UNICEF’s share will go to the Schools for Africa projects in seven countries and two projects in Russia and China. Save the Children’s equal share will support education for children in some of the most marginalized groups (minorities and children with disabilities) in Asia (Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines) and Eastern Europe (Lithuania and Romania).

Non-profit organization Walk4Water makes an unprecedented journey to bring awareness and resources to those in need

(Chicago – January (29), 2012)- Walk4Water, a non-profit organization committed to raising awareness and funds for clean water in developing countries, is set to embark on a two year, 7,000 mile mission across the country to achieve their goal. Led by 23-year-old Amy Russell, a group of three volunteers will become the first U.S. citizens to walk this far across Africa.

“4,000 children will die today from water-related diseases,’ said Russell. “We feel committed and compelled to help those who are in most desperate need of the most basic necessity of life. We’re raising awareness and funds, and trying to prove that ‘impossible’ doesn’t exist.”

About the Walk

The journey is equivalent to the distance of walking from New York City to California, and back to Chicago. The team, consisting of Russell, Aaron Tharp and Marty Yoder, will begin walking on January 27 in Cape Town, South Africa and continue through several countries including:

South Africa
Mozambique
Tanzania
Kenya
Ethiopia
Sudan
Egypt

Russell and the volunteers will walk six days a week, for about eight hours a day. The team plans to camp or stay with people that they meet along the way, joining with other grassroots organizations already working to create sustainable water solutions in Africa.

The Walk4Water team can also be tracked on their website with a GPS map for supporters to follow their journey. Their U.S. volunteer team will update their social media channels and website to include recent news, accept donations, and offer options for those at home to get involved in the mission.

Russell founded the non-profit organization, Walk4Water, while she was still in college at North Park University.

“Walk4Water was birthed out of an idea, backed by compassion for people, a passion for justice, and the decision to take a risk, knowing it is worth it,” said Russell.

According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF, 1 in 8 people don’t have access to clean water.

About Walk4Water

Walk4Water is a non-profit organization that is run completely by volunteers to educate and advocate for clean water in developing countries. The vision is that one day safe water will be a reality for everyone, and serve as a building block to eliminate poverty as a whole. 100% of the funds raised are given to charity: water, an organization which donates all of its proceeds to support water projects in developing nations. To follow the walk across Africa, or learn more about how you can get involved, visit Walk4Water’s website: www.walking4water.org, Facebook: Walking4Water, Twitter: @TeamWalk4Water, Blog: Walking4Water or Picasa: Walk Africa for pictures throughout the journey.

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Kenya-based Portland Communications and Tweetminster published findings indicating Twitter in Africa is widely used for social conversation and is fast becoming an important source of information. More than 80 percent of those polled said they mainly used it for communicating with friends, 68 percent said they use it to monitor news and 22 percent to search for jobs, the companies said.

The research analyzed more than 11.5 million geographically pinpointed tweets originating on the continent during the last three months of 2011. That was complemented by a survey of 500 of Africa’s most active tweeters.

South Africans, with the continent’s biggest economy, were the most prolific with over twice as many tweets at 5,030,226 than the next most active country of Kenya with 2,476,800 tweets. Surprisingly, Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria, had only 1,646,212 tweets from its more than 160 million people. It was followed by Egypt with 1,214,062 and Morocco with 745,620 tweets.

African tweeters are young, averaging 20 to 29 years, compared to 39 worldwide, the report said. And some 57 percent of analyzed tweets were sent from mobile phones, mainly BlackBerrys and iPhones.

The researchers noted how few African business and political leaders were joining Africa’s burgeoning Twittersphere.

“With some notable exceptions, we found that business and political leaders were largely absent from the debates playing out on Twitter across the continent,” they said. “As Twitter lifts off in Africa, governments, businesses and development agencies can really no longer afford to stay out of a new space where dialogue will increasingly be taking place. . .”

-Associated Press

“She has street cred, she has a ghetto a** and she has a golden throat. Rihanna, the good girl gone bad, is the ultimate nigga bitch and displays that gladly, and for her that means: what’s on can come off. If that means she’ll be on stage half naked, then so be it. But Dutch winters aren’t like Jamaican ones, so pick a clothing style in which your daughter can resist minus ten. No to the big sunglasses and the pornheels, and yes to the tiger print, pink shizzle and everything that glitters. Now let’s hope she won’t beat anybody up at daycare.” -Jackie Magazine

Rihanna cursed the Magazine out on her Twitter page:

