In the spring, Russia is waiting for a major and very significant event: the awarding of the nominees of the International Prize "Philanthropist-2014". For the eighth time, the award will be given to disabled people who have overcome their illness and have achieved great success in various fields. This award brought together artists, doctors, officials, entrepreneurs who are trying to help people with disabilities. Different people of Russia united under the sign of this project to help talented disabled people to boldly step into the future.
Russian philanthropist - who is this?
Unfortunately, today not everyone remembers the meaning of this term. Dictionaries explain that a philanthropist is a person who gives part of his earnings or part of his fortune to those who cannot provide for themselves on their own. The most ancient form of philanthropy was the alms given by believers to beggars who begged near monasteries or temples. Today, charity is not limited to almsgiving: the concept has become much broader. Modern philanthropist - who is it? This is a person who is able to support those who need it with his actions or deeds. Unfortunately, in the international list of benefactors-oligarchs, Russia occupies127th out of 145. The ubiquitous statisticians found that every year the 15 we althiest Russians donate as much to charity as Bill and Miranda Gates. Only the CEO of Norilsk Nickel, V. Potanin, adheres to the oath that Gates and Buffett once took. He promised (and so far keeps his promise) to give more than half of his we alth to good deeds. Fortunately, Potanin is not the only one who supports those in need.
The most famous Russian philanthropists
So what is a philanthropist? Every person today understands the meaning of the word in his own way. So, for example, R. Abramovich spends his fortune on maintaining a football team, considering it philanthropy. Suleiman Kerimov donates funds for operations to seriously ill children. Sometimes he supports schools. Viktor Vekselberg donates a share of his fortune to return Russia's cultural treasures. Each of them and other we althy people independently decides what or whom he will support. I. Prokhorova, the wife of a well-known oligarch, complained that some provide assistance only when they are persistently asked for it by V. Putin or the Government. What else is meant by the term "philanthropist"? The meaning of the word is opposed to the concept of "misanthrope" and implies a disinterested concern for improving the life of mankind as a whole, selfless philanthropy in the broadest sense. For example, V. Yevtushenkov, a well-known philanthropist in our country, has been doing charity work in several areas for a very long time.
Vladimir Yevtushenkov and his contribution to charity
B. Yevtushenkov is perhaps the most famous philanthropist in Russia. Who is it? This is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of AFK Sistema. He created his own foundation that provides support to science and education, sports. The Foundation tries to preserve the country's cultural heritage and improve social life. Employees of the Foundation also understand the term "philanthropist" in their own way. The meaning of the word for them is not limited to financial donations, although the fund annually transfers a million rubles to the Russian Museum alone. Employees support young scientists and athletes in every possible way, creating conditions for the development of talent, helping them to advance and become famous. It was V. Yevtushenkov and his Foundation who helped open several virtual branches of the Russian Museum in the country. One of the associates of V. Yevtushenkov was asked: “Philanthropist - who is this?” He gave a wise and unequivocal answer. According to his definition, a philanthropist is a person who wants to improve the existence of others.
What are other Russian philanthropists doing?
The media annually make up the top Russian entrepreneurs who donate significant amounts to charity. Rating, unlike dictionaries, does not help to understand what “philanthropist” means, but clearly shows the amount of charity. The last two or three years it was headed by R. Abramovich. Of his fortune ($12.5 billion), he spent $310 million on charity. Alisher Usmanov, the founder of USM Holdings, is not far behind him. He is onlyhalf a billion dollars "poorer" than Abramovich, but this did not prevent him from spending 247 million on supporting sports, art and science. Interestingly, there are many dark moments in the patron's past: he was sentenced to 8 years, but later released ahead of schedule. The case was recognized as fabricated.
A. Mordashov, General Director of CJSC Severgroup, is a few lines lower in the rating. Over the past three years, he has donated 103 million out of 9.5 billion. The fifty-eight-year-old vice-president of Lukoil and the owner of Spartak, having a “small” fortune of 5.2 billion, spent 31 million for the benefit of society. In total, the list includes 15 philanthropic entrepreneurs.
Giving Pledge
So what is a philanthropist? A person who considers charity a call of the soul or an obligation? Different people answer this question differently. Americans, accustomed to making a show out of everything, came up with the “Giving Pledge”. This is how Bill Gates and Warren Buffett named their philanthropic campaign, which started in 2010. The movement, according to its founders, is designed to inspire all we althy and important people on the planet to give away most of their we alth in favor of those in need. By early 2013, 105 of the world's richest families supported the movement, with a minimum expected donation of $125 billion.
It is interesting that the same Russian V. Yevtushenkov and many of his associates do not take any oaths and promises, but annually provide tangible assistance to science, sports, spend money on solving social problems. Perabroad, not everyone supports the Giving Pledge either. So, the former socialite, financial genius, philanthropist Liliane Betancourt refused to join the movement, leaving her decision without comment. At the same time, it has its own Fund with a capital of about 150 million €, half of which goes annually to support scientific research and education.
Female Philanthropists
Liliane Betancourt is not alone. There are many women who are called the understandable word "philanthropist". Who is it? Here are the most famous, those who top the list of the richest ladies in the world.
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what does philanthropist mean Iris Fontbona is perhaps the most humble philanthropist in the world. Who is it? Widow of a Hispanic multi-billionaire. Donating huge amounts of money to charity, she often remains anonymous. Only once did she flash on the air of the Chilean 27-hour marathon, during which they raised money for children with serious and incurable diseases. Taking the stage for just a second, Iris announced that she was giving away $3 million.
- Jacqueline Mars, a woman who knows exactly what a philanthropist is. Her circle of support includes talented students, a society of doctors, an opera, a sports library, etc. The foundation created by Jacqueline transferred more than 10 million dollars to the needs of these people and organizations.
- Gina Rinehart. The “ore queen” of Australia was accused by journalists of greed. However, it turned out that she regularly supports organizations fighting for women's rights, but does so incognito.
Philanthropy: pros and cons
Philanthropy,like any social phenomenon, the concept is ambiguous. There is no doubt that charitable foundations around the world use their gigantic power to develop science and he althcare, culture and education.
Social assistance programs, which were founded by Carnegie and Rockefeller, have brought enormous benefits. Thanks to these programs, a prosperous existence has been recognized as a basic human right. The philanthropic movement has helped save many lives and provided invaluable assistance to many social areas.
But not everything is so simple. In the United States, the work of foundations was not much different from the policy of the state, whose main goal is considered to be "general welfare." By constantly helping the poor, politicians and philanthropists have changed the situation so that several generations of people have grown up in the United States, who have become virtually dependents. Accustomed to charitable assistance, they do not want to work. These people lost their independence, became dependent on constant social assistance. Many of them do not want to work, unable to change their situation on their own.
This kind of charity also had a negative impact on migrants. They simultaneously received social and educational assistance. Educational programs eventually led to the erosion of ethnic values, the loss of the national identity of national minorities. Nevertheless, it is social charitable programs that are able to solve problems and problems for which the state does not have enough money and time. And this is the main strength and benefit of philanthropy. However, the participants of suchmovements are called philanthropists, that is, people who give part of what they have acquired to those who need help.
