Reimagining philanthropy: Scaling impact, shaping tomorrow

In an era marked by rapidly evolving social, economic, and environmental challenges, philanthropy is undergoing a profound transformation. Conventional models of giving are being challenged, prompting a need to reimagine philanthropy and scale impact for a better tomorrow.
 
UBS Social Impact Forum Southeast Asia 2024 had some of the brightest minds speaking and participating. They shared their perspectives, catalysed positive impact, drove innovation and inspired collaboration for shared success.
 
The forum provided plenty of opportunities for speakers and guests to connect with peers and explored how to create a more sustainable and equitable future where economic development benefits people, planet and profits.
 
To get the most out from this forum, please refer to the event highlights and replays of each session below.

Event replay

Opening address by Young Jin Yee

Jin Yee Young described our award-winning platform for social impact & philanthropy, which partners with clients to support 370+ programs in 80+ countries and adds our own philanthropic capital to match client donations. We were also excited to share that we intend to merge the UBS and CS Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) into one combined offering.

Keynote address and dialogue with Julia Gillard

Julia opened with a thought-provoking question – “How can we be accountable as philanthropists?” She believes that the current era of social impact's  “focus is on metrics”. Julia is an advocate for impact measurement. Beyond that, Julia believes we need to reach out to the people we seek to serve, in order to co-develop solutions and be held accountable by them.

Paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable future

From making a difference to one child, to engaging the government on systemic change, Philanthropists Dato’ Kathleen, Nanette and Victor shared their personal inspirations in their philanthropic journeys. They discussed interventions such as graduate wages in vocational schools, sports to unite the country and “market-based solutions” to reduce plastics in the environment.

Embracing innovation and leveraging all tools to accelerate impact

In this segment, panelists Bryan, Dhun and Kevin shared some ways to accelerate social impact like scaling through forming partnerships and issuing impact bonds. They also highlighted that nature and climate-change are the current trends in blended finance. Dhun believes that philanthropists play a crucial role in bringing private capital and is the pathway to an impact economy.

Sneak preview to breakout sessions Big bets for impact - from vision to action

What does it take to bring basic healthcare to the most remote communities in Indonesia? Julia Windasari-Tan describes how doctorSHARE’s brought big dreams to reality through a floating hospital barge. How can blended finance support Marine Protected Areas in the Philippines? Hear from Blue Alliance’s youth advocate, Grace Catapang, about the power of blended finance as a tool for change.

UBS philanthropic partners

We make philanthropist contributions go further

For client donations to UBS Optimus Foundation programs, UBS covers all operational costs so that 100% of your donation goes towards the projects on the ground.  We’ll even add additional matched funding to make your donation go further.

If you're interested to explore further, please get in touch with your Client Advisor or our Social Impact and Philanthropy Team at sh-philanthropy-sea@ubs.com

UBS Optimus Foundation philanthropic programs

Cambodia

  • Care for Children
  • Children in Families

Indonesia

  • Blue Forests (Yayasan Hutan Biru)
  • Blue Ventures
  • Canopy Planet Society
  • Clinton Health Access Initiative
  • Common Sea
  • doctorSHARE (Yayasan Dokter Peduli)
  • Forest Carbon
  • Global Mangrove Trust
  • Global School Leaders
  • MiracleFeet
  • Perkins School for the Blind
  • Project HOPE (Yayasan Project Hope)
  • STIR Education
  • Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara
  • Yayasan Literasi Anak Indonesia

Malaysia

  • Transparentem

Philippines

  • Blue Alliance
  • BRAC
  • International Care Ministry

Singapore

  • Asia Higher Education Fund (regional)
  • Care Corner
  • Convergence (regional)
  • Earth Security (regional)
  • Epworth Community Services
  • Home for Good
  • The Salvation Army
  • Tri-sector Associates
  • Waiser

Thailand

  • Baan dek Foundation
  • Justice and Care
  • Safe Child Thailand

Vietnam

  • Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature
  • Operation Smiles Inc
  • The Dariu Foundation
  • World Wide Fund for Nature

Speakers

Event hosts

Edmund KOH

Edmund KOH

Member of the UBS Group Executive Board,
President UBS Asia Pacific of UBS Group AG and UBS AG

Download profile(PDF, 73 KB)


 

YOUNG Jin Yee

YOUNG Jin Yee

Co-Head Global Wealth Management Asia Pacific,
Country Head, UBS Singapore

Download profile(PDF, 85 KB)

