UNU-IIGH in collaboration with the Collective for the Political Determinants of Health presents: "Examining Wealth, Power, and Accountability in Philanthropy"
Join us for a 90-minute webinar that explores the critical forces shaping philanthropic practice today.
We will reveal key findings from our recent research paper [https://doi.org/10.37941/RR/2025/17] which raises strategic questions for the future of philanthropy. We will discuss and examine the rise of philanthrocapitalism, its deep connections to wealth accumulation and power, and the governance systems that allow these dynamics to persist. We will also do a historical overview traces the evolution of philanthropy, questioning what has traditionally been counted as philanthropy and providing essential context for current debates.
Don’t miss this important conversation on power and accountability in philanthropy.
Event details:
📅 Date: Friday, 3 October 2025
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM MYT | 09:00 AM UTC
The Panelists
Vyoma Dhar Sharma (Centre for Global Sustainability, University of Oslo)
Vyoma’s work centers on the politics of global health, focusing on how philanthropy, racial capitalism, and governance shape equity and accountability. It uses interdisciplinary methods to analyze the power of private actors relative to states and multilateral organizations. She holds a DPhil in International Development, with field experience in India, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Lancet Commission on Racism and Structural Discrimination in Global Health. The work has been published in prominent academic and public platforms.
Adam Moe Fejerskov (Danish Institute for International Studies)
Adam studies contemporary global inequalities across technology, science, humanitarianism, and development, focusing on how global and local politics are shaped by visions of progress and the future. He is the author of multiple books, including Good Will Corrupting (2025, MIT Press) and The Global Lab (2022, Oxford UP). Adam serves as Editor-in-Chief of Progress in Development Studies and the Danish journal Samfundsøkonomen, and holds roles in several development policy and research councils.
Tobias Jung (University of St Andrews, Centre for the Study of Philanthropy & Public Good)
Tobias is the director and founder of Scotland’s first research centre dedicated to philanthropy studies, the Centre for the Study of Philanthropy & Public Good at the University of St Andrews. His research explores diverse philanthropy traditions, especially community philanthropy, and the roles of foundations and trusts. He co-edits major philanthropy publications, leads the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), and serves as a trustee for Foundation Scotland. Tobias has held previous research and leadership roles in London and internationally, including visiting professorships and editorial duties.
Marta Rey García (University of A Coruña)
Marta is Full Professor of Management at the University of A Coruña (UDC), Spain. Her research focuses on civil society organizations, nonprofits and philanthropy, particularly comparative studies on foundations. Her work on this topic has appeared in journals such as Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, American Behavioral Scientist, Nonprofit Management & Leadership, Voluntas, Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis or The Foundation Review; and books such as the Handbook on Corporate Foundations. Corporate and Civil Society Perspectives. She has served as founding board member of the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), member of the ESSEC Philanthropy Chair’s Scientific Committee, member of the Canadian Philanthropy Partnership Research Network (PhiLab) and member of the Advisory Counsel of the Spanish Association of Foundations.
