Category Archives: Philanthropy & Society

The Rockefeller Foundation Launches Annual 'Innovation Forum'

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The Rockefeller Foundation Launches Annual ‘Innovation Forum’ to Explore Challenges Facing the World’s Poor and Vulnerable

Program to Honor Global Innovators and Commit Resources to Problem Solving

The Rockefeller Foundation today announced the launch of its annual Innovation Forum, an unprecedented new program aimed at identifying the root causes of problems impacting the world’s poor and vulnerable and putting resources in place to research and implement the appropriate solutions to these challenges.

The Innovation Forum convenes some of the most creative and inventive minds from the worlds of business, government, the non-profit sector and journalism to bring innovation to bear on urgent challenges facing poor and vulnerable people around the world. Through a series of interactions, panel discussions and breakout sessions, participants will analyze compelling scenarios of crises in water security, urban economic security and food security. They will be asked to identify the primary causes of these pressing global challenges that must be solved for the benefit of future generations. In exchange for their contributions, the Rockefeller Foundation will commit to leveraging its deep expertise, expansive network and thoughtful grant making process to further explore and address ideas that surface over the coming year as a result of the Forum. The results will then be reviewed at each annual Innovation Forum.

The inaugural Innovation Forum, which will be held on July 27, 2011 in New York, will also honor a number of individuals and organizations whose innovative work exemplifies the mission and vision of the Rockefeller Foundation. This year’s award recipients include:

* President Bill Clinton , founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for innovation in philanthropy.
* Sania Nishtar, founder and president of the NGO think tank Heartfile and renowned leader in health policy in Pakistan, who will receive an innovation award for her work in the region.
* Jane Weru , executive director of The Akiba Mashinani Trust, a non-profit organization working on developing innovative community-led solutions to housing and land tenure problems for the urban poor in Kenya, who will receive an innovation award for her work in the region.
* Kiva in the Classroom—represented by students from Wickman Elementary School in Chino Hills, California—will receive a Young Innovators award for using micro-lending as an educational tool and for the program’s sustained effort to fight global poverty.

“Identifying, exploring and supporting new and innovative approaches to meeting the needs of the poor and vulnerable has been the heart of the Rockefeller Foundation’s mission since our inception, and we are proud to host this unique opportunity to channel insights from a broad range of perspectives,” said Dr. Judith Rodin, President of the Rockefeller Foundation. “We expect the Innovation Forum program to identify new global and regional problems for our Foundation — as well as other institutions — to explore, and in the end lead to groundbreaking initiatives and positive outcomes to help those in need around the world.”

“The issues that will be addressed at this meeting are key to our success and sustainability in the 21st Century,” said President Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States. “I am proud that my Foundation works to tackle these challenges across the globe and I look forward to the Rockefeller Foundation’s continued involvement in this important work.”

The 2011 Innovation Forum will place a particular focus on identifying major challenges facing the poor and vulnerable in the areas of food security, global water security and urban economic security in American cities. The program also aims to pinpoint potential new approaches to solving some of these most pressing issues.

Participants in the 2011 Innovation Forum will include noted global thought leaders such as Andrea Mitchell, Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent at NBC News; Dr. Paul Farmer, Kolokotrones University Professor at Harvard University; Muhammad Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize recipient; the Honorable Mary Robinson, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Mati Kochavi, CEO and Chairman of AGT International and Wim Elfrink, Chief Globalization Officer at Cisco.

The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation’s mission to promote the well-being of people throughout the world has remained unchanged since its founding in 1913. Today, that mission is applied to an era of rapid globalization. Our vision is that this century will be one in which globalization’s benefits are more widely shared and its challenges are more easily weathered. To realize this vision, the Foundation seeks to achieve two fundamental goals in our work. First, we seek to build resilience that enhances individual, community and institutional capacity to survive, adapt, and grow in the face of acute crises and chronic stresses. Second, we seek to promote growth with equity in which the poor and vulnerable have more access to opportunities that improve their lives. In order to achieve these goals, the Foundation constructs its work into time-bound initiatives that have defined objectives and strategies for impact. These initiatives address challenges that lie either within or at the intersections of five issue areas: basic survival safeguards, global health, environment and climate change, urbanization, and social and economic security. For more information, please visit http://www.rockefellerfoundation.org.

