The delicate cherry blossoms were swaying daintily on a chilly March afternoon in Washington. We had just finished some important meetings and were taking a recess, meandering along Independence Avenue. The promenade was picturesque, dotted with lots of beautiful museums and green spaces. Along the way, we chanced upon an imposing Norman-style castle adorned by magnolia trees, and its nostalgic aura was enough to lure us inside. We soon learned that this was the Smithsonian Institution Building, the headquarters managing 19 world-class museums, galleries and cultural and research centers that focus on science, the arts and humanities. Together, they attract more than 30 million visitors annually.
What most piqued my curiosity was the story of its founding donor, British scientist James Smithson, who surprisingly never even set foot on US soil. A graduate of the University of Oxford and an accomplished chemist and mineralogist, one of Smithson’s lifelong wishes was to promote knowledge, which he believed allowed people to “see a lot where others see nothing.” He, therefore, instructed that his entire estate be donated to establishing the Smithsonian Institution, dedicated solely “for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” The Smithsonian was established in 1846 thanks to the staggering donation of $508,318.46 (which equaled 1.5 percent of the total US federal budget at that time).
This revelation moved me deeply. It made me realize how every individual has a civic and humane duty to make the world a better place. The responsibility for contributing to the advancement of societies, whether through investment in schools, museums, hospitals, research centers or green spaces, should not rest on just the public sector. Rather, we should spread this principle of civic engagement and philanthropy to everyone, from businesses to charities and donors. Everyone can dutifully contribute to creating the beautiful visions we dream of our societies becoming.
As countless luminaries have discovered, the joy of giving far surpasses that of taking. British politician Winston Churchill once said: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Indeed, life thrives on us giving the best of ourselves, our ideas, our creative solutions, and contributions. It is only in this collective giving that our communities can thrive.
Rightfully, a lot of corporations are engaging in philanthropy and finding that they can be successful and still be socially responsible. In a global survey polling 30,000 consumers in 60 countries, research by Nielsen finds that consumers are willing to pay more for products or services from businesses that engage in positive social and environmental projects. Regionally, 63 percent of Middle Eastern consumers were willing to do so. In addition, it was found that employees prefer to work with corporations that are socially responsible.
Every individual has a civic and humane duty to make the world a better place
Sara Al-Mulla
Many stellar corporations have long been engaging in philanthropy and are really creative with their projects. One fantastic example is that of the Walt Disney Company. In 2018, Disney pledged $100 million and dedicated a team of employees to redesign children’s hospitals so that they are more child-friendly, adding joyful doses of distinctly Disney experiences and ensuring that hospital stays are less stressful for patients and their families. Not only that, but Disney also grants more than 10,000 wishes each year to seriously ill children from around the world, in the form of experiencing Disney theme parks and resorts, attending film premieres, and meeting iconic Disney characters. It also offers scholarships and mentorship programs to youths in the fields of robotics, coding and storytelling. Furthermore, the Disney Conservation Fund has dedicated more than $75 million since its inception in 1995 to saving wildlife and protecting the planet. It’s no wonder they are on Fortune’s top-10 list of the world’s most admired companies.
Natura is a cosmetics company based in Brazil that has a noble mission of creating an environmentally sustainable business. The ingredients used to concoct and develop its myriad cosmetics, hygiene and beauty products are derived from the unique biodiversity in Brazil. Natura works with local farmers to harvest the ingredients and generate revenue for 8,500 natives that live in the Amazon rainforest. It is a proud supporter of forest conservation, waste reduction, climate protection, and other environmental causes.
Philanthropists also play pivotal roles in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our world today. Bill Gates is probably the first who comes to mind. In 2000, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was founded to “improve the quality of life for individuals around the world,” and has since donated more than $50 billion to various causes. Its Global Libraries program is a partnership with governments and public and private donors that aims to upgrade public libraries with technologies, foster innovation, train librarians, and advocate for policies that support public libraries. This program alone has improved the lives of more than 280 million people worldwide. The foundation also has the goal of significantly increasing access for low-income students by investing in improving schools’ infrastructure, curriculum development, teacher training, student internships, and equipping schools with data-driven dashboards so that management is able to identify and resolve problems using evidence-based interventions.
Businesses and philanthropists can channel their creative energies and wealth toward addressing some of the global challenges we face today. It is an opportunity to leave a transcendent and memorable mark on our world.
• Sara Al-Mulla is an Emirati civil servant with an interest in human development policy and children’s literature.