“The present is not a potential past; it is the moment of choice and action.”
Simone de Beauvoir
Education and solidarity lie at the heart of Europe’s spirit. They shape our democracies, sustain our freedoms, and remind us that knowledge must always serve understanding. To engage as a citizen is to learn, to question, and to act with a sense of shared responsibility. By nurturing curiosity and dialogue, we strengthen not only our institutions, but the very idea of Europe itself.
Now more than ever, these universal virtues hold profound significance. This year’s Philanthropy Letter is devoted to exploring how education and engaged citizenship serve as a powerful catalyst for empowerment – particularly in uncertain times. Our keynote contributor, Jean-Nicolas Beuze, UNHCR Representative in Brussels for EU Affairs in Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, and the Netherlands, shares insights from his extensive firsthand experience supporting vulnerable communities across Europe and the world. In this interview, he reflects on the role that dialogue and civic engagement play in fostering resilience and shared responsibility amongst peoples.
Further upstream, the founders of the Fondation Pierre Werner, under our aegis, continue to invest in Europe’s future thinkers through the Pierre Werner Scholarships. By honouring their father’s esteemed legacy as a former Prime Minister of Luxembourg and deeply committed European, they empower outstanding doctoral students who explore some of the most pressing issues in Europe. In these pages, we highlight the work of two 2025 laureates and share reflections from Marie-Anne Werner on the foundation that bears her father’s name.
Investing in the next generation extends far beyond the classroom. For many, safeguarding the planet for future generations is just as vital – a commitment increasingly shared by responsible businesses. In this spirit, four corporate donors to the Fondation pour le Climat, operating under our aegis, reflect on their motivations for supporting this essential cause.
In an era defined by complexity and interconnection, education remains our best antidote to misinformation and apathy. As our keynote contributor reminds us, complacency and complicity are no longer an option.
Wishing you a pleasant reading,
Tonika Hirdman
2 How humanitarian aid is adapting under pressure with Jean-Nicolas Beuze, UNHCR Representative
4 Supporting the next generation of European thinkers via the Pierre Werner Scholarship
6 Creating your own foundation with the Fondation de Luxembourg
8 Corporate donors to the Fondation pour le Climat share their motivations
Doing More With Less: How Humanitarian Aid Adapts Under Pressure
An interview with UNHCR Representative Jean-Nicolas Beuze.
Jean-Nicolas Beuze
Jean-Nicolas Beuze has over 25 years of experience with the United Nations. He is currently UNHCR Representative in Brussels for EU Affairs, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Previously, he served as UNHCR Representative in Iraq, Yemen, and Canada, and as Deputy Representative in Lebanon during the Syrian refugee crisis. His career also includes roles at other UN agencies, such as the OHCHR, UNAMA, and UNICEF. He holds an LL.M. from the University of Essex and a master’s degree from the Graduate Institute in Geneva.
What are the biggest challenges facing refugees and displaced people right now?
In a world marked by protracted conflicts, failed diplomacy, and widespread human rights violations, millions of people are forced to flee violence and persecution. Most dream of returning home one day; some know they never will. Their priority is simple and universal: to build a dignified life in exile – for their children to go
to school, for their parents to receive care, and for their families to live safely, with a roof over their heads and food on their plates. While debates in Western countries often focus on whether to keep borders open, the reality is that more than three quarters of refugees and displaced people are hosted in the Global South, often by communities facing hardship themselves. Today, humanitarian actors are struggling to sustain this support amid shrinking resources and wavering political commitment.
Is there a particular moment in your career that has stayed with you?
Countless faces come to mind: Yazidi survivors of unspeakable sexual violence gathering in Iraqi Kurdistan to mend what was broken; Yemeni families displaced by a brutal conflict shaping mud into fragile shelters under a merciless sun; Syrian mothers in Lebanon explaining why they would trust the sea – on unsteady boats – with their children’s futures; Rohingya children finding their voice on a stage, carrying their stories all the way to Canada where they have been resettled; Congolese people displaced by conflict with disabilities yet raising chickens to reclaim a livelihood; families in Luxembourg waiting, day after day, for a decision on their asylum claim that will define their future. Each encounter is a quiet reminder of our shared humanity, and of the resilience that persists even in the harshest conditions. Yet for every life that manages to move forward, another remains suspended – without immediate or easy answers. It is these unfinished stories, heavy with silence, that stay with me the longest.
