Credit Suisse (Gibraltar) Limited and the Bonita Trust of Gibraltar are proud to announce the launch of their jointly funded project “Future Leaders in Philanthropy” (FLIP).
Aimed at local students aged sixteen and over, FLIP is a 3-year project which has been established to raise awareness and understanding of social responsibility amongst this age group. The project will also seek to educate teenagers about the value and societal benefits of philanthropic gift-giving, as well as teach them how to manage their own charitable funds.
Highlights of the project will include management of a £5 million virtual philanthropic investment portfolio and a charity fund-raising project, through which the participants will get a real insight into charities and the way they work.
The selected students will be required to undertake various assignments of a charitable and financial nature over the course of the 3 years, for which they will receive financial rewards and gifts. Participants will also be able to select a charity of their choice to receive donations and for whom they will complete a fundraising project.
Speaking on behalf of the Bonita Trust, International Advisory Board member, Ruth Parasol-DeLeon commented, “We are delighted to launch the FLIP project with Credit Suisse because today’s students are tomorrow’s philanthropists; FLIP will give them early insight into grant-giving and philanthropic investment decisions affecting the lives of many people”.
Trino Cruz from Credit Suisse remarked, “Credit Suisse, as a leading banking institution, has always been at the forefront of philanthropic and educational activities and was keen to partner with the Bonita Trust on this worthwhile project with a local community focus. We have a team of employees on board, who will act as financial mentors for the participants, guiding them through the wealth of investment vehicles for their virtual portfolios and we are all very excited about the FLIP project.”
FLIP is supported by the Department of Education and Training and all current year 12 students from any Gibraltar-based school / college, who have achieved at least 5 A’s at GCSE are invited to attend the launch and apply for the opportunity to take part in the FLIP project. Twenty applicants will be selected to participate in the scheme.
Headteachers and the Director of Education, speaking after discussions with the Gibraltar Ministry for Education, said this is an exciting project for their pupils, and participation in it would not only help them personally, but would also enhance their future university and career applications.
The FLIP project will be managed by Ms Ros Astengo who will be the students first port of call for any queries.