For Immediate Release

Canadians Raise Record Amount to Fight Global Poverty

OTTAWA, June 16 - The annual World Partnership Walk brought together tens of thousands of Canadians in ten cities across the country to fight poverty in the developing world. The largest event of its kind in Canada, the Walk this year is estimated to have raised close to $6 million and to have brought out more than 70,000 participants, donors and sponsors. Some 38,000 Canadians came out on Walk Day. Among them were more than 900 corporate and community teams. Online fundraising through worldpartnershipwalk.com also set a new record, raising $1.8 million.

An initiative of Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) and its national network of volunteers, the Walk is held every year in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, London, Kitchener, Toronto, Ottawa and Montréal.

All of the funds raised by participants (100%) go directly to international development programs, including initiatives in health, education, rural development, as well as support for community-based organizations 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.

The Walk’s continuing success is a tangible sign of the commitment of individual Canadians to the cause of global poverty alleviation, said Mr. Khalil Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of AKFC. “For more than 25 years, our supporters have made great strides in the fight against poverty in the developing world,” Mr. Shariff said. “Thanks to Canadian support, impoverished communities in Asia and Africa have been empowered to make positive, lasting changes to their lives and livelihoods.”

This year, some 900 corporate sponsors were involved. A significant contribution was made to the Walk by our National Media Sponsor, The Globe and Mail; our Premier sponsor, The Nisku Inn and Conference Centre; and our platinum sponsors, Parmalat, Scotiabank and IPS Canada.

For further information contact:
Laurie Peters
Director of Public Affairs
1-800-267-2532, ext. 120 or 613-796-2532
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