With the dismantling of USAID in 2025 and recent reductions of contributions by other states, it has been a very challenging period for the sector. How has the UNHCR adapted to this instability?
Adapting to fast-evolving situations is part of our DNA as humanitarian workers; we are accustomed to responding to emergencies within days. But the sudden and massive reduction in the resources that allow us to respond has challenged us in entirely new ways. In practical terms, this means that for every two refugee families we once supported, only one can now be helped. We are forced to make impossible choices: deciding who must be prioritized, knowing that many others are equally in need. Every decision is painful one, and carries consequences.
Nobody chooses to be a refugee, but you can choose whether to help refugees. We must indeed continue to choose not only to help refugees but also to listen to them and to empower them so they can cease to be refugees.
Filippo Grandi, Former UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Beyond funding reductions, the number and severity of humanitarian crises continue to increase. How can humanitarian aid remain effective when resources are increasingly overstretched?
Over the years, the humanitarian sector has learned how to make better use of scarce resources. The UN Refugee Agency, in particular, has led what I would call the cash revolution. Rather than placing refugees in costly camps – which require UNHCR and its partners to build schools, clinics, latrines, shelters, and other infrastructure, while also segregating refugees from host communities and limiting their ability to contribute economically, culturally, and socially – UNHCR has advanced an out-of-camp policy. As a result, most refugees today live in urban settings, rent accommodation, and purchase food, clothing, and other necessities from local shops, supporting local economic activity. By providing refugees with cash assistance, UNHCR enables them to meet their own needs, restoring dignity by allowing people to make choices for themselves rather than passively receiving aid. This is a very cost-effective way for us to assist people as it reduces transportation, warehousing, distribution costs in particular, and allow that 97% of the
funding provided to us for our cash program to end up in the pocket of those who need it.
As Europe grapples with political polarization, inequality, and demographic change, what role can philanthropy play in strengthening social cohesion across the continent?
Philanthropy can make a meaningful difference for refugees and social cohesion in Europe by complementing public systems, taking risks that governments often cannot due to short-term electoral imperatives, and investing in long-term and innovative solutions rather than short-term relief. Philanthropy can play a leading role in promoting the socio-economic inclusion of refugees, enabling them to contribute quickly and positively to the communities that welcome them, and helping to counter narratives that portray refugees as a burden. Finally, philanthropy is frequently in the hands of individuals with significant political and economic influence, who can help shape public discourse on refugees and promote inclusion, and in turn, shape legal and policy reforms or budget allocations. Philanthropy is a powerful way to change the communities in which we live for the better.
If you could inspire readers to take one small but meaningful action to support a more welcoming world, what would it be?
All of us can make a difference. While this may sound like a truism, there is no action so small that it cannot eventually have a big impact. Some people can dedicate time to helping refugees learn the local language, navigate public services, or prepare for job interviews. Others may even be able to offer employment opportunities within their own businesses. Some may be ready to open their homes to families waiting for a place in public housing. Others will use their voices in political debates or the media to promote tolerance and inclusion. Some will simply bring their own perspective to heated discussions with friends and relatives. Others may have the financial means to support refugee-led organisations in their communities, or UN agencies working in distant regions, just as Fondation de Luxembourg and its network of foundations have tirelessly done over the past years.
There are many ways to show empathy and solidarity. But being complacent – or worse, complicit –about the world being shaped before our eyes is, for me, and I trust for you as well, not an option.
Former UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and Jean-Nicolas Beuze, alongside members of the Fondation de Luxembourg’s network, at a meeting discussing the global refugee crisis in 2025.
Excellence académique au service de l’Europe : les bourses Pierre Werner
Inspirée par la vision de Pierre Werner – ancien Premier ministre du Luxembourg et père de l’euro – la Fondation qui porte son nom continue de promouvoir ses idéaux d’unité, de progrès et de curiosité intellectuelle. Chaque année, la Fondation Pierre Werner soutient des étudiants exceptionnels européens de troisième cycle à l’Université du Luxembourg, donnant voix à une nouvelle génération de talents en droit, économie, finance et sciences politiques.
