The president and CEO of United Way Worldwide has called on people to come together to address challenges such as achievement gaps and disparities in wealth.

Brian Gallagher, who is head of the world’s largest privately funded nonprofit, said that Korea’s Samsung conglomerate was one of his organization’s most important partners. But he called on more corporations to invest in improving people’s lives.

He said that civil unrest from the international “Occupy” movement, to that in the Middle East, Europe and throughout the world, shows people’s increasing desire to have their voices heard.

“Increasingly, people want to proactively influence their communities and improve the conditions in which they live,” he said.

“Addressing these concerns and making sustainable progress on issues like achievement gaps and disparities in wealth is very challenging. I believe it must start by addressing two core principles. First, there is no greater immediate and long-term economic strategy than investing in human success and ensuring that all people have opportunities for a better life.

“Secondly, we must get people back involved and supporting one another. Community problems will only be solved if everyone ― business, government and citizens -― works together and has an opportunity to contribute. Engaging diverse perspectives like these is fundamental to United Way’s work.”

United Way has 1,800 local affiliates in 40 countries and territories raising $5.1 billion annually, with 11 million donors and 2.5 million volunteers.

Gallagher, who visited Korea last year to speak about philanthropy, said that Korean companies had increased their support of his organization as they grew themselves, with Samsung contributing $1 million to United Way last year to support early childhood education in Austin, Texas.

“This is just one example, but many Korean companies are engaged with the communities they serve,” Gallagher added. “Not just in Korea, but also around the world. United Way is very proud of our partnership with Samsung. It’s among our most important and successful around the world.”

And the philanthropic leader said corporations were increasingly recognizing the value of investing in communities.

“When I speak with wealthy people about sharing with the community, I link their individual goals to community goals. I ask wealthy people about their aspirations for the community, and often learn that we share the same goals ― a healthy and self-sustaining community with sufficient opportunity to provide all community members with a better life. Realization of our shared goals and aspirations for the community illustrate that we are all inextricably linked regardless of individual wealth, income or access to opportunity,” he said.

By Kirsty Taylor (kirstyt@heraldcorp.com)