Visitors have been visiting this scenic corner of West Virginia since 1778 to "take the waters" at White Sulphur Springs. This week, the philanthropists gathering at the Greenbrier resort also has water on their minds, but not in the therapeutic sense. They're here under the banner of the Wealth & Giving Forum to explore water and its role in the developing world, its power and threat domestically, its role in worldwide conflict, and how philanthropy and social ventures can provide cleaner water for a world that needs it.
A deep and involved line-up of speakers will tackle a range of topics around water at this invitation-only meeting, which allows philanthropic families to discuss issues like clean water in intimate, private setting. Many of the sessions are closed, but I've been granted permission to cover the panel discussions and major presentations over the next three days. Blog posts wil appear next week.
The Wealth & Giving Forum was founded in 2003 to promote greater generosity among individuals and families of significant means and to make more resources available for good causes. Through its semi-annual invitation-only gatherings, regional and topical programs, and publications, the Forum provides a "private meeting ground for individuals and families to reflect with their peers on how best to allocate their wealth."
Among many others, speakers are slated to include:
- Waterkeeper Alliance president Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
- Jean Case, CEO of the Case Foundation
- Paul Schervish, director of the Center of Wealth & Philanthropy at Boston College
- Jeff Flug, CEO of Millennium Promise
- Kenneth Behring, founder of the WaterLeaders Foundation
- Mike Moore, former prime minister of New Zealand and Director-General of the WTO
- Yasmina Zaidman of the Acumen Fund
- John Mroz, president of the East-West Institute
- Munther Haddadin, former minister of water and irrigation, State of Jordan
- Shimon Tal, former water commissioner, State of Israel
- Ray Jetson, CEO of the Louisiana Family Recovery Corps
So check back here beginning next week for updates and reports from the sessions.
[Editor's Note: the Wealth & Giving Forum is a client of Changing Our World, Inc., onPhilanthropy's parent company.]
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