Our own Daniel Lee, Executive Director of the Levi Strauss Foundation, is headed to Australia in September for the Philanthropy Meets Parliament Summit, which will examine what the global political environment means for philanthropy and its relationship with governments and the sector’s role as a catalyst for social change.
“I believe advocacy aims to create social change at the systemic level by changing laws and policies or how they are applied,” Daniel recently told Philanthropy Australia. “It encompasses a wide range of activities: educating the public and the media about an issue and its impact on communities, encouraging voter participation, holding government agencies accountable, providing evidence to change ignorant or discriminatory laws and policies.”
The Australian government has invited Daniel to speak about the work of the Levi Strauss Foundation – especially how LSF is responding to the current environment and the important role policy advocacy plays in addressing the issues and events of our time.
“The philanthropic sector is independent and nimble. It is ideally positioned to address pressing trends and urgent issues,” Daniel said. “At its best, it is strategic, courageous and highly responsive to the events of the day. The Levi Strauss Foundation believes this is a critical moment to take a stand for an inclusive America.”
Read the full Q&A session with Daniel and Philanthropy Australia here.