Donkeys Are Drying Up Around Texas

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Donkeys Are Drying Up Around Texas

Donkeys, the worst hit by the drought, rescued by the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue

MILES, Texas, Over 300 donkeys have been rescued so far this year in Texas as a direct result of the drought. The current drought, the worst in recorded Texas history, has resulted in hay shortages and low water tables. Ranchers are selling off their livestock but have no resources to get rid of their donkeys.

Donkeys, especially in Texas, are overpopulated and hold no financial value. The vast majority of livestock auctions will not allow them to be unloaded and even offered for sale. With no feed and no options, donkeys are being abandoned in record numbers across the state.

Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue (PVDR) gives all law enforcement agencies priority in the submission of rescue work. Many counties do not have the financial ability to deal with the vast number of donkeys being dumped in their jurisdictions. Most donkeys currently being rescued in Texas are suffering from malnutrition and overgrown hooves.

As a state, Texas accounts for 90% of PVDR’s national rescue resources but contributes less than 5% of PVDR’s donation income.

All donkeys rescued by PVDR are quarantined, vaccinated, de-wormed and microchipped. During the cooler months, all jacks are castrated with the assistance of Texas A&M Veterinary School Students and Faculty.

Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue was established as a non-profit organization in the year 2000 in Acton, CA by founders Mark and Amy Meyers. The Meyers, along with their staff, have since rescued thousands of donkeys from abuse, neglect, abandonment as well as captured hundreds of wild burros throughout the Western States that were under threat of destruction. The Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue has rescue and adoption facilities across the United States.

www.donkeyrescue.org

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert: 'Runaway' Brides Dress

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Giorgio Armani wanted modern dress for Charlene

Giorgio Armani wanted Charlene Wittstock’s wedding dress to be “completely modern”.

The Italian designer created the South African beauty’s gown she wore to marry Monaco’s Prince Albert II on Saturday and says he was conscious for the dress to be different from Albert’s late mother, Princess Grace.

Writing for vogue.com. Giorgio said: “The idea was to go for a completely modern look, without an obvious sense of nostalgia or revivalism. I felt this was appropriate given that there would inevitably be comparisons with Princess Grace, and though such comparisons are of course a sign of admiration, each person has their own individual and unique style, and style is an expression of the times.”

 

Giorgio says former Olympic swimmer Charlene was a pleasure to work with and the perfect muse, saying: “Charlene is without a shadow of a doubt very beautiful. Tall and slim, she is sporty and at the same time has a natural elegance about her. Dressing her is such a pleasure – she knows how to wear my creations with the nonchalance and confidence of youth. I believe Charlene has the ideal figure to show off great dresses, because they highlight the fine curves and beautiful structure of her back and shoulders.”

The dress took 2,500 hours to create, including 700 hours for the embroidery alone, and featured 40,000 Swarovski crystals, 20,000 mother of pearl teardrops and 30,000 stones in gold shades.

Twilight's Peter Facinelli Launches #ifiwereaVampire Campaign to Raise Funds for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation

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Fantapper Campaign Gives Fans Vampire Treatment While Supporting Childhood Cancer Charity

Actor Peter Facinelli, star of THE TWILIGHT SAGA and “Nurse Jackie,” has launched a new effort to raise funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer through an online experience. With the help of Fantapper, Peter has invited fans to submit photos for a special vampire treatment which they can share digitally with their friends. Once the campaign reaches two million viewers, the Southern California Foundation will make a $50,000 donation to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

A longtime supporter of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ASLF), Facinelli hopes to bring new awareness to the organization while engaging with fans through Fantapper.

“Fans can support ALSF without spending a dime – and have some fun in the process,” said Facinelli. “Fantapper gives me a way to connect with people directly and share the things I’m passionate about – like supporting kids and families struggling with childhood cancer. And who wouldn’t want to be turned into a vampire for a great cause?”

“We have been so thrilled to have the continuing support of Peter Facinelli in the battle against childhood cancer,” said Liz Scott, Alex’s mom. “We are hopeful that Peter’s fans – and everyone interested in supporting kids facing childhood cancer – will participate and share #ifiwereaVampire with their friends and family. We think the Fantapper campaign is a win-win opportunity to support our efforts.”