Ici, nous partageons les réflexions émouvantes de Marie-Anne Werner sur l’héritage durable de son père, ainsi que les témoignages de deux remarquables lauréats 2025, dont les recherches incarnent l’esprit d’ouverture et d’excellence au cœur de la Fondation.
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Entretien avec
Qu'est-ce qui vous a motivé à créer la Fondation Pierre Werner ?
Il y a trente ans, en 1993, pour célébrer ses 80 ans, quelques amis du monde politique luxembourgeois offrirent à mon père, Pierre Werner, ancien Président du Gouvernement du Luxembourg, un cadeau peu commun : une fondation portant son nom. En 2015, la décision fut prise de rejoindre la Fondation de Luxembourg en tant que fondation abritée. S’ouvraient à nous de nouvelles possibilités de contact grâce à une infrastructure experte et huilée. Nos idées initiales de soutenir des jeunes universitaires avaient enfin trouvé leur support, pour ne pas dire leur moteur !
Comment faites-vous progresser les idéaux et les valeurs de M. Werner à travers la fondation ?
Les objectifs furent redéfinis de la façon suivante : la Fondation soutient des projets s’inscrivant dans la lignée de la pensée de Pierre Werner concernant l’intégration européenne, notamment sur les plans économique et monétaire. Le Comité décida de façon plus concrète de choisir le postuniversitaire, pour accorder des bourses à des projets ou des recherches portant sur l’intégration européenne, les phénomènes monétaires, la démocratie ou les droits de l’homme, dans n’importe quel pays du continent européen. Depuis 2017, nous arrivons à un total appréciable de 33 boursiers.
Quelle réalisation de la fondation vous rend le plus fière ?
Rejoigndre la Fondation de Luxembourg en 2015 était une renaissance et opportunité de reconnaissance, où nous avons trouvé une destination que mon père aurait apprécier: les Bourses Pierre Werner.
Je pense que mon père aurait beaucoup aimé discuter avec les lauréats. Pour moi c’est un grand plaisir et un excellent souvenir de mon père, qui est ravivé chaque année.
Mon projet de doctorat, mené au sein de la Chaire UNESCO en droits de l’homme de l’Université du Luxembourg, analyse le rôle des organisations de la société civile dans l’élaboration et la diffusion des normes relatives aux droits de l’homme.
Ce projet met en lumière la façon dont les acteurs de la société civile mobilisent des ressources spécialisées et des alliances transnationales pour influencer la gouvernance des entreprises et les droits de l’homme. Il montre que ces lois constituent des expériences adaptatives, dans lesquelles la participation citoyenne, l’apprentissage mutuel et la diffusion des normes interagissent aux niveaux national, européen et international.
La Bourse Pierre Werner représente bien plus qu’une simple récompense financière. L’engagement de Pierre Werner a démontré que de grands hommes politiques dévoués ont bâti l’Europe. Grâce à cette bourse, je souhaite montrer que la recherche, la stimulation intellectuelle et l’échange d’idées continuent d’entretenir les fondements qui rendent l’Europe si belle. Pour moi, la Bourse Pierre Werner incarne également l’idéal européen qui a façonné mon parcours personnel et académique et qui continue de m’inspirer : la foi en la coopération transfrontalière, l’optimisme constructif et la recherche de la dignité humaine à travers le dialogue et la connaissance.
À une époque où l’information peut devenir une arme, la protection des sociétés démocratiques s’impose comme un enjeu majeur.
Ma recherche, menée à la Faculté de droit, d’économie et de finance de l’Université du Luxembourg ainsi qu’au Centre for IT & IP Law (CiTiP) de la KU Leuven, examine comment le cadre juridique de l’Union européenne peut s’adapter afin de faire face aux menaces hybrides, à savoir les ingérences, influences et opérations étrangères visant à déstabiliser et à contraindre les sociétés démocratiques.