@evajackie I hope u can read English, because your magazine is a poor representation of the evolution of human rights! I find you disrespectful, and rather desperate!! You ran out of legit, civilized information to print! There are 1000′s of Dutch girls who would love to be recognized for their contributions to your country, you could have given them an article. Instead, u paid to print one degrading an entire race! That’s your contribution to this world! To encourage segregation, to mislead the future leaders to act in the past!“You put two words together, with the intent of abasement, that made no sense…”N—A B—H”?!….Well with all respect, on behalf of my race, here are my two words for you…F–K YOU!!!” – Rihanna

After an outcry from Rihanna and the Black community, the Editor-in-Chief responded with:

Dear readers,

First: thanks for all your responses. We are of course very fed up over this and especially very shocked. However I’m glad that we’re engaging in a dialogue on this page — not everybody does that. Thanks for this. Other than that I can be brief about this: this should have never happened.Period. While the author meant no harm — the title of the article was intended as a joke — it was a bad joke, to say the least. And that slipped through my, the editor-in-chief’s, fingers. Stupid, painful and sucks for all concerned. The author has been addressed on it, and now I can only ensure that these terms will no longer end up in the magazine. Furthermore I hope that you all believe there was absolutely no racist motive behind the choice of words. It was stupid, it was naive to think that this was an acceptable form of slang — you hear it all the time on tv and radio, then your idea of what is normal apparently shifts — but it was especially misguided: there was no malice behind it. We make our magazine with love, energy and enthusiasm, and it can sometimes happen that someone is out of line. And then you can only do one thing: apologize. And hope that others wish to accept it.

From the bottom of my heart I say it again: we never intended to offend anyone. And I mean that.

Regards,

Eva Hoek

My response? What is there to be so angry about? I am not interested in being politically correct. I am interested in calling this as it is.

In recent times, Dr. Maya Angelou voiced her opposition to rapper Common’s use  of  “Nigga” in a collaboration they did together. She argued she had no notice her contribution would end up being merged with Common’s in such manner. Common justified his use and explained it was a generational difference and both parties can agree to disagree. Really? Common, are you serious? Some years ago, I recall watching the Oprah show. Jay-Z was on the show and at some point, the issue centered around the use  of the “N” word in hip-hop music. Jay-Z again justified the use of the “N” word in much the same way Common did. He saw no problems with saying “Nigga” as opposed to the word “Nigg*r” and concluded, just like Common, that Oprah and him can agree to disagree. Really, Jay-Z?

Raise your hands if you have also heard these justifications in your local communities from Black persons. Almost 20years ago when I returned to the USA from Nigeria, I recall my time in the 11th grade and specifically my US History class. In that class, I learned about African-American history and journey. I learned about the “N” word and its deeply rooted history and negative impact on the black community. The empathy I felt for such horrible slave history of which Africans on the continent were partly contributory, remains indescribable. Shockingly, since high school until now, I have heard and continue to hear the use of the “N” word by Blacks both in a commercial (entertainment) and non-commercial sense. Highly disturbing for me is the constant explanation by Blacks that there is a so called distinction. Like seriously? “For real?” I missed the memo.

Music is a deeply personal experience and its success usually means the consumer of such music incorporates it into his/her lifestyle. Successful artists and record labels have flooded the homes of  millions, worldwide, with music that includes  the “N” and “B” word  by Black hip-hop artists. Heard Nicki Minaj’s latest single? It is all about the bitches and the hoes. Anyway, in return, millions of fans around the world have soaked up every lyric, every beat and have emulated the fashion, lingo and things they deem “cool” or flatters them.

These artists and labels are so effective with their marketing and promotions strategies, the  world has bought into what they are selling i.e. “Nigga, Bitch, Hoes.” Do they have some great music, yes. Do they have music that predominantly use these derogatory terms towards women and an entire Black race? In the hip-hop genre, “yes.” Many young people across the globe now identify with hip-hop music and for many, calling each other or others “Nigaa” is simply no big deal. It is a term of endearment and affection. One that can be used to sell clothes in a feature in a magazine or push sales of more music.

These young people who are now the newer crop of musicians in mainstream, newer crop of writers, editors, musicians etc. are now using the word quite liberally and irrespective of culture, race or nationality. When they do, the Black community both in the USA and Europe gets angry. Why???!!  We ought to be angry, first, at the continued use and sanction of this word starting within the Black community.  Why be angry at people that many entertainers in the Black community have conditioned to believe it is okay to use the word “Nigga?”

In recent times, I challenged my own community (Nigerian and African community) to stop the use of the N word in African hip-hop music or at a very minimum, bleep the word out. I feel strongly that Africans, particularly, have no business using the N-word, whatever derivative form it may come.

