Funding for Refugees? Raising Those Funds is Part of Giovanna's Job

Her desire to work for the United Nations started when she was just 14 years old, and today that dream has become a reality. In fact, Giovanna Li Perni, who graduated from Bocconi in 1995 with a degree in Economics and Finance, has been in charge of private philanthropy with a focus on large donors since 2014, working for the UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. When her daughter was born 11 years ago, she preferred office work as compared to the in-the-field work of which she had previously been a protagonist: in 1997 she worked as an aid worker in Sarajevo, helping to create an all-female cooperative which could restore professional dignity to women who had fled Srebrenica.

In 2001 she took part in a rural development program in Zambia with FOCSIV (Federazione Organismi Cristiani di Servizio Internazionale Volontario – Federation of Christian Bodies for International Volunteer Service) which was part of the ecclesial plan to cancel the debt of poor countries. After that she became involved in a European Union initiative to oppose violence against women in Russia. "I began working in fundraising with UNICEF, an area which I continue to handle for UNHCR, as well. Initially it was difficult to accept the passage from working in-the-field to working in an office. But it didn't take long for me to understand that the technical experience I'd gained in the field could still be useful, especially when I need to gain the trust of people who are listening to me as I talk about our projects. In fact, I am able to convey a sense of authority because I know the situations I'm talking about very well". Today, the refugee issue is rather controversial because, as Giovanna Li Perni explains, it can bring up political prejudices. However her job includes helping others understand how UNHCR represents the first assistance which refugees encounter when they first flee their countries. "We handle the registration of political asylum requests; registering their names helps restore these people with a sense of ownership about their rights". In some cases, donors contact Giovanna Li Perni directly to say how much money they want to donate, and what kind of projects they're interested in supporting; other times her job is to inspire philanthropists about new initiatives. "Right now, for example, I am involved in raising funds to support a training program for Syrian refugee women in Jordan who are exposed to the enormous risk of prostitution. We are providing professional training so that these mothers can start a group company, gain economic independence, and thus guarantee their children's survival".