteer to exercise their role as citizens, and especially those who are in leadership positions, opinion makers and businesspeople. Everyone can be a protagonist in this mission, and they need to find in action the motivation to contribute and build a nation for everyone.
In Brazil and around the world we see a movement towards a new economy, where companies, in addition to seeking financial results, begin to look at ESG criteria and also assume a proactive and intentional role in creating positive socio-economic and environmental impacts throughout their chain. and in the life cycle of its products.
Strategic Philanthropy is a great ally for companies seeking to be part of and enable the innovations necessary to create this new economy. Historically, the areas of social responsibility and sustainability existed to mitigate risks and direct resources, which were not always aligned with their purposes and regions of operation.
In one of the most challenging moments in our history, we saw the agility and strength that multisectoral alliances can have to mobilize, articulate and direct resources. Until September, R$6.3 billion in philanthropic resources were raised, according to ABCR, to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. This number illustrates the potential of philanthropy in Brazil, and motivates us to work increasingly towards a culture of donation and solidarity.
Once the emergency is over, we need to face the urgent issues we face. It is essential to continue with joint efforts aimed at technology, research and experimentation with innovative ideas, promotion of initiatives with local impact, financing of structuring pilot projects, at state or national level, and the articulation of technical advocacy groups. All of this seeks to make social results tangible, which can scale changes and help address new public policies.
Intersectoral dialogue is necessary to be able to understand the complexity of demands, so that private social investors can change the route of expectations, value processes, recognize the relevance of social organizations and the sector, far beyond just evaluating the results of an impact investment through an Excel spreadsheet.
Unlike the immediate and measurable results that are obtained when changing a machine within a production line, evidence of transformation in the real world takes time to generate tangible results and is subject to other social factors.
Traveling this new path is possible through a change in individual mindset, but also through corporate social responsibility, where trending themes such as inclusion, diversity, equity, socio-environmental balance are truly foundations for building a society robust in values.
Civil society has a responsibility to address new agendas and new forms of collaborative work, guaranteeing and deepening democracy and citizenship, universal rights and opportunities, and shared and inclusive sustainable development for all.
To this end, philanthropy brings a series of powerful tools, where donation and voluntary work are the main means of engagement and social transformation. It is really important to reflect on the power that our choices have to redefine our legacy as an individual and as a society.
On this date, I invite you to think: new normal or new morality?
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Text originally published on the Exame magazine website .
