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©Johnny Miller
Who We Are
The Wealth Inequality Initiative is a multi-stakeholder effort led by the Julius Baer Foundation. Its goal is to shed light on and drive action against the global disparities existing in wealth and social capital.
The Initiative connects global independent experts with role models, grant makers and the public. Through their valuable insights and contributions, we strive to awaken interest in the topic of wealth inequality, circulate knowledge linked to the issue, mobilise the stakeholders involved and, ultimately, drive action to shape more equal societies.
Why Do We Have to Act?
Wealth inequality is one of the most pressing challenges of our times. While structural solutions are mostly in the hands of regulators and public authorities, multi-stakeholders’ initiatives, networks and projects that facilitate exchange and social mobility have a key role to play. Only a systemic approach can bring results and drive change.
As the corporate foundation of a private bank, the Julius Baer Foundation has access to a network of privileged people in our society worldwide. This position allows us to act as a facilitator and trigger impactful collaborations across the wealth divide. We want to harness this connection to create more opportunities for the disadvantaged trapped in a situation with no resources to draw on.
Covid-19 proved how a pandemic accelerates all existing inequalities, including the ones of wealth and opportunities. It has become more urgent than ever to act and disrupt the wealth disparities for our societies to flourish. We are convinced that win-win-partnerships linking the underprivileged with the wealthy target both the economic and the social dimension of the problem. In doing so, such collaborations are valuable for all parties involved as they do not merely generate income but rather foster relationships, opportunities and network.
Our Goals
Awaken Interest
By offering rich content speaking to minds and hearts, we provide insights into wealth inequality. The goal is to raise awareness in people unfamiliar with the issue and trigger the debate. We welcome constructive exchanges that can lead to collaboration and foster valuable networks.
Circulate Knowledge
By engaging multiple stakeholders, we enable research and develop intelligence on wealth inequality. Communicating across different channels, we share knowledge and expertise globally to reach all potential actors and interested philanthropists.
Mobilise Stakeholders
By backing our project partners in pursuing their pioneering ideas we strive to make impactful changes in the communities. All Wealth Inequality Initiative projects aim to develop competencies and networks that lead to wealth redistribution, social mobility, and structural changes that break the inequality cycle.
Drive Action
By presenting best cases and valuable experience, we aim to encourage others to push innovative and collaborative projects tackling wealth inequality in their own communities. As an opportunity broker we build bridges between the parties involved by sharing our expertise and network.
A Multi-stakeholder Approach
For over fifty years, the Julius Baer Foundation has been dedicated to making meaningful and impactful contributions to society. In 2017, the Foundation defined Wealth Inequality as its core area, launching the Wealth Inequality Initiative in 2021.
Our mission is to promote the exchange between the privileged and the disadvantaged by acting as a facilitator to shape more equal societies. Our values of having courage, being motivational and sharing knowledge guide us in this quest.
Wealth inequality is a complex challenge, and only a systemic approach can generate sustainable and structural change. For this reason, the Wealth Inequality Initiative was born. It aspires to bring together and leverage the skills and resources of experts and players from different fields.
Be it the intelligence of academia, the entrepreneurial approaches and the technologies in the private sector, the local commitment and activism of other foundations, the social enterprises or the full-hearted contributions of donors and volunteers: we need them all. And we are grateful to the organisations and personalities who have been joining forces with us so far.
The Julius Baer Foundation is based in Zurich and is subject to Swiss law. The Foundation is closely linked to the Julius Baer Group, which provides financial and administrative assistance as well as personnel support. Thanks to this administrative contribution, every donation made to the Foundation is invested in the projects to 100%.
Be Our Co-Funder
We are strong believers that together we can achieve more. We are calling on likeminded foundations, NGOs, international institutions and investors interested in joining forces to fight wealth inequality. Together, we can merge networks, expand expertise and pool a greater wealth of experience to leverage and expedite the impact of all our supported projects. Reach out to us and let us get in touch.
The Three Big Questions
