Resource Alliance chief executive, Neelam Makhijani has called for more emphasis on the role of philanthropy in achieving the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals as it develops a post-2015 agenda.

Makhijani also warned that: “Many philanthropists actually ignore Millennium Development Goals. It is not part of their discussions or their thinking going forward. Philanthropy should not be seen as separate from development, but as part of it.”

She was speaking last week on a panel discussion titled, The role of philanthropic organisations and development partnerships in the post-2015 development goals as part of the Development Cooperation Forum at the UN.

She identified “lack of communication” as one of the sector's greatest challenges.

Makhijani said: “We are talking in silos. There are not enough models of shared learning or partnership. We have curriculums, benchmarks, and standard operating procedures for the work that we do, but not within philanthropy.”

She added: “There is a lot of talk and not enough action.”

Calling for a new vision of philanthropy said that there should be “clear incentives”, such as tax relief, to encourage giving.