The Culture of Giving

Attended an interesting symposium/grant making ceremony yesterday, and learned more about a topic which is quite foreign to us Swedes: philanthropy (let's see if I get any comments on this one...!). In Hong Kong, private and corporate giving is a field of study - and a culture - in itself.

Is there a link between a large welfare state and a marginalized culture of giving? If our money disappears in the form of paid taxes instead of through private donations, do we tend to care less about the cause for which it is intended? Perhaps not necessarily, but it is still interesting to reflect on how West European countries could encourage an increased sense of social responsibility on the individual level, while maintaining a net of social security on the societal level.

More on this later. And for now, a link to the organization sponsoring the event: HER Fund Hong Kong - kindly introduced to me by my "boss" Yan-yan Yip of Civic Exchange.