Back to the Rihanna story. Should a magazine publish a headline “NiggaBitch” and article as some form of flattery to Rihanna?” The obvious answer is “NO!!!” However, when many in the Black community and those many look up to like Jay-Z, say the use of the “N” word albeit “Nigga”  is okay, what do you expect from a world and pop culture that adores them? I am having a hard time understanding this constant hypocrisy where the Black community including many who use the “N” word flare up in anger when non-Blacks use it. You don’t want people to call you derogatory names, don’t call yourself that! It is that simple. In a historical context it cannot be justified. If you say today’s 21st century society has taken the potency out of the “N” word, then you don’t get to choose who says it and how it should be said.  At the rate we are going, there will come a time where non-Blacks who use the “N” word will be completely unapologetic for such use. Oops, it is already happening.

This is ridiculously ridiculous, if there is any phrase like that out there. I am tired of the constant flare up by the same community that uses the word very liberally. The Black community has opened the floodgates and it is hard to control the damage at this point. As someone  I know put it best, “The “N” word will stop being used when Whites determine it is time to stop the use.”

Watch a Black basketball player be subjected to use of the “N” word as a tradition by her White teammates.

Watch the controversy over one of the emerging hip-hop artists using the “N” word.

WARNING: EXPLETIVES USED. CLICK AT YOUR DISCRETION

Video Commentary on Nasty V- latest artist to use the N-word

Rapper Hasan Salaam

KRS One on Nigga

-Uduak Oduok, Esq.

“ASA:Nigerian singer, Asa, is the latest African musician to hit it big with audiences in her home continent and beyond. The 29-year-old artist has a growing following in Europe and North America and has opened shows for pop royalty such as Beyonce and Snoop Dogg.

K’Naan: Somalia born rapper K’naan received international acclaim for his 2006 album, The “Dusty Foot Philosopher.” He has since toured with Lenny Kravitz and collaborated with British guitar pop group, Keane.

Nneka: Nigerian singer songwriter, Nneka, says she only started singing in 2005. She has since made up for lost time; winning a MOBO award in 2009 and touring with the likes of Nas and Damien Marley.

2Face: Another of Nigeria’s most popular contemporary musicians. 2Face Idibia found global fame with his hit single, African Queen, in 2006. He has since been recognized with international music awards from MOBO and MTV.

Rocky Dawuni: Dubbed “Ghana’s Bob Marley,” Rocky Dawuni has performed to audiences across the world as well as working with musical legend, Stevie Wonder. . .” CNN International.”

Photocredit: Nicolas Espossito

“(London, UK, November 2011) African visionary and international designer, Ozwald Boateng, in collaboration with Nigerian businessman, Kola Aluko, and Nigerian oil and gas company, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited (“Atlantic Energy” – http://www.atlanticenergy.com), has agreed to establish a multi-million dollar charitable organisation, Made In Africa Foundation, to focus on first-stage funding of infrastructure projects in Africa.

The Foundation will provide “first mile” finance to Africans and African businesses involved in the development of major infrastructure projects in the region. Finance will be awarded for the drafting of feasibility studies and business plans ahead of seeking project finance from sources such as private equity, development finance institutions and commercial banks.

Infrastructure development is the key factor in the transformation of sovereign economies from developing to emerging market status. According to the International Finance Corporation, the estimated financing requirement to close Africa’s infrastructure deficit amounts to US$93 billion annually until 2020. Much of this money is available, but it cannot be applied until the requisite business plans and feasibility studies have been developed to enable capable sponsors and funding to come together. A lack of capital to get to this stage has meant that many opportunities have not been pursued and few projects have been undertaken by Africans or African businesses.

Made In Africa Foundation and Atlantic Energy plan to initially finance independent power project feasibility studies across Africa, and the Ugandan urban renewal master plan for Kampala’s Naguru Nakawa redevelopment.

Ozwald Boateng commented: “It’s a well-known statistic that US$400 million of funding for feasibility studies and master plans across sub-Saharan Africa would develop over US$100 billion of infrastructure projects, which in turn would create a trillion dollars of value across Africa. The first step is often the hardest and we have created this Foundation with Atlantic Energy to make that step easier for Africans.”

Dayo Okusami, General Counsel and Executive Director of Atlantic Energy, added: “Atlantic Energy’s philosophy is based on the pillar of Enduring Commitment − an abiding promise towards corporate responsibility for the sustainable development of infrastructure projects in Nigeria and others parts of Africa. Atlantic Energy is pleased to be a founding donor and supporter of this exceptional charity and we look forward to fostering a continent-wide push for sustainable infrastructure development. In this regard, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited has committed to underwrite US$7 million for the independent power project feasibility studies, the Ugandan urban renewal master plan, as well as the Foundation’s running costs for the first three years.”

