Tackling Global Issues with Pro Bono: Experts from 27 Countries Convene in Portugal to Take On Challenges at Global Summit

“The world is facing significant challenges—climate change, immigration crises, health care, education and so much more,” says Liz Hamburg, President and CEO of the Taproot Foundation. “Now, more than ever, we believe that human capital provided by business professionals in pro bono service can have a significant impact in tackling many of the world’s challenges.”

The worldwide movement of pro bono service is growing as the need to address the critical problems of communities is magnified. As reported by Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP)  in their 2016 edition of “Giving in Numbers,” 71% of Asian companies offer some form of pro bono service programming (up 4% from 2015), and European companies are not far behind at 64% (up 9% from 2015). This year’s Global Pro Bono Summit will have a special focus on tackling global issues using pro bono service, including how corporations might activate pro bono volunteers in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. “IMPACT 2030 Partner Companies and Stakeholders believe that a commitment to human capital investment via corporate volunteering is a powerful tool to accelerate the global achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda, advance the practice and impact of pro bono activities, and inspire the private sector to positive action,” says Dr. Tauni Lanier, Executive Director of Impact 2030, who will be presenting at the Summit. Other sessions include the potential of impact investing and taking a cross-sectoral approach to campaigning for a cause.

About the Global Pro Bono Summit and Attendees

“For us, pro bono is an effective tool to inspire responsible leadership and address key challenges worldwide,” notes Markus Hipp, Director of the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt. “Together with our partner the Taproot Foundation, we are proud to host the 5th edition of the annual Global Pro Bono Summit and scale this movement around the globe. We are trying to bring about systemic change through encouraging leaders to work pro bono for the common good,” continues Hipp.

Taproot and the BMW Foundation have been co-hosting the Global Pro Summit since 2013. The event is the annual gathering of leaders from across sectors and professions who share the vision of taking on global challenges by connecting the skills and talents of the business community with non-governmental organizations worldwide. This year’s Summit will bring together members of The Global Pro Bono Network, a select group of pro bono providers from around the world, as well as government leaders, foundations and corporations from 27 countries to share best practices and drive the pro bono movement forward. Attendees include representatives from such companies as Adobe, Accenture, Credit Suisse AG, Deloitte and JP Morgan Chase, as well as leaders from Global Pro Bono Network organizations Phomenta, The Good Lobby, Moving Worlds, Proboneo, Work for Social and others.

Network Sponsor of the 2017 Global Pro Bono Summit is the YouChange China Social Entrepreneur Foundation. In kind donors include European Investment Bank Institute, City Hall of Sintra and City Hall of Lisbon.

2017 Global Pro Bono Summit

follow us: #GPBS2017  website: http://www.probonosummit.org/

Participating regions/countries: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States.

About the BMW Foundation

The BMW Foundation brings together leaders from across communities, cultures, and countries to drive Social Innovation, promote Global Dialogue, and encourage Responsible Leadership. We are convinced that our approach breaks down barriers between politics, business, and civil society and allows society to benefit from the creativity and diversity that result from cross-sector collaboration. http://www.bmw-stiftung.de/en/, @bmwfoundation

About Social Entrepreneurs Agency

SEA – Social Entrepreneurs Agency is a multisectoral cooperative created in 2007 by a group of social entrepreneurs. Its corporate purpose is the development and implementation of social entrepreneurship projects that contribute to social, economic, cultural and environmental sustainability, in favor of local and integrated development. http://www.seagency.org/, @SEA_Agency