Philanthropy Summit in Monaco highlights social responsibility

The first edition of the International Philanthropy Summit took place on Thursday, February 15, at Auditorium Rainier III.

Founded by Antropov Alexey, the event brought together some 60 people to hear distinguished philanthropists, who help “drive public attention to the social responsibility of wealthy individuals and luxury brands”.

The programming was divided into three sessions: How Private Wealth Can Fill Public Gaps: Charity, Philanthropy & Social Investment; What Are the Key Trends in Philanthropy?; and How Celebrities & Luxury Brands Work to Save Natural Resources and Improve the Livelihoods and Education of the Most Vulnerable and Unprotected People?

The distinguished list of international speakers included well-respected Monaco figures – the Director of the Prince Albert II Foundation Olivier Wenden, Luc Pettavino, Founder of OnlyWatch, the biennial charity auction of one-of-a-kind timepieces for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research, and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannu, Founder of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, and the first Monaco resident to join the Giving Pledge, the “global, multi-generational initiative” that encourages the most affluent individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy.

At the end of the day, three speakers were presented with awards, designed by Monaco-based artist Marcos Marin. The first trophy was given to Dr Rupert Graf Strachwitz, Founder of the Maecenata Institute for Philanthropy and Civil Society in Berlin, whose involvement with not-profit organisations for over 30 years has earned him acclaim as one of Germany’s key philanthropists.

The second prize was awarded to Sir Stelios, whose Foundation is committed to supporting entrepreneurship with annual awards such as the Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK. The easyJet founder received a Knighthood for services to entrepreneurship, and since 2009 he has been the Honorary General Consul for the Republic of Cyprus in the Principality of Monaco.

Daniel Gros, Director of the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels, received the final award. Mr Gros, a frequent speaker at World Economic Forum, previously worked for the International Monetary Fund and was a former advisor to the French prime minister.

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