About Made In Africa Ltd:
Made In Africa Ltd was founded in 2006 by Ozwald Boateng, Chris Cleverly and Pr. Hassan Kimbugwe. It is a Mauritius-based company dedicated to bringing innovative ideas and capital to Africa. Made In Africa co-hosted with former Ghanaian President Kufor the State Banquet for Ghana’s African Union conference, and the UK’s Department for International Development 2010 Whitehall conference on Growth Corridors. Made In Africa continues advise governments, including that of the UK Prime Minister David Cameron, on infrastructure, innovation and development finance.

About Atlantic Energy:
Atlantic Energy (http://www.atlanticenergy.com) is a private upstream oil and gas group founded by Nigerian and international exploration and production (“E&P”) executives with an extensive track record and experience in the Nigerian E&P sector. The company currently operates in Nigeria and is dedicated to its partners and communities through its Enduring Commitment sustainability program.

Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited is a significant partner in upstream oil and gas assets in Nigeria. . .”

Photocredit: Miles Warren

“The well-known music, culture and current affairs magazine Rolling Stone will launch in South Africa on Wednesday, 23 November, 2011, as a monthly with a cover price of R34.95. It will cover everything from young visionaries and icons to politics, movies and more.

Miles Keylock, Editor-in-Chief, Georgia Gardner, Creative Director,Anton Marshall, Digital Editor – Photo by Andy Lund
Featuring a 50/50 split of local and international content and showcasing South Africa’s diverse creative talent, Rolling Stone South Africa engages local audiences with stories that resonate in their own experiences and lives.

Rolling Stone South Africa’s editor-in-chief, Miles Keylock, said: “It’s about respect for our subject matter and our readers. We focus on real, in-depth pop culture and current affairs stories, not tabloid headlines and hype. You’re not going to get this kind of editorial content in any other magazine in South Africa. We will be featuring kwaito alongside rock, jazz alongside pop, and hip hop alongside house. That potential, to start cross-pollinating cultural conversations, is one of the most exciting things about the magazine.”

The magazine will be produced under licence in South Africa by Cape Town-based 3i Publishing and will feature in-depth, up-close-and-personal profiles on cultural icons and ground-breaking artists, cutting-edge current affairs and provocative pieces on TV, radio, fashion and entertainment trends.

Rolling Stone SA will be available at the following outlets: Exclusive Books, CNA, Musica, Pick ‘n Pay Hyper, Look & Listen, Spar stores nationwide and select outlets. ” – Biz Community

“The Miss Africa USA Organization is proud to Present the new African Queen who will be representing Africa in America during her reign as Miss Africa USA 2011 – 2012.

The Cameroonian Beauty, Miss Ghyslaine (GiGi) Tchouaga was crowned Miss Africa USA 2011-12 on Sunday Nov 13th in the crowded Hilton Hotel Ballroom in Silver Spring, Maryland. The event which attracted hundreds of Africans and friends of Africa over a very hectic weekend culminated to the coronation of the 22year old Nursing student from Cameroon.

Over 150 African girls registered for the pageant and auditioned to represent their countries this year. 16 finalists representing 16 countries made the cut to the finals and took a shot for he crown. They were all amazing in their presentations and platforms for Africa. Each and everyone of them committed to change the world around them with or without the crown.

For the first time in the Pageant’s seven year history, a Cameroonian walks away with the Crown. Miss Tchouaga who was born in the Nation’s capital Yaounde, some 22years ago, immigrated with her mother and siblings to the United States of America to pursue higher education and more opportunities for the family.

A true Pan-Africanist, Ghyslaine’s priority as stated in her platform is to help save lives in the Horn of Africa. She recognizes the emergency in Somalia and wants to immediately launch her campaign to ‘Feed The Hungry’ in Somalia. She says Cameroon is a very blessed country with enough food to feed even neighboring countries.

In an emotional appeal during platforms presentation, Miss Somalia moved the audience by recognizing Miss Cameroon’s commitment to the crisis in Somalia. She could not believe another finalist could take interest in her country.

While she will focus on saving lives in Somalia she wants to also give back to her native Cameroon by organizing a Medical Mission in Cameroon to help with medical supplies and equipment for hospitals in rural and under developmed areas. She also wants to use her position to advocate for orphans and sick children in Cameroon. Queen Ghyslaine Tchouaga will be working closely with the Leon H Sullivan Foundation and the African Women’s Development Foundation both registered non-profits in the United States of America, to achieve her dreams as a Goodwill Ambassador.