The campaign is currently live and will run through Monday, June 27; full details are available at: www.fantapper.com.

HUMMUS HUNGRY LONDONERS OFFERED FREE MEAL FOR CHARITY

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Hummus Bros is to hold Barter Day on Sunday 19 June offering free meals in exchange for donations to Cancer Research UK

Chickpea inspired eatery Hummus Bros will be giving out free meals on Sunday 19 June in return for donations of clothes, DVDs, books and homeware for Cancer Research UK shops – proving that there is such a thing as a free lunch.

Hungry Londoners can bring their unwanted items into the Wardour Street branch of Hummus Bros where they can haggle the value of their possessions with staff from the Marylebone Cancer Research UK shop. Vouchers will then be given out matching the value – two or three good quality donations should be enough for a completely free meal!

Barter Day runs from midday to 6pm on Sunday 19 June at Hummus Bros, 88 Wardour Street, Soho, W1F 0TH and all quality donations will be accepted. For directions please visit www.hbros.co.uk/soho . With Barter Day, Hummus Bros continues to offer unprecedented value while being socially and environmentally responsible – keeping your conscience and tummy happy.

Christian Mouysset, co-owner and co-founder of Hummus Bros, said: “After such a successful response to our first event we were more than happy to get involved and offer our customers a free lunch whilst donating to a good cause.”

April Sherlock, Cancer Research UK Area Manager, said: “We need good quality donations now more than ever. This is the perfect way to support the charity while also bagging yourself some free food. We are really grateful for Hummus Bros’ generous help. Cancer Research UK are entirely funded by the public and it is events like this that help us deliver our life saving research.”

PASSING THE PARCEL OF WISHES; Make-A-Wish Foundation UK marks its 25th anniversary

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PASSING THE PARCEL OF WISHES

Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK marks its 25th anniversary with an attempt to break the world record for the biggest ‘Pass the Parcel’

Residents in the capital witnessed the arrival of the world’s biggest Pass the Parcel attempt, as the charity Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK celebrated its 25th birthday in style.

Celebrity supporter and former S Club Seven band member Hannah Spearritt waved off the parcel on a large 7.5 tonne flat bed truck, as it set off on a magical ten-day tour, granting 25 special wishes to young people who are fighting life-threatening illnesses and the hospitals that care for them.
The enormous parcel, wrapped as a gigantic present, measures 3.35m length, 2.44m breadth and 1.88m depth – a total of 15.37 cubic metres – and features the following amazing features: –

· It is made from 120 metres of sustainable wood – the length of a full-sized football pitch

· It is made from 740.5 square metres of specially printed wrapping material

· The wrapping features 7000 Make-A-Wish stars

· The parcel weighs in at an immense 460 kilos, which is 72 stone!

· The size of the parcel will beat the current world record by 40%

The parcel will tour towns and cities across the UK from 7th June to 16th June 2011, covering an estimated 1,680 miles, plus approximately 180 nautical miles, during its epic expedition. The parcel must complete a giant circular tour of the UK in order to beat the world record. At each stop, a layer will be peeled off by the child or hospital staff to reveal the gift. The exciting journey began at Evelina Children’s Hospital in London; the first of 25 wish-granting stops in the UK.

Neil Jones, Make-A-Wish Chief Executive, comments: “This June, we are celebrating a wonderful milestone in the history of Make-A-Wish; 25 years of making wishes a reality. Since 1986, we have had a single purpose: to grant magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses, and we want to rally as much support as we can to help us on our wishgranting journey over the next 25 years.

“The Pass the Parcel tour is a fantastic way of delivering a wish in a very special way to children, hospices and hospitals around the nation. It’s our way of saying thank you to all those people who have helped and, of course, put the smiles back on the faces of the young people who have been through so much.

“We hope that the tour will encourage everyone to follow us on our journey and support us by donating whatever they can to help make our 25th anniversary year our best year ever.”

If you would like to make a donation or discuss a child or young person who may be eligible for a wish , please call 01276 40 50 60.

Follow the Pass the Parcel Tour and keep up to date with Make-A-Wish activities by visiting www.make-a-wish.org.uk, follow us on twitter at twitter.com/#!/makeawishuk (@MakeAWishuk) and become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/makeawishfoundationuk, where regular updates about our activities will be shared.