Keynote speaker

Julia GILLARD

Julia GILLARD

27th Prime Minister of Australia (2010-2013)
Chair of Wellcome Trust, Beyond Blue, and Inaugural Chair of the Global Institute for Women's Leadership at King’s College, London

Download profile(PDF, 97 KB)

Master of ceremony

Sheryl FOFARIA

Sheryl FOFARIA

Head of Social Impact and Philanthropy,
Southeast Asia, UBS AG

Download profile(PDF, 71 KB)

UBS speakers (in order of appearance)

Patricia QUEK

Patricia QUEK

Business Sector Head, Singapore and Malaysia, UBS Global Wealth Management

Download profile(PDF, 67 KB)

Dhun DAVAR

Dhun DAVAR

Head of Social Finance,
UBS Optimus Foundation and Head of Social Impact and Philanthropy, India and Middle East, UBS AG

Download profile(PDF, 73 KB)

Tom HALL

Tom HALL

Head of Social Impact and Philanthropy,
UBS Group AG

Download profile(PDF, 69 KB)

Laetitia LIENART

Laetitia LIENART

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Programme Director
UBS AG

Download profile(PDF, 66 KB)

Nalini TARAKESHWAR

Nalini TARAKESHWAR

Head of Programmes,
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning,
UBS Optimus Foundation

Download profile(PDF, 81 KB)

External speakers (in order of appearance)

Dato’ Kathleen CHEW Wai Lin

Dato’ Kathleen CHEW Wai Lin

Group Legal Counsel,
YTL Corporation Berhad and Programme Director,
YTL Foundation

Download profile(PDF, 66 KB)

Nanette MEDVED-PO

Nanette MEDVED-PO

Founder and Executive Chairperson
HOPE and PCX Groups

Download profile(PDF, 62 KB)

Victor R. HARTONO

Victor R. HARTONO

COO, PT. Djarum and
President Director, Djarum Foundation

Download profile(PDF, 64 KB)

Bryan GOH

Bryan GOH

CEO, Tsao Family Office

Download profile(PDF, 59 KB)

Kevin TAN

Kevin TAN

Founder and CEO
Tri-Sector Associates

Download profile(PDF, 61 KB)

Julia Windasari TAN

Julia Windasari TAN

Secretary of Board, doctorSHARE

Download profile(PDF, 79 KB)

Mary Grace CATAPANG

Grace CATAPANG

Communication and Science Coordinator,
Blue Alliance Philippines

Download profile(PDF, 64 KB)

Philanthropy reports

Our latest research, news and stories from the Foundation, curated here for you to easily access.

Philanthropy Compass

UBS Philanthropy Compass

Our UBS Philanthropy Compass is inspired by our interactions with families and individuals around the globe who are driven by their passion for making the world a better place. Here, we share what we’ve learned, over the 25+ years we've been walking clients through key questions and considerations. We relay some pitfalls and aim to inspire you to take a more radical approach to your philanthropy through an interactive workbook compass.

ocean and forest

The big blue report

Blue Carbon is getting increased attention globally. Yet this is still an unfamiliar topic for many philanthropists and investors. The report unpacks this complex topic and stresses the key role nonprofits and philanthropy have in supporting the blue carbon ecosystem in Southeast Asia. The report is based on the experience generated from the UBS Climate Collective over the last two years and on the learning emerging from projects in Indonesia.

Good for Business

Good for Business… Business for Good Compass
A practical workbook guide

Maybe you’re wondering how your business might achieve its purpose and maximize its impact. Perhaps you’ve started your journey but got diverted on the way. Or you might be wondering how you can ingrain positive impact in your business for years to come. Whatever your reasons for reading, you’ve come to the right place.

While the compass guides you logically through each step, we know every business is at a different stage on the road to becoming a force for good. So, feel free to read the compass from start to finish, or to peruse the chapters of greatest interest. There’s no wrong way to go.
Ready? Let’s get started.

School kids

Learning for life: A guide to bring quality education to all

Featuring over 30 experts in education and child development, Inside this guide you’ll find concrete tips on how to embrace a holistic approach and will help you consider the part you’ll play in providing inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Picture of Health

Picture of Health: A guide toward better health for all

Picture of Health combines the expertise of more than 25 health experts, philanthropists and changemakers, with UBS´s twenty plus years of experience in advising clients on making an effective impact. Find out how you can make a difference.