BY JASMIEN KHIN, SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Together with APC members and staff, I recently had the privilege of attending “Catalyzing Change through Purposeful Philanthropy”, an event organised by the Thai Young Philanthropist Network (TYPN) and taejai.com, a crowdfunding platform for social change, and ChangeFusion, an innovation ecosystem builder. The event brought together academics, social innovators, and philanthropists who aim to revive the role of purposeful philanthropy to address social issues in Thailand. APC was there in support of our members who are actively supporting and shaping Thailand’s philanthropic ecosystem.
- Reviving Philanthropy as a Social Movement
Historically, philanthropy as charity in Thailand has been closely tied to Buddhist traditions of merit-making—giving without expecting tangible social outcomes. While this approach is rooted in cultural values, it is limited in creating social change. At the event, however, TYPN and their partners advocated for a shift towards purposeful philanthropy—using philanthropic capital not just for charity, but as a catalyst for broader societal transformation.
This ambition was particularly inspiring to witness, especially coming from a group of young, emerging leaders from high-net-worth families in Thailand whose commitment to advancing philanthropy as a tool for social change is a positive sign for the country’s future.
- An Atmosphere of Collaboration and Insightful Dialogues
The atmosphere at the event was dynamic. The varied backgrounds of attendees—from social impact ecosystem builders like ChangeFusion and Lukkid to think tanks such as the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI)—created a unique space for collaboration and knowledge exchange. This diversity was crucial for fostering new ideas and understanding the challenges that Thailand faces across sectors.
The day’s tone was set by TDRI, whose presentation, “The State of Thailand,” was thought-provoking and insightful. Highlighting Thailand’s economic inequality, rapidly ageing population, and acute climate vulnerabilities, the data painted a stark portrait: the wealthiest 1% of Thailand hold 67% of all assets, there’s a significant net outflow of 900,000 college-educated citizens in 2022, and functional illiteracy rates have risen from 33% to 65.4%. Despite these figures, he underscored the potential of civil society to drive change and called for collective action—a message that echoed throughout the day’s sessions. This was augmented by Laurence’s presentation of APC’s research on The Future of Asian Philanthropy (FOAP) which highlighted different future scenarios and the role of philanthropy
- Tackling Thailand’s Pressing Issues: Climate and Human Capital
The afternoon workshops further delved into two critical issues facing Thailand today: climate resilience and human capital development. Bangkok is one of the fastest-sinking cities globally and prone to floods, so efforts in climate adaptation and building urban resilience are not just a choice but a necessity. Hearing from social enterprises such as Porous City Network who is designing green urban infrastructure for flood resilience and Ricult, satellite-enabled regenerative agriculture, was a great way to see some impactful live solutions in action.
The discussions on human capital were equally compelling as there is a clear need to invest in the human capital of Thailand through education and upskilling the workforce for an equitable and future-ready society. Participants explored creative solutions such as flexible learning for out-of-school youths and Buddy Home Care, a training program for underprivileged youth for elderly care.
- A Path Forward for Strategic Philanthropy
Reflecting on the event, it is clear that “Catalyzing Change through Purposeful Philanthropy” was not just about discussing problems but about envisioning the future together. The exchange of ideas between TDRI, APC, TYPN, social entrepreneurs and NGOs highlighted the potential of civil society in tackling Thailand’s challenges. It was a reminder that while the problems may be complex, the collaborative spirit of civil society, philanthropists, and social enterprises can drive meaningful change.
As we continue to engage with TYPN and other partners, there is an opportunity for APC to play a more active role in building this philanthropic movement. By supporting and collaborating with these young leaders and social innovators, we can help ensure that their vision for a more equitable and sustainable Thailand becomes a reality. It is a journey that will require persistence and innovation, but the energy and passion at this event left me hopeful for what lies ahead.
By Jasmine Khin,
30 October 2024