PRESS RELEASE
+ Press Release
August 7, 2006
Coalition for a Sustainable Africa (CSAfrica) Debuts at the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto With "Survive & Thrive" an Interactive Presentation and Expert Panel on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 at 12:30pm in the Global Village
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TORONTO, ONTARIO - A new consortium, Coalition for a Sustainable Africa ( CSAfrica ), determined to change minds at the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto this month, emerges to present an alternative and timely solution in the fight against AIDS, promoting sustainable development in order to help the children being left behind. Spearheaded by Stephan McGuire of Tree Media, NextAid, Necessity Housing, Empowerment Works, and joined by various other organizations, CSAfrica will present an interactive session titled Survive and Thrive: Sustainable Centers and Economic Enterprise for AIDS Orphans on Wednesday, August 16, 2006, from 12:30pm - 2:00pm in the Global Village - Session Hall 2. For more information on CSAfrica please visit www.csafrica.org.
This interactive session explores the particular needs of children orphaned by AIDS and their caretakers, and cover strategies and lessons learned for building sustainably-designed children's villages and orphanages, which include learning, arts and economic enterprise. CSAfrica's 90-minute presentation features an inspirational short-film created and directed by Los Angeles based agency, Reverge. The film, which includes animated imagery and cutting edge visuals, offers viewers a glimpse into the inner workings of the coalition in response to the current situation in Africa. A compelling panel of experts including representatives from Global Action for Children, AIDS Project Los Angeles, FXB International, and Kids & Teens Concerns follows a unique interactive village-building exercise. The presentation provides education regarding the application of sustainable design principles in addressing the continent's orphan crisis; bringing together like-minded relief organizations to stimulate appropriate action to support orphans, and creating a call to action by conference participants and their associated organizations.
After more than 20 years of devastation caused by AIDS throughout the world, but particularly heavy in sub-Saharan Africa, it is deplorable that only 10% of children orphaned by AIDS receive any public services. CSAfrica has found the need to rally a call to action on behalf of the children and the world, by joining forces, and identifying projects throughout Africa that are founded on the principles of sustainable development. CSAfrica recognizes that the future of Africa is its children, and it is dedicated to not only meeting their immediate needs, but also provide them with a safe, secure and sustainable future, and believes this will help assure global stability for future generations. By compassionately responding to AIDS as the number one social justice issue of our time, we seek to reclaim the moral dignity of humanity for Africa and the world.
Members of the coalition currently include: Necessity Housing, Nyumbani Village, Empowerment Works, TunaHAKI, Village Renaissance, Africa As One, Earth Rights, The Samburu Project, Make A Change Productions, Tree Media and NextAid.
In addition, on Thursday, August 17, 2006, CSAfrica is involved with NextAid's Sustainable Groove benefit dance music event held at 5ive Nightclub, a popular downtown club, with award-winning DJs including jojoflores, Aaron Mossey, and Sydney Blu. The goal of Sustainable Groove is to raise awareness of the issues faced by children orphaned by AIDS. These types of events connect with a younger demographic in a manner that is more exciting and accessible for them, while raising funds to support the communities in which NextAid is active. With support from Fusicology (www.fusicology.com) and other local businesses, Sustainable Groove is a Beat Detective event to benefit NextAid. The nightclub is located at 5 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1J6. For more information on the venue call 416-964-8685 or visit www.5ivenightclub.com. For more information on NextAid please visit www.nextaid.org.
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For more information or to set up interviews with NextAid co-founder Lauren Segal please contact Lynn Hasty from Green Galactic at 213-840-1201 or send Lynn an email.
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"We will win the battle for Africa, which is in effect a battle for Humanity."
Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal and the founder of the Senegalese Democratic Party
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