As the first ever Foundation Week draws to a close in Brussels Mr Marco Parlangeli, Chief Executive of the Italian foundation Fondazione Monte dei Paschi di Siena has been named as the next Chair of the EFC. Mr Parlangeli will assume his new role from May 2011.

Mr Parlangeli has been Chief Executive of the Fondazione Monte dei Paschi di Siena since 2003. He is also Member of the Fondazione Accademia Chigiana board of directors, Member of Fondazione Ravello governing council, Member of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti Advisory Board and Member of Mediobanca board of directors. Mr Parlangeli has been Treasurer of the EFC and member of Management Committee and Governing Council since June 2004.

Mr Parlangeli will take up his role of Chair at the 2011 Annual General Assembly planned to take place in Cascais, Portugal in May 2011, with the theme of sustainability of natural resources.

Highlights of “Foundation Week” included a speech by Mr Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council. During his intervention, Mr Van Rompuy praised the work of foundations all over the world, underlining that although the European Foundation Statute to enable cross-border giving between foundations is a ‘sensible’ idea, foundations should remain patient until it is adopted.

“We are pleased that Mr Van Rompuy supports the principle of a European Foundation Statute,” said Mr Gerry Salole, Chief Executive of the EFC. “We will continue to call for its implementation in the coming months and years.”

Also during the Closing Plenary, the annual Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy in Europe was presented. Now in its seventh year, this year’s prize was awarded to Dr Mo Ibrahim Founder of the London-based Mo Ibrahim Foundation for the initiative he has developed to change the landscape of governance in Africa.

“In his work to encourage good governance in Africa, Dr Mo Ibrahim matches the best of Europe with the best of Africa. In doing so he is at the cutting edge of a new paradigm for global philanthropy,” said Mr Raymond Georis.

 In his address to the Closing Plenary, Chair of the EFC Mr Emilio Rui Vilar called Foundation Week “a major success showcasing just how much foundations do, and what a significant role they play in European society.”