Dans le cadre du projet « European Union vs Hybrid Threats: Repurposing the EU Legal Framework to Counter Hybrid Threats? », j’explore comment la législation européenne existante en matière de désinformation, de cybersécurité et de cybercriminalité peut être utilisée pour renforcer la résilience juridique de l’Union et préserver ses fondements démocratiques. Avec le soutien de la Fondation Pierre Werner, je mènerai une partie de cette recherche à l’Université Waseda à Tokyo, en comparant les approches européenne et japonaise des menaces hybrides. Cette perspective transnationale vise à formuler des recommandations politiques sur la manière dont les sociétés démocratiques peuvent rester sûres, résilientes et fidèles à leurs valeurs démocratiques dans un contexte géopolitique de plus en plus fragmenté.
Les idées de Pierre Werner – des années 1970, des années 1980 – perdurent à travers ces bourses que nous attribuons à des étudiants brillants issus de nombreux pays européens.
Luc Frieden, Premier Ministre du Luxembourg et Président du Comité de Gestion de la Fondation Pierre Werner
Across Europe, a quiet revolution is reshaping how people give. Today’s philanthropists want their giving to be purposeful, strategic, and sustainable: to reflect their values as much as their resources.
As this mindset takes hold, many are seeking ways to professioanlise their philanthropy. Some turn to public utility foundations, which offer a fully independent structure but often require significant administrative and legal commitment.
An increasing number, however, are choosing a different path – that of the sheltered foundation: philanthropic funds created under the umbrella of established institutions such as the Fondation de Luxembourg. These structures offer a way to give that is both personal and practical: founders can define their mission, name, and objectives, while relying on the legal and administrative framework of a host foundation.
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Find your why
Every philanthropy journey begins with reflection. The most enduring commitments come from a clear understanding of why one gives – the causes that resonate, the change one hopes to inspire. Founders are encouraged to explore not only what they want to achieve, but also who they wish to involve in the process. These early conversations shape everything that follows, helping experts design the right foundation structure.
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It is philanthropy streamlined: a way to transform generosity into lasting impact without the burden of managing an independent entity.
At the Fondation de Luxembourg, the creation of a foundation is a bespoke process that begins with a conversation – about values, intentions, and the kind of legacy a founder hopes to build. With professional guidance and a clear sense of purpose, philanthropists are able to transform their aspirations into enduring impact. The journey to creating a personalised foundation can be broken down into a few steps.
Decide how much you want to give
Once the purpose is clear, the question naturally shifts: how much to give, and how to make it last? Guided by their financial advisors and the Fondation’s experts, founders shape their commitment – determining the size and source of the funds, and aligning them with an investment strategy that reflects their principles and goals. Some choose to dedicate a portion of their wealth today; others embed giving into their estate plans. Either way, the emphasis is on sustainability – ensuring that generosity is not a fleeting gesture, but a lasting force.
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Select your giving structure
Every philanthropist approaches giving differently. Some want to make an impact right away, funding projects that deliver results in the short term. Others prefer to build something lasting – an endowment that supports causes steadily over time.
Many choose a mix of both, combining immediate action with long-term continuity. Whether the foundation runs for a few years or indefinitely, the key is finding a structure that fits the founder’s goals.
At each stage of the philanthropy journey, the founders are free to be as personally involved with their engagement as they wish. While some founders prefer to let their representatives take the lead, most wish to take an active role, selecting beneficiaries and even visiting projects themselves to see the impact of their giving on the ground.
A sample philanthropy journey
Drawn from the inspirations and experiences of several founders.
Mr. and Mrs. X have recently sold their business, and have been increasingly looking for ways to give back to society. After watching a documentary about the lack of access to education in many African countries, they feel motivated to use their means to address the issue.
During a meeting with the couple, the financial advisor of Mr. and Mrs. X raises the topic of philanthropy. To ensure that their philanthropy is structured and optimised, their banker recommends the Fondation de Luxembourg as a trusted partner.
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Establish your foundation
Once the vision, funding, and structure are in place, the foundation becomes reality. After the agreement is signed, the foundation's governing body, the Management Committee, is formed –including the founder, a Fondation de Luxembourg representative, and an independent member. With guidance from a Programme Manager, they select and follow projects, meeting regularly to review progress and refine their approach.
