BY A STAFF REPORTER

LOS ANGELES, CA - Over 2,500 people from all walks of life participated in the L.A. Partnership Walk at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct 12.

The Walk raised over $250,000. Twenty-five people, called “Ambassador 1000s” raised over $1000 each. 100% of funds raised at the Walk go directly to the projects supported by the Foundation; not a cent is spent on administrative costs.

The 3-kilometer 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. Thirty-three teams from corporations, universities, schools and community organizations took a step to demonstrate their support for ending global poverty.

At the opening ceremony, U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman said, “by being here at the Partnership Walk, you are expressing your conviction that positive change is possible through grassroots participation. The Aga Khan Foundation has modeled programs are really showing that a lot can be done, not only by the Aga Khan Foundation, but by other organizations, that follow its lead in education, health care, rural development, microfinance and the environment.”  He presented to the Foundation, a United States Flag that flew in Washington DC, during the July 4th, 2008 celebrations.

Sherman toured the interactive exhibits on site that showcased the Aga Khan Foundation’s innovative solutions for reducing poverty in Africa and Asia.  Other distinguished guests included L.A. City Council members Bernard Parks and Dennis P. Zine;  J.R. Reviczky, Mayor of Hermosa Beach;  J.Curtis Park, President of the World Affairs Council; Captain Calvin Beard of the California Highway Patrol; and Samia Rashid, President, Aga Khan Council for Western USA among others.  Council member Bernard Parks of L.A.’s 8th District, in a welcome address, expressed his support for continuing to hold Partnership Walk in downtown L.A. at the Memorial Coliseum for many years to come.  He highlighted that “every cent raised goes towards helping people and we know that the money is not going anywhere else ….  The Foundation does not give a handout but a hand up.”

Consul Generals from Bangladesh, Belize, Kenya and Pakistan also graced the event along with the Consul from Azerbaijan, who noted that “the Walk is a true inspiration as it demonstrates how harmony and cooperation within one community can and should be duplicated in other communities in the fight against poverty and the struggle to improve quality of life.”

In a message, the First Lady of California, Maria Shriver applauded “the Foundation’s active stance on raising awareness on poverty and working together to create long-term solutions to ending this problem.” Following the Walk, there was an entertainment program which featured a multicultural mix of music, dance and performances celebrating the diversity of world cultures.

One of the Walk’s most inspiring features was the Village in Action, where participants of all ages had an opportunity to engage in interactive activities and learn how people in developing countries create innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of low income, poor health conditions and limited educational opportunities. Through displays, exhibits and hands-on demonstrations, the Village in Action showcased the positive results that are achieved through the Aga Khan Foundation’s development programs. Participants traveled virtually to learn about issues in microfinance, solutions to health care in India, environmental projects in Mali, water projects in Afghanistan and India, and educational programs in Tajikistan and East Africa.  Through this process, youth, in particular, gain a deeper understanding of global citizenship and social responsibility.

The annual event is held in five major cities across the U.S. to raise awareness and funds to alleviate global poverty and promote partnerships between America and the developing world. The Walk is an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. (AKF USA) and its network of volunteers in communities across the US, to involve young and old in a compassionate effort as global citizens to build bridges of hope that reach across boundaries of race, religion, age and gender. Nationwide, over 30,000 are expected to participate in Partnership Walk, also held in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Houston.

The 2008 theme for Partnership Walk, “Planting Our Future,” spotlighted the extraordinary success, expansion and impact of rural support programs pioneered by the Aga Khan Foundation, initiated in northern Pakistan in 1982 and expanded to nine other countries.