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1st Feb - Madrid - Goya Awards - Celebration of the Spanish cinema
January 29th, 2009 -
Jan 24- Feb 1 AMSTERDAM INTERNATIONAL FASHION WEEK
January 23rd, 2009 -
Richard Avedon - Potographs 1946 - 2004
January 21st, 2009
A KENNEDY FOR A FRIEND
Anthony Kennedy Shriver talks about his work as founder of Best Buddies, a charity which promotes the rights of disabled people
text Francesca Lombardo
Like his famous Kennedy relatives, Anthony Shriver Kennedy – the nephew of President John F Kennedy – could have nurtured ambitions of a successful and lucrative career in politics or business. Instead, the son of one of the most celebrated and famous families in the States, chose to put – as he says – “Jesus at the centre of the world”, spending half of his life helping disabled people.
Married to Alina, a Cuban art dealer, and father of four children, 44-year-old Kennedy has been inspired by one single ambition: giving back to people.
Today, he is the president of Best Buddies, a charity with 40 offices around the world, which fights prejudice against disabled people and aims to facilitate their social integration.
Anthony Kennedy has recently visited Italy to set up a Best Buddies office. We catch up with him and his family to find out what progress he’s been making.
How did your interest in helping disabled people come about?
My family has been a profound source of inspiration, particularly my mother Eunice Kennedy Shriver, given her early commitment to persons with intellectual disabilities, and my late aunt Rosemary Kennedy, who was intellectually disabled. Rosemary helped me to appreciate the reality that everyone is capable of something exceptional, especially with the support and encouragement of friends and family.
What do you get out of your work with Best Buddies?
I get to see the tremendous and positive impact Best Buddies has each and every day to enhance the opportunities available to persons with intellectual disabilities. I love to see the appreciation and acceptance that young people have for people of difference, a key value if we want to build a more compassionate and caring society. Best Buddies makes these gifts possible.
What kind of values did you grow up with?
We always were told that what Luca (12:48) said should be our mantra: “To whom much is given much is expected.” If you follow that philosophy, life will bring you gifts you never dreamed of.
What do you teach your children, and what do you think they are learning from your lifestyle and dedication to your work?
Faith is the foundation from which all things good evolve. If you have a commitment and dedication to God, then all else will fall into place. They start with that philosophy and everything they do grows from there.
What is your typical day like?
Work, work, and more work – my work is a lifestyle. If it is the weekend, I have potential donors over, I have Buddies over. I also go to the gym and to the movies a ton, and to church every single weekend. I play lots of games with the kids – capture the flag, and water polo, to name a couple.
What’s been the most challenging aspect of running Best Buddies?
Finding and retaining good staff, finding good and committed volunteers who will serve on our board of directors, and building a brand that is recognised around the world, which is a job that will never end. And it’s always tough to raise money.
What are Best Buddies’ major achievements?
Bringing people together who would never ever meet each other, never appreciate each other, and making the community at large understand there is a whole population of people who appear different, but they are some of the most talented and gifted people in the whole world.
Is it easy to raise funds when you approach people with the Kennedy name?
It opens doors, but when you get in you need to be sharp and convincing, and have a product that people understand and believe really works to change people’s lives. If not, you will have a pleasant meeting, but the door will slam shut as fast as it opened.
What are the main differences between European and American fundraising models?
One of the great parts of American culture is philanthropy. Americans grow up surrounded by the idea of giving back. Giving is one of the best parts of American culture. I don’t think philanthropy has evolved to the same level in Europe or any other parts of the world. Progress is being made, and I’m optimistic that other countries will catch up with the US, but for now I find philanthropy much more accepted in the US.