Maria Petkova, Director of Tulip Foundation attended the conference with the support of the Bulgarian Donor’s Forum.

The opening plenary of the European Foundation Centre’s (EFC) 23rd Annual General Assembly and Conference “Peace through Social Justice – A Role for Foundations?” took place in the Assembly hall of the Assembly building. The musical group, “Different Drums” – made up of musicians from the two main communities in Northern Ireland – welcomed the participants. John R. Healy, Centre for Nonprofit Management, Trinity College Dublin and Avila Kilmurray of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland (CFNI) were the first speakers.

“Philanthropy in Times of Financial Crisis” plenary raised questions about how are foundations responding to the challenges. Astrid Bonfield of The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, Piero Gastaldo of the Compagnia di San Paolo and Jeff Raikes of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation shared their views in a conversation with Fiona Ellis, an independent consultant to the philanthropy sector.

Justice Albie Sachs of the Constitutional Court of South Africa delivered an inspirational speech at the closing plenary “Give What You Got To Give”.

During the three days a number of sessions on various issues around capacity building, current issues for foundations and peace through social justice were organised. Various satellite events were organised as well. The exhibition centre provided open space for materials, publications and interesting contacts.

More information about the event is available here.