Mr. and Mrs. X meet with the Fondation de Luxembourg team alongside their financial advisor, and explore together the various structures and investment strategies that are available to them. The Fondation's team also helps them refine the objective of their sheltered foundation.
Mr and Mrs. X sign an agreement creating the sheltered foundation, naming it the X Family Foundation for Education under the aegis of the Fondation de Luxembourg. The Management Committee is also created.
The Management Committee convenes. During the meeting, they validate their foundation's annual accounts and budget, and select the project.
The Fondation de Luxembourg follows up with the beneficiary organisation, carrying out all due diligence and monitoring the project implementation.
The beneficiary organisation carries out the project, acquiring crucial school supplies and distributing them amongst pre-selected schools in Sub-Saharan Africa. They then report back on the project’s success to the Programme Manager, and discuss further possible engagement.
En 2024, la Fondation de Luxembourg a lancé la Fondation pour le Climat sous son égide pour relier des entreprises donatrices à des projets locaux agissant pour le climat et la biodiversité. Elle compte déjà quatre entreprises partenaires.
Qu’est-ce qui a motivé votre entreprise à soutenir la Fondation pour le Climat ?
Olivier Carcy, CEO d’Indosuez Wealth Management Europe
Au sein d’Indosuez Wealth Management Europe, nous sommes convaincus que la finance peut être un moteur de la transition écologique et sociétale. C’est cette conviction qui nous a naturellement conduits à soutenir la Fondation pour le Climat, dont les actions concrètes et innovantes s’alignent parfaitement avec nos valeurs. À travers des projets comme Klimabësch, qui promeut des solutions innovantes pour préserver la biodiversité, ou Mobiclus, qui encourage une mobilité durable, nous agissons pour bâtir une économie plus responsable et inclusive sur notre territoire. En mobilisant nos ressources collectives et en orientant nos financements vers des initiatives porteuses d’avenir, nous contribuons à créer un impact positif durable, au bénéfice des communautés locales, de nos collaborateurs et des générations futures.
Pierre Ahlborn, Administrateur Délégué de Banque de Luxembourg
La Fondation pour le Climat accompagne les entreprises donatrices qui veulent soutenir des projets ayant un impact local dans les domaines de la préservation de la biodiversité et de la protection contre le réchauffement climatique. Répondant à son appel, notre Banque souhaite ainsi incarner ses valeurs au travers d'actes permettant de démultiplier la portée positive de ses activités et contribuer aux objectifs de transformation écologique du Luxembourg. Avec ce partenariat, elle se répose sur l'expertise d'un comité scientifique chargé d'identifier des projets visant une gestion durable des écosystèmes locaux. En s'engageant aux côtés de la Fondation pour le Climat, elle veille ainsi à préserver les intérêts des générations futures.
Françoise Thoma, CEO de Spuerkeess
La Fondation pour le Climat réunit une multitude d'acteurs engagés dans la lutte contre le changement climatique. Il était donc logique que Spuerkeess s'y engage. Nous soutenons le projet « SMART regio » de l’IBLA car il reflète notre engagement en tant que transition enabler. En évaluant la durabilité de fermes en circuit court, ce projet a l'ambition d’apporter des résultats concrets pour la résilience de l’agriculture locale en donnant un rôle central aux exploitants agricoles dans la protection de la biodiversité. Dans un pays où près de la moitié des terres sont agricoles, accompagner ce secteur vers un modèle durable et respectueux de l’environnement nous a semblé essentiel.
Frédéric Surdon, CEO de Société Générale Luxembourg
En soutenant l’éducation, la culture et l’environnement, trois domaines essentiels à la vie en société, Société Générale entend contribuer à la construction d’une société plus inclusive et plus durable. Soutenir et amplifier les initiatives qui contribuent à la transition écologique, à un développement plus durable et à la sauvegarde de l’environnement – tels que les projets proposés par la Fondation pour le Climat – répond à nos engagements en matière de préservation de la nature, en particulier la biodiversité.
