In the run up to WINGSForum 2017, we will be publishing interviews with some of our esteemed speakers. For this interview we spoke to Charles Keidan, Editor of Alliance Magazine.

WINGS: Tell us a little about yourself, your work related to philanthropy infrastructure and your interest in attending WINGSForum 2017?

C.K.: WINGS supports the meta-infrastructure of the entire foundation world. When I think of WINGS I think of the deep and intricate wiring that connects a whole sector, helps it improve, and creates space for practitioners to learn from one another.

WINGS: What might ‘Critical Philanthropy: Addressing Complexity, Challenging Ourselves’ mean to you and to Alliance Magazine?

C.K.: To me, the meaning of the term ‘critical philanthropy’ is double edged and suggests a healthy degree of self-criticism. On one hand, philanthropy is a critical to addressing social problems, challenging orthodoxies and providing a space for diverse perspectives. On the other, we can and should be critical of philanthropy when it falls short of its promise or doesn’t make the best use of its power.

WINGS: What is your involvement in the conference and what issue(s) are you most looking forward to addressing at WINGSForum2017?

C,K.: Meeting philanthropy practitioners of all shapes and sizes is one of the things I’m most looking forward to. While we come from all over the world, I know I will be meeting people who all talk the same language.

Alliance will be writing up a report of the gathering, conducting interviews and running blogs from participants.

WINGS: Why do you think infrastructure and this global gathering are important for the development of the sector?

C.K.: It is easy to under-estimate the importance of creating a space for people to come together, share their excitement and challenges and learn from another. This gathering is particularly special as WINGS only happens once every three years.