Record Number of Canadians Join Fight Against Global Poverty

OTTAWA - The 22nd annual World Partnership Walk brought together tens of thousands of Canadians in nine cities across the country, Sunday, to fight poverty in the developing world. The largest and longest running event of its kind in Canada, the Walk this year is estimated to have raised $4.8 million and to have brought out more than 38,000 participants - a new record. Notable personalities attending this year's Walk included Her Excellency, The Honourable Mme. Lise Thibault, Lieutenant Governor of Québec; The Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia; His Worship Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver and His Worship David Miller, Mayor of Toronto.

An initiative of Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), a registered Canadian charity, the Walk was held on May 28, 2006 in Montreal, Toronto, Kitchener, London, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria and on June 4 in Ottawa.

The Walk's continuing success is a tangible sign of the commitment of
individual Canadians to the cause of global poverty alleviation. All of the
funds raised by participants go directly to programs in health, education,
rural development, as well as support for community-led initiatives in
Asia and Africa. Not a cent is spent on administration. Support for the Walk also helps AKFC leverage additional contributions from major
donors like the Canadian International Development Agency.

By participating in the Walk, Canadians are taking strides to fight
global poverty, said Mr. Khalil Shariff, CEO of AKFC. "Canadians have a
tradition of caring about the world, which finds expression in the World
Partnership Walk," Mr. Shariff said. "The programs made possible by this event and its thousands of supporters, both individual and corporate, are helping to enhance the lives and livelihoods of families in some of the poorest and most isolated regions of the world -- places like the high mountain communities of Pakistan and Afghanistan and remote coastal villages in Mozambique and Kenya."

This year, some 900 corporate sponsors were involved, including our
Premier sponsor Industrial Promotions Services Ltd. (IPS), Platinum sponsors Scotiabank and KFC Pirani Group; and Gold sponsors RBC Foundation, Samco Printers Ltd., Pharmassist/IDA, Dynasty Furniture, Dynamic Furniture, T&T Honda, Country Hills Toyota and Mayfield Toyota. Our National Media Partners were The Globe and Mail and Asian Television Network.

For further information: Jennifer Morrow, Communications,
1-800-267-2532, ext 107, jennifer@akfc.ca

Aga Khan Foundation

Source: cnw.ca - Thursday, June 8, 2006

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