UIN Jakarta Philanthropy Activists Attend the World Muslim Philanthropy Meeting
Vatican, UIN News Online – Professor and Philanthropy Activist at UIN Jakarta, Amelia Fauzia, was invited to attend the global philanthropy congress at the Vatican. At this forum, Amelia presented the development of Indonesian Islamic philanthropy and philanthropic activities at the philanthropic institution of UIN Jakarta, Social Trust Fund.
Based on a written release received by BERITA UIN Online, Friday (11/04/2022). The global philanthropy congress entitled “The Faith and Philanthropy Summit” was attended by 145 world interfaith philanthropic activists and was held in Vatican City, Rome-Italy, last Friday-Saturday (10/14-15/2022).
The congress was initiated by John McCaffrey of The Galileo Foundation, the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. According to the topic, the congress was held to build a synergy of religion and philanthropy in accelerating the development of human values.
The congress, which was held for the first time in the history of world philanthropy, was filled with a number of activities. In addition to sharing the philanthropic experiences of activists from various regions, the congress was filled with the launch of the humanitarian funding program The Human Family Fund as an interfaith partnership project in building humanitarian equality across religions.
The launch of the funding program was carried out directly by the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the head of the Vatican City State, Pope Francis. This is done as part of a partnership program between the Vatican Global Compact on Education, the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists and Jewish Funders Network, and the Investment and Banking Company UBS.
In addition, philanthropists also had the opportunity to meet directly with Pope Francis. The leader of the Catholic Church hopes that the congress will inspire interfaith philanthropic partnerships in overcoming the crucial challenges of the global community in the sectors of education, health, and services for humanity.
On that occasion, Amelia Fauzia presented the history and development of Islamic philanthropy in Indonesia. According to Amelia, philanthropy has developed in Indonesian society as a form of social concern for others.
In addition, the state also strongly supports the development of philanthropy in Indonesia. This condition allows the community to have capital in building the social empowerment.
Personally, she explained, her interest in researching and being involved in philanthropic projects in Indonesia has been going on since 2001. Based on UIN News Online record, the evidence of her interest in philanthropy can be seen from her doctoral dissertation research entitled 'Faith and The State: A History of Islamic Philanthropy in Indonesia' which records the development of philanthropy from the Western colonial era to contemporary Indonesia.
This, continued Professor Amelia, encouraged her and a number of academics with the support of the leadership of UIN Jakarta to establish the philanthropic institution Social Trust Fund (STF) of UIN Jakarta. Since its establishment, this philanthropic institution has been moving to collect public donations to be re-distributed into scholarship programs for students, women empowerment, and scholarships for students in former conflict areas.
In addition, STF UIN Jakarta also initiated philanthropic research in various regions in Indonesia with a number of researchers from various countries such as Australian researcher Professor Minako Sakai. Sakai and Amelia conducted research on philanthropy and women's empowerment in Java and Sulawesi.
Finally, Professor Amelia expressed her interest in the world of philanthropy and the implementation of various philanthropic programs through the STF UIN Jakarta which could not be separated from the support from the leadership of UIN Jakarta.
Furthermore, Professor Amelia expressed her appreciation for the invitation given to attend this congress. “It was amazing to meet the leaders of various Muslim philanthropy, to have in-depth discussions with them, and to learn about their work and vision,” said Amelia (zm/usa)