Royal Wedding Playlist; The Songs For Kate and William.

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Frost and MUZU’s music video experts have been busy researching William and Kate facts and debating song choices in order to come up with the ultimate street party playlist for the royal wedding on Friday.

We have selected songs that will most resonate with William and Kate, and which may even be among special requests given to Guy Pelly, Prince Harry’s close friend, who will be DJ-ing at the reception.

http://www.muzu.tv/wedding/. There is also a competition to win a £100 gig voucher. We’re inviting people to watch our first dance playlist and vote for the song they think will be Will and Kate’s first dance http://www.muzu.tv/wedding/1st-dance?channelId=818636).

Here’s our MUZU.TV royal wedding street party playlist:

1. Adele – Make You Feel My Love

This song was originally written by Bob Dylan, who has an honorary degree from St Andrews University, where William and Kate met – at breakfast. Adele made the song famous again with her debut album ‘19’.


ADELE – Make You Feel My Love

2. Paul McCartney – Dance Tonight [Video ID 215641]

It’s widely reported that William and Kate have asked Macca to sing some Beatles classics at their wedding. Sir Paul does have a tradition of performing for royalty and was a highlight of the televised concert to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. There’s another connection: cakes. Fiona Cairns, who is making the royal wedding cake, also supplies Paul McCartney with a Christmas cake every year.


Paul McCartney – Dance Tonight

3. Abba – Dancing Queen

The team wanted to include at least one Abba song for Kate who loves the 80s Swedish band. She also looks a little bit like the young Frida Lyngstad (one of the two girls that made up the band).


Abba – Dancing Queen

http://www.muzu.tv/abba/dancing-queen-music-video/210780

4. Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling [Video ID 482065]

The Black Eyed Peas performed at the 2007 Diana Tribute Concert and it’s rumoured that they’re invited on Friday. Looking at their schedule they certainly don’t have any live performances booked…


Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling

5. Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life [Video ID 54057]

…as featured in the classic 1987s films, Dirty Dancing, starring Patrick Swayze. William loves 80s dance music and the couple have been snapped smooching on dance floors in the past… perhaps he plans to surprise his bride-to-be with his own version of ‘the lift’ on Friday?


Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life

6. Dancing in the Street – David Bowie / Mick Jagger [Video ID 34355]

The British public voted this as their number on street party song for the Royal Wedding, according to a PRS for MUSIC. Also Mick Jagger serenaded William and Kate and a crowd of people at a party to celebrate the famous Basil’s Bar on the privately owned island of Mustique in 2008. Flamboyant owner Charles Basil is said to have been invited to the wedding.


David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing In The Street

7. Kings Of Leon – Sex On Fire

The band met Harry backstage when they played London’s O2 last December and drummer Nathan Followhill thrashed him at table tennis that same night. Nathan has since said he’d be delighted to play for either brother’s weddings. We’re not sure he made it onto the guest list for Friday though.


Kings Of Leon – Sex On Fire

8. Elton John – Candle in the Wind [Video ID 236869]

Three reasons for picking this song. First, Sir Elton John is a solid friend of the princes, and has been invited the wedding. Second, the song is closely associated with Princess Diana after he sung it at her funeral in 1997, also in Westminster Abbey (the single went on to sell more 33 million copies worldwide, and is the best selling single in history…) And third, it was voted top choice for the couple’s first dance by the British public according to PRS for MUSIC.


Elton John – Candle In The Wind

9. George Michael – Faith

George was a close friend or Princess Diana’s but we’re told he didn’t get an invitation to the wedding. He has however recorded a cover of Stevie Wonder’s romantic 1972 track ‘You And I’ for the couple as a wedding gift! It has reportedly been given the royal seal approval from the Palace. The team chose the 80s classic Faith, in tribute to Williams love of 80s music – we’re sorry we didn’t have more space for Spandau Ballet, Culture Club, Wham…


George Michael – Faith

10. Katy Perry – Firework

A great celebration track. Katy Perry says she plans to gatecrash the wedding, with Russell Brand dressed up as the Queen. We’re not sure they have our blessing…


Katy Perry – Firework

11. Marili Harwood – Billy William & Kate’s Royal Wedding

The 36-year old singer made history this month when she became the first woman to secure a maternity clause in her contract with a record label – in her case, Island records. She won’t work more than 20 hours a week in the second trimester of her pregnancy and can stop work on 1 July (her baby is due in August).


