Idealistic, Ostentatious or Indispensable? Examining the Utopian Aims of Philanthropy

Does philanthropy create utopia, and if so for whom? Those receiving, or those giving? Our panel discuss the motivations of philanthropy and its impact, and ask what it really means to make the world a better place.

Lily Lapenna (@LilyLapenna) is founder and Co-CEO of MyBnk. Lily was named Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year for setting up MyBnk which reaches 130,000 young people in the UK with a presence in 7 countries from France to Uganda. MyBnk’s programmes have won awards for excellence from The Centre for Social Justice, The Observer and Nesta. Prior to MyBnk, she worked in social impact and innovation for 7 years across Europe, Africa and Asia. Lily delivers entrepreneurial and leadership consultancy to corporates. Lily is a Young Global Leader with the World Economic Forum, an Ashoka fellow and an Aspen Italian fellow.

William MacAskill (@willmacaskill) is an Associate Professor in Philosophy at Lincoln College, Oxford and author of Doing Good Better. He has cofounded two non-profits: 80,000 Hours, which provides research and advice on how individuals can best make a difference through your career, and Giving What We Can, which encourages people to commit to give at least 10% of their income to the most effective charities. So far, these organisations have raised $500 million in lifetime pledged donations and helped to spark the effective altruism movement. 

Caroline Mason is Chief Executive of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (@esmeefairbairn). Before joining Esmée, Caroline was Chief Operating Officer at Big Society Capital and preceding that, Charity Bank. Caroline was also the co-founder of Investing for Good, a social investment advisory firm and one of the first Community Interest Companies. Before joining the social sector, Caroline had an eighteen-year track record of creative and innovative product development in the financial services sector. 

Thomas Hughes-Hallett is Founder and Chair of the Marshall Institute Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship.

Marshall Institute for Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship at LSE's core aim is to improve the impact and effectiveness of private contributions to the public good.

This event forms part of the LSE Space for Thought Literary Festival 2016, taking place from Monday 22 - Saturday 27 February 2016, with the theme 'Utopias'.

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