"A signal of shared responsibility": Welthungerhilfe: "World 3.0" - a new initiative for philanthropists

(06.08.2010) Coinciding with the donation initiative by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, Welthungerhilfe is today unveiling its "World 3.0 - Global Philanthropists for Welthungerhilfe" pilot project. According to the organisation, there is however currently still a relatively low level of commitment on the part of big philanthropic donors in Germany compared to the USA. In Germany it still not the case that donations are made, and philanthropic activities highlighted in the media, as a matter of course, as they are in the USA. At the same time however, enough wealth, and also enough philanthropic intent, is available.

"Welthungerhilfe has its roots across all sections of German society. That's why we know from our experience with many large donors that  rich people are better than they are given credit for", says Martina Dase, Welthungerhilfe's Executive Director of Marketing. "We want to use our pilot project to give a decisive renewed boost to the culture of philanthropy, or in other words humanitarianism, in Germany, and also to acquire a network of generous donors who are prepared to provide exemplary support to an outstanding programme undertaking: our 'Millennium Villages'. We want to use it to make a contribution to reconciling the worlds of the poor and the rich, which are drifting apart."

"World 3.0 – Global Philanthropists for Welthungerhilfe" will provide a range of different opportunities: from fireside chats to innovative opportunities for making donations for Welthungerhilfe's Millennium Villages, which are making a concrete contribution to humanity's no.1 project – the overcoming of hunger and poverty.

Martina Dase adds: "Many large German donors and sponsors prefer to operate behind the scenes and want to remain anonymous. This means that society is short of role models and success stories for motivating others to follow in their footsteps. This is where we want start things rolling".