What to protect, exactly?
At first glance, when it comes to equity, what comes to mind is the money accumulated over the years, the properties and all other assets that express our lifestyle. These components are, undoubtedly, important. But are they, indeed our most valuable assets? Certainly not.
More than money, what distinguishes each individual from his/her fellow are the values built up over generations. This can be expressed in the legacy we leave to the society. Some of the remarkable examples in this area can be found in the United States. Many of the institutions responsible for the consolidation of the American Way of Life were born from donations. The list incudes from the Harvard University and Bobson College, through cultural icons such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMa) and the Lincoln Center.
More recently, this wave is being led by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, who have sought to sensitize their peers to donate, in life, substantial funds for researches in the health and education areas. One of those who boarded this initiative was the billionaire Stephen Schwarzan, controller of the mega-investment fund Blackstone, who donated $150 million to the Yale University.
