The Milken Institute is well-known for our convenings, and every year we anticipate them eagerly. 2020 had other plans, though, forcing every organization in the world to reimagine the way we gather. Throughout the course of the year, The Milken Institute did what we would have thought impossible just 12 months ago: Bringing together leaders and experts from all sectors to learn, share information and problem-solve, virtually.

Remote meetings had their blessings — for example, less travel, and fewer days away from family. They had drawbacks, too — like the missed opportunities to see friends and collaborators in person, and for spontaneous introductions and meetings. Still,  COVID  gave us a lot to talk about, and even virtually, the Center for Strategic Philanthropy was able to have deep conversations about philanthropy, innovation, planetary health, education, social equity and how to use this moment in time to create something better.

As always, the discussions were insightful, thought-provoking and enlightening. In all, the Institute hosted five major convenings, with more than 320 sessions featuring nearly 1,000 speakers. That’s in addition to dozens of issue-specific webinars and the podcasts that Mike Milken, the Institute's Founder and Chairman, hosted. As we look back on the year, here are some highlights from sessions hosted by the Center for Strategic Philanthropy.

On funding for mental health treatment and care: 
“We acknowledge, in governmental funding organizations and in private funds as well, that current practices will only get us so far. We need to invest in the kinds of research that will transform mental health care in the future.”  - Joshua Gordon, Director, National Institutes of Mental Health, speaking at the Future of Health Summit, December 2020

On the connection between human and planetary health: 
“In this new geological era, we are manipulating the biosphere, and our food has become the #1 risk factor for disease in our world. Unless we transform our food systems, we are doomed to suffer more pandemics, perhaps more widespread and deadly.” - Gunhild A.Stordalen, Founder and Executive Chair, EAT, at the Milken Institute webinar, Stopping the Next Pandemic Before It Starts, August 2020

“We are all human beings, and human dignity needs to be preserved in order to address COVID, and climate change.” - Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim President, Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad (AFPAT); Fellow, Conservation International, at the Milken Institute Future of Health, December 2020 

On philanthropy and systems change:  
“It’s time to shine a light on one of the greatest missed opportunities for confronting global challenges, and that is the role philanthropic capital can play alongside other forms of funding in delivering real change. If we thought about it more strategically, and in a more integrated way, we would see radically different results. - Badr Jafar, Founder of the Pearl Initiative, speaking at the Middle East and Africa Summit, February 2020 

"Crises give way to opportunities, and we hope this can leapfrog to new systems and solutions to change entrenched behaviors. This outbreak has motivated us to be more focused on policy. Where there hadn’t been an urgency to innovate, now there really is.” - Clara Wu Tsai, Founder, The Clara Wu and Joe Tsai Foundation, Philanthropy and COVID-19: From Relief to Recovery, April 2020 

On social justice and systemic inequity:  
“We need to recognize that the systems we’ve constructed are inherently harmful and problematic in addressing the questions we want to address.” - Yolo Akili Robinson, Executive Editor and Founder, BEAM, speaking at the Future of Health Summit, December 2020 

“This is a momentous time in history. It’s a time for Black liberation, self-determination, and a moment to bring racial and class justice for all. We have to put control into communities that have been hurt the most ... When everyone owns a little of everything, we all thrive.”
- Kat Taylor, Co-Founder and Board Chair, Beneficial Bank, speaking at Global Conference 2020 

On advancing medical research:  
“Technology is going to eviscerate the existing system. COVID has thrown a big rock in the pond. Those big ripples are going to be an excuse, and an opportunity to think differently about all the things the system didn’t comprehend or isn’t in their interest.” - Robert Nelson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, ARCH Venture Partners, speaking at the Future of Health Summit, December 2020