The mysterious art and science of doing good

Private actions for public benefit - philanthropy, charity, voluntary action or social entrepreneurship - have long been at the core of societies, religions and human activity. Fuelled by increasing frustration at the perceived inability of governments, markets and NGOs to solve social and environmental problems, this arena of private action for public benefit is currently experiencing both resurgence and disruption.

New ideologies of doing good stress the importance of maximising the social impact of our altruism and seeking long-term solutions to social problems. Innovative mechanisms of financing and organisation mix business practice with philanthropy and charity, stretching from impact investing and venture philanthropy to the social enterprise and the purpose-driven corporation.

These new institutions and approaches to private action for public benefit open valuable new windows for achieving social change. But they also create tensions, puzzles and discomfort.

In this lecture, Jonathan Roberts, Professor (Education) in Civil Society and Public Policy at the LSE Marshall Institute, will exploreT how we can navigate this complex and dynamic new world of doing good.

 

Speakers

  • Jonathan Roberts
    Professor (Education) in Civil Society and Public Policy at the LSE Marshall Institute
  • Julian Le Grand
    Professor, LSE Former senior policy advisor to the Prime Minister

Notes

This lecture is taking place in London at LSE hosted by the LSE Marshall Institute. You can register here to watch a livestream or search for a recording on the LSE YouTube channel here after the event.