AGA KHAN FOUNDATION U.S.A. – PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2,800 WALK TO HELP END GLOBAL POVERTY AT CHICAGO PARTNERSHIP WALK
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, September 19, 2010 – Today over 2,800 participated in Partnership Walk at Montrose Harbor in Chicago to demonstrate their support for ending global poverty. Partnership Walk, now in its 16th year, is an event held annually in major cities across the U.S. The Walk is an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. (AKF USA) to raise awareness and funds to alleviate global poverty and promote partnership between America and the developing world. Nationwide, over 34,000 are expected to participate in the 2010 Walk in nine cities, including Atlanta, Birmingham, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Orlando and San Francisco. Visit http://www.PartnershipsInAction.org/walk.
Partnership Walk brought together families, friends, students and leaders in government, business, media and the arts for a day of learning activities, fundraising and culturally diverse performances. Teams from corporations, universities, schools and community organizations demonstrated their solidarity to take a step at ending global poverty. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn addressed the enthusiastic crowd saying, “The great movements of our people have not been by those on the top with power but by those everyday people banning together, for a cause they believe in. And the cause of relieving global poverty is a cause of a lifetime.”
The Chicago Partnership Walk raised over $400,000 for poverty alleviation projects. 100% of funds raised at Partnership Walk go directly to the projects supported by the Foundation. Given the unprecedented floods crisis in the past month, 50% of the funds raised at 2010 Partnership Walk will go to support the Aga Khan Development Network’s response to the floods in Pakistan and surrounding area, including Focus Humanitarian Assistance. Remaining funds raised go directly to poverty alleviation projects supported by Aga Khan Foundation in Africa and Asia. Since 1995, PartnershipsInAction events have attracted over 313,000 participants, raising $36 million.
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky also participated, noting that this was the fifth year she was honored to attend Partnership Walk: “I am here today with so many citizens of the world who are committed to building a better, safer and healthier world for ourselves and future generations. It is inspirational to see the active network of volunteers. Your presence here today demonstrates your commitment to finding sustainable solutions to poverty, illiteracy and hunger. Your compassion for our global neighbors shows your spirit for humanity and responsibility to ensure a peaceful, prosperous future for all humankind and not just our own citizens here in the Unites States.”
Alongside an electrifying performance of the Jesse White Tumbling Team and Drummers, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White acknowledged, “It’s a great day for a walk and a great day to share your love and appreciation for your fellow man and woman. I live by a philosophy that when you come into this world and become successful, you give back. I’m sure a lot of people here today are giving back and making a difference in the lives of a lot of individuals, not only in the US but across the world.” Distinguished guests included Illinois State Representative Elaine Nekritz and many other government officials and community leaders.
The opening program, featuring lively entertainment celebrating the diversity of world cultures, was hosted by media celebrities Alli Munsey, Mrs. Chicago and Mrs. Illinois 2010; Rehan Aslam, producer for “The Ten,” FOX News Chicago; Karen Jordan, anchor/reporter, WLS-TV, channel 7 News; Ravi Baichwal, anchor/reporter, ABC 7 News; and Natalie Martinez, anchor/reporter, NBC 5 News.
The 2010 theme for Partnership Walk, “Our Environment: One People, One Planet,” calls attention to the urgent need for environmental stewardship and strategies that build sustainability and resilience to the mounting challenges of climate change, deforestation, resource depletion and diminishing biodiversity. Poor and marginalized communities are on the front lines of climate change, at risk from melting glaciers in Tajikistan, floods in Pakistan, salt water intrusion in Bangladesh, and prolonged drought in Kenya where food security and famine hang in the balance. Aga Khan Development Network’s solutions to environmental problems are intricately linked with mobilizing communities to champion innovative approaches to natural resource management and alternative energy in their surrounding habitats. Responsible stewardship of our planet extends to all people from Asia to Africa to America. 2010 PartnershipsInAction events across the U.S. engage Americans as global citizens in the widening grassroots movement to improve the quality of life of our planet and its people.
One of the most inspiring features at Partnership Walk was the Village in Action, where participants enjoyed interactive displays and hands-on exhibits that spotlight how Aga Khan Foundation is implementing creative solutions in poor regions from Afghanistan to Zanzibar with projects that promote quality education and health care, expand microcredit opportunities and improve incomes and agricultural productivity. Volunteers guided participants through interactive exhibits to introduce the innovative ways that Aga Khan Foundation is alleviating hunger, disease and illiteracy. This year’s Village in Action focused on environmental solutions that have a positive impact on the poor and help them to be more self-reliant.
AKF USA, established in 1981, is a private, non-denominational, non-profit international development organization committed to alleviating poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy. AKF USA is part of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org), a network of private, non-denominational, development agencies around the world, established by His Highness the Aga Khan to empower communities and individuals, often in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve their living conditions and opportunities. The overarching goal of the Network’s programs is to help poor communities achieve a level of self-reliance whereby they are able to plan their own futures. The Foundation presently supports over 100 programs in 18 countries for the common good of all citizens regardless of their gender, origin or religion. The geographic focus of the Foundation’s development programs is in East Africa and South and Central Asia.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Martha Sipple, Communications & Public Affairs Manager, Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A.
(202) 293-2537 or cell: (202) 203-0838
Mr. Sadruddin Noorani, AKF USA Volunteer Team for the Midwest Region
(312) 550-5456 email: SadruddinNoorani@aol.com
http://www.partnershipsinaction.org/walk/news/documents/2010%20press%20releases/2010post-pr_chicago_v2.pdf
Media Photographs: http://www.sadrupics.com/PhotoUniteOrg/Partnership-Walk-2010-Chicago
Ismailimail 