Abstract:
In recent years, there is a gathering momentum of the appreciation of philanthropy in developing countries as a major development activity. Indeed the nature of the philanthropy in developing countries is increasingly being recognized as highly relevant to the problem of rural and urban poor. As pointed out in this study, philanthropy dates back tens of centuries and has been en-rooted not only in traditional of giving, but also in the sustainability system of social interdependence of the Kenyan society.
Economic stabilization and structural adjustment came to the fore in 1970s as the answer to severe economic imbalances to developing countries. Measures such as currency devaluation, import cuts, and reduced social spending were introduced. It soon became clear, however that societies, most vulnerable bore the brunt of these changes. This has given momentum to search for more adequate and appropriate strategies for improving the lives of the disadvantaged groups. Perhaps the answer to this would be to turn to philanthropy as a means of achieving social change. Philanthropy, represents an important response to the needs resulted due to the overburdened governments, the hesitant private sector and under utilized people power.
In this given perspectives, an attempt has been made in this study to present an emerging scenario of social justice philanthropy in socio-economic development in developing countries like Kenya, and to see whether the impact of structural adjustment programmes can be used to promote social justice philanthropy.
The study therefore, raises a number of important issues of analytical relevance pertinent to the prospects, constraints, weakness and objectives to future development of social justice philanthropy such as what is meant by private sector participation / involvement in development process and in social justice philanthropy? Do NGOs have a role in this important development processes? How do you conceptualize social justice responsibility? Can the concept of social justice philanthropy be used in bringing social change that has been affected by structural adjustments programmes? How can relationships with stakeholders be formed?
The study is, thus, modest attempt in putting together these vital questions relating to the various aspects of social justice philanthropy, which are politically feasible, socially just and economically viable for minimizing social cost and maximizing distributive justice to the vast majority of the vulnerable sections of our society.
The eradication of poverty demands more than aid to meet basic needs. It demand equity, social justice, human rights, development that is sustainable, and democracy. It is not charity that the poor require, but a transformation of development.