How can governments make sure non-profit organizations in Europe aren’t being used a front for financing terrorism? This was the subject of the EU Directorate General of Home Affairs’ third meeting on non-profit sector transparency and accountability. Having co-authored a book on accountability in the non-profit sector, I was happy to be asked to share my views. Read more

Ciudad Juarez has become one of the most violent places in the world over the past one and a half years. There were 2600 homicides in 2009 and 1086 people have died already this year, mostly due to drugs related street violence. The Mexican army has taken up permanent residence in the city. One can only imagine what effects this has on the most vulnerable members of society in Ciudad Juarez, the children. At least 900 children have died in the past 3 years. Over 10,000 have lost parents. Read more

Last week to a packed audience in Brussels at the European Foundation Week (blog), I had an opportunity to share some thoughts with a hundred or so other foundations on evaluation. Read more

Lisa Jordan, Executive Director, writes: "Roma children are three times more likely to die before the age of five than other European children. One million Roma children never go to school, another million Roma children are relegated to schools for children with special needs." Read more

"On October 18 2009, Rio de Janeiro drug traffickers shot down a police helicopter during a gun battle between rival gangs in the favela Morro dos Macaco..." In a new message Lisa Jordan, the foundation's executive director, introduces the foundation's new goals and other important changes. Read more

"Last week, to mark 60 years of the Bernard van Leer Foundation, we held two very special events in The Hague...": Lisa Jordan, the foundation's executive director, reflects on outreach to corporate leaders, the inaugural Oscar van Leer Fellowships for journalists, and the arrival of Sinterklaas in The Netherlands. Read more

Lisa Jordan writes: “There couldn’t be a more challenging time to begin to lead a privately endowed foundation than in the midst of a global financial crisis. But challenges also imply opportunities. Three months after taking over as the Executive Director of the Bernard van Leer Foundation, I would like to take a moment to share with you what I have learned so far, and how the foundation intends to carry forward its work. Read more