The Partnership Walk is an initiative of AKF USA and its' network of
volunteers in communities across America. It is a unique event that is primarily
focused on raising public awareness about alleviating global illiteracy and
taking action to improve the lives of disadvantaged communities in Africa and
Asia.
AKF USA supports programs in health and education and promotes self-help programs with local communities and grassroots organizations so they may develop their own long-term solutions.
Partnership Walks are organized in over 24 cities throughout the United States by the Foundation's active network of volunteers. In the United States, Partnership Walks have taken place since 1995. The Walks provide participants with a unique opportunity to become part of a global network and share in the quest to ending global illiteracy and poverty.
Each year, a theme is developed for the Walk that highlights a "thematic interest" of the Foundation. "Education The Universal Bridge - sharing knowledge, reaching dreams" is the 2009 theme.
Education serves as a bridge to help individuals and communities build more
productive, fulfilling and dignified lives. Aga Khan Foundation's educational
activities span across a broad range of initiatives to help people in Asia and
Africa reach their full potential from early childhood development to primary
and secondary school improvement to skills and management training for
professionals, entrepreneurs and community members. Health related activities
include training nurses and educating communities about disease prevention and
healthy behaviors. Rural development programs teach farmers effective techniques
to help them move beyond subsistence. All these efforts equip people with
life-long skills to overcome poverty and expand opportunities.
NEWS RELEASE:
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, October 11, 2009 - Over, 4,000 are expected to participate in the Chicago Partnership Walk, 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. This year marks the 15th year for Partnership Walk and nationwide over 30,000 are expected to participate in the Walk in nine cities, including Atlanta, Birmingham, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Orlando and San Francisco.
The Walk brings together families, friends, students and leaders in
government, business, media and the arts for a day of learning activities,
fundraising and culturally diverse performances. 100% of funds raised at
Partnership Walk go directly to the projects supported by the Foundation. The
cost of organizing the Walk is completely underwritten by AKF USA and in-kind
contributors. No contributions are used for administrative costs.
The Chicago Partnership Walk will be held on Sunday, October 11, at 12:00 noon
at Montrose Harbor, Chicago, IL. Teams from corporations, universities, schools
and community organizations have registered for the Chicago Partnership Walk to
take a step to end global poverty. Participants will walk to demonstrate their
support for ending global poverty.
Distinguished guests Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White and Illinois State Representative Elaine Nekritz will tour the interactive exhibits on site that showcase innovative solutions for reducing poverty in Africa and Asia. The program featuring lively entertainment celebrating the diversity of world cultures and educational exhibits will be hosted by media celebrities Dr. Sandy Goldberg, Health Reporter, NBC News 5; Bill Moller, TC Public Relations and former host of "Your Money with Bill Moller"; Rehan Aslam, Fox News Chicago producer and Mia Martinez, anchor/reporter, CBS 2. For a detailed schedule and directions, visit the Partnership Walk website at www.PartnershipsInAction/walk.org.
The 2009 theme for the Walk, "Education – The Universal Bridge" highlights
the impact of Aga Khan Foundation's educational activities. Serving as a bridge
to help individuals and communities build more productive, fulfilling and
dignified lives, the Foundation's educational activities span across a broad
range of initiatives to help people in Asia and Africa reach their full
potential, covering early childhood development, primary and secondary school
improvement, and skills and management training for professionals, entrepreneurs
and community members.
Aga Khan Foundation's education programs bring to light the power of partnerships and reflect the Foundation's enduring commitment to education. For over a quarter century, Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. has worked in the developing world in the areas of health, education, rural development, civil society and the environment. These efforts equip people with life-long skills to overcome poverty and embrace the time-tested principle of helping people to help themselves.
One of the most inspiring features of Partnership Walk is the Village in
Action, where participants can enjoy interactive displays and hands-on exhibits
that spotlight how the 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 will guide participants through
interactive exhibits to introduce the innovative ways that Aga Khan Foundation
is alleviating hunger, disease and illiteracy.
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, improve 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.