Marli Harwood – Billy (William & Kate’s Royal Wedding)

12. James Blunt – Stay the Night

James Blunt is taking a day off from his North American tour to be at Westminster Abbey April 29. Blunt and Will both served in the British army’s Household Cavalry, though not at the same time. Instead of the obvious ‘You’re Beautiful’ we chose one of Blunt’s new songs. The lyrics are pretty appropriate for the end of reception: “I hope you stay the night, the morning on its way, our friends all say good bye there’s no where else to go, I hope you stay the night…” We reckon she probably will, Will.


wedding

KEITH LEMON UNLEASHS HIS INNER TEMPAH AND ROCKS HIS SHADES FOR TEENAGE CANCER TRUST

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Comedian Keith Lemon is asking people to make like their favourite shade-wearing celebrities and support Teenage Cancer Trust’s annual ‘Rock Your Shades’ day on Friday 6 May. Whether it’s in the style of Lady Gaga, Tinie Tempah or even Elton John, Keith wants everyone to wear their shades with attitude and donate to the cause.

Whether you’re at work, school, indoors or out, the charity is asking people to act like Jay-Z and Beyonce, by strutting your stuff and wearing your sunnies. In return, the charity is asking people to donate £1 to Teenage Cancer Trust and help young people across the UK fight cancer.

To make the event even more exciting, Teenage Cancer Trust has teamed up with TOPMAN and a group of young cancer patients who were treated on a Teenage Cancer Trust unit, to design four pairs of unique ‘Rock Your Shades’ sunglasses. These cool shades can be purchased from all TOPMAN stores from 16 April and will cost £15 each, with £5 of every pair sold donated to the charity.

For those wanting to get more involved, there’s a range of suggestions on the charity’s website, such as holding fancy dress sunglass wearing themed celebrity parties where you can imitate stars like Kanye West, Bono or even Dame Edna Everage! Or you can even run a ‘bling your shades’ competition at work or a sunglasses-themed bake sale.

Keith is currently hosting ITV1’s new primetime entertainment show, Sing if You Can, alongside Queen of the Jungle Stacey Solomon. Every episode will see two celebrity teams trying to deliver the best performances of hits and classics whilst taking on extraordinary challenges designed to distract them. The hosts will unleash an abundance of thrilling and comical challenges that will test the stars as never before. Each week the winning team will go through to the end game ‘The Money Spinner’, to be in with a chance of winning up to £20,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust.

‘Rock Your Shades’ is derived from Teenage Cancer Trust’s strong rock heritage. With help from the charity’s long-standing patron, The Who’s Roger Daltrey CBE, Teenage Cancer Trust has been staging sell-out annual gigs at the Royal Albert Hall for the past eleven years. The concerts have become a staple of the music calendar and this year saw acts such as Squeeze, Beady Eye, Biffy Clyro and Tinie Tempah taking to the stage. The proceeds of the shows and Rock Your Shades helps give teenagers the fight and attitude they need to beat cancer.

Every day six young people in the UK are told they have cancer. Usually placed on a children’s ward or with elderly patients, young people often feel extremely isolated when facing a cancer diagnosis, never meeting another young person going through the same thing. Teenage Cancer Trust believes teenagers shouldn’t stop being teenagers because they have cancer and so fund and build specialist units in NHS hospitals that allow young people to be treated together with others their own age, in an environment suited to their needs.

Teenage Cancer Trust units aren’t like ordinary cancer wards. Their home-from-home atmosphere helps create a sense of normality. The state-of-the-art units are bright and vibrant and will often include things like pool tables, jukeboxes, games consoles, computers and webcams, ensuring they can keep in touch with family friends outside hospital. Alongside all of this is a medical team of teenage cancer specialists whose knowledge creates a body of expertise that’s second to none.

To make your £1 donation and for more ‘Rock Your Shades’ fundraising ideas please visit www.teenagecancertrust.org/rockyourshades or call 020 7612 0370. To purchase the Teenage Cancer Trust Rock Your Shades sunglasses please visit one of its 165 stores or online at www.topman.com