Seminar at the Commonwealth Secretariat Headquarter - London

On February 22nd 2018, the UCL Institute for Global Prosperity (IGP) and the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Gender Section co-organized a closed seminar of Dr Funaki on Gross National Generosity (GNG). The seminar was held at the Commonwealth Secretariat headquarter Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London. Use the link below to read more about the Marlborough House where the Commonwealth Secretariat is located. The Marlborough house has a status of a Palace. 

http://thecommonwealth.org/marlborough-house 

The purpose of the seminar was to exhibit the new vision of GNG as an alternative method for delivering of foreign aid, based on the principles of reciprocity. It was attended by researchers in London, development experts and officials of the Commonwealth Secretariat. The seminar started off with a welcome message from the Commonwealth Secretariat, Head of Gender Section Ms. Amelia Kinahoi-Siamomua who co-chaired the event. Dr. Tuukka Toivonen from IGP also shared a message about the seminar on behalf of Professor Dame Henrietta Moore. 

Dr. Funaki started his presentation by explaining the theoretical perspectives he used and the findings of his PhD research. The conclusion of his research explained the rationale of how the idea of GNG was born as a win-win solution for a better donor-recipient relationship. The main highlight of the seminar was the question and answer session which was conducted in a discussion format. Members of the seminar agreed that using the arguments of GNG as a new concept for global governance towards a new value for society is urgent. Feedback and comments were also exchanged on how to take the GNG idea forward to the international community.

Without the support of the followings individuals, the seminar would not have been a success:

1. Professor Dame Henrietta Moore: Director, Institute for Global Prosperity (IGP), University College London (UCL)

2. Ms. Amelia Kinahoi-Siamomua: Commonwealth Secretariat, Head of Gender Section

3. Dr. Tuukka Toivonen, UCL Institute for Global Prosperity. Strategic Advisor

4. Ms. Hanna Senders, UCL Institute for Global Prosperity. Event Coordinator 

5. Mr. Patrick Vickers, UCL Institute for Global Prosperity. Videos and photos.

6. Ms. Gemma Taylor: Commonwealth Secretariat, Gender Section. Emails for the event.

Pictures below were taken on the day by Mr. Patrick Vickers (UCL Institute for Global Prosperity)

Group picture with some of the participants

Seminar venue at the Commonwealth Secretariat

During the seminar

Dr. Funaki and Dr. Tuukka Toivonen

Deputy High Commissioner of Tonga H.E Sonata Tupou and Dr. Funaki

Dr. Funaki with Dr. Taiamoni Pifeleti, Ms. Amelia Kinahoi-Siamomua (Head of Gender Section, Commonwealth Secretariat) and Mr. Paulo Kautoke (Director, Trade, Oceans and Natural Resources - Commonwealth Secretariat)