Private Philanthropy and Education in the Global South

This seminal volume offers a systematic analysis of the factors, rationales, and evolving forms of private philanthropic engagement in education from countries across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Providing a critical and nuanced examination into the dynamics of private philanthropy’s role in education, the volume features a diverse range of case studies from Lebanon, Malaysia, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina, furthering debate at the intersection between philanthropy and education policy. Chapters showcase a variety of methodologies such as network analysis to explore philanthropic foundations such as the Lemann Foundation in Brazil, Grupo Luksic in Chile, and Fundación Perez Companc in Argentina, as well as European philanthropic foundations active in sub-Saharan Africa, providing a novel, more regionally focused perspective on education and philanthropy. Other chapters employ a variety of research methods to explore how these non-state actors promote what are thought to be politically and economically expedient policies. Documentary analysis of archival sources, interviews, institutional theory, Resource Dependence Theory, Bourdieusian theoretical frameworks, and critical policy analysis also feature in the book.

Offering insights and direction for future research in the field, this volume will be of interest to scholars, researchers and postgraduate students in international and comparative education and education policy. Policy makers as well as regional and international organizations, including NGOs and INGOs, that support educational interventions in the Global South will also find the volume of use.

Natasha Ridge is the founding Executive Director, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, UAE.

Rui da Silva is the Deputy Director, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, UAE, and Visiting Research Fellow, School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex, UK.

Aiganym Khamitkhanova is Research Assistant, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, UAE.