After a series of competition in Platform Presentations and Public Speaking, Talent, Fashion, traditional girl appearance, the top 10 countries were announced. The top 10 were able to compete in one more round of fashion and style before the Judges elected the top five delegates.

The top ten included the following countries: Sierra Leone, Congo, Nigeria, Liberia, Kenya, Republic of Guinee, Ghana, Ethiiopia, Cape Verde and the Republic of Cameroon.

The top five were: Ghana in 5th Place, Nigeria in 4th place, Guinee in 3rd place, Liberia in 3rd place and Cameroon walked home with the Crown.

The Pageant congratulates all 16 delegates who participated in the Pageant this year. They all have a strong passion for their chosen causes and the Pageant organization is working closely with the Leon Howard Sullivan Foundation to give each delegate an opportunity to pursue their passions as Good will Ambassadors through a Special Program called the AFRIPOLITAN CLUBS. More details will follow.

The dynamic Miss Africa USA Pageant team wishes to thank all those who came out to support the pageant this weekend with their friends and families. Special thanks to all the Embassies and Ambassadors who came out, especially the Ambassador of Liberia and Cape Verde for being there to the end, the Embassy of Kenya, Cameroon, Embassy of Ethiopia and Embassy and Gabon.

Special thanks and gratitude to the Miss Africa USA Chair, Mrs Hope Sullivan Masters for giving us her time, commitment and enduring the entire competition to the end. Thanks to the Staff of the Leon Howard Sullivan Foundation for the beautiful Dinner served to the girls and the Guests on the eve of the Pageant.

To all our sponsors, ARIK Airlines, committed to flying the winners to Africa for their mission work we say thank you, to Mike Glanton International Consultancy we thank you for your generous sponsorship. Thanks to Dr. Aretha Makia for doing the most noble thing to donate a scholarship for the winner, we love you and we thank you. To Western Union, Rebtel and 2cAfrica we appreciate your sponsorship and for being there year after year.

Very special appreciation to Little Ethiopia DC, Mr. Tamrat Mehdin for sponsoring the LIMO RIDES, Dinner and Lunch and the most exotic and beautiful Ethiopian restaurants in Little Ethiopia DC. The girls enjoyed delicious meals at the Abyssinia restaurant and Etete restaurant thanks to Little Ethiopia DC.

We are saying thank you to Mrs Astrid Tasong of Vikings Unlimited for sponsoring all the floral bouquets for the pageant, the Red Carpet and for her generousity through out the year, letting us use the Vikings Center for rehearsals and also for auditions. Ms Astrid we salute you.

We give thanks to Mr. Joseph Eyong representing the President of Montgomery County Council Ms Valerie Ervin who served as the Chair of the pageant last year. Thanks to Montgomery County for hosting the pageant in two years and giving us two Queens so far.

A word of appreciation to our Patron Dr. Victor Mbaba all the way from Atlanta Ga, we thank you for your support.

For those who took up vendor opportunities we thank you all for adding value and excitement to the pageant this year by offering beautiful products such as Mary Kay Cosmetics, Naoumi Jewelry, Princess Romy Fashions. We thank all those businesses who took up ads in the Miss Africa Magazine, thank you for being true patriots of Africa.

Thanks to the African Royalty in the House, Mother Africa Mafor Edwan we thank you for gracing the show with your love and support as mother of all children.

We thank the Media who promoted this event to the fullest especially Face2Face Africa, Palava Hut TV, African Vibes Magazine, African Trumpet, Tadias Ethiopian Magazine, EBS TV, Camer TV, Ethiopian Times, Modern Ghana.com, Ladybrille Magazine, Voice of America TV, All Eyes on Africa Magazine and ADUNAGOW Magazine.

A special shout out to my stylist and fashion designer who made sure Lady Kate was looking so fly, Princess Romy Fashions in Maryland. Thank you for dressing me. I am leting our readers know that if they want the best dress for that red carpet event, they can look no further than Princess Romy Designs. . .”

Juhudi Kilimo—which means “effort” and “agriculture” in Swahili—operates in rural areas where farmers typically don’t have access to bank loans. The firm provides Kenyan farmer groups a two-month workshop on agribusiness and financial practices before offering the opportunity to apply for a loan. Farmers can then use the credit to purchase assets such as dairy cows, seeds, farming equipment or irrigation systems that will help generate income, boosting livelihoods and eventually enabling them to pay back loans at below market rates.

“Access to financial services enables rural smallholder farmers to take the leap from subsistence farming to market-based farming, thereby increasing their productivity and income for the long term,” said Amanda Gardiner, Acting Programme Manager for the BCtA. “Juhudi Kilimo is providing farmers with tools to escape the cycle of poverty and earn a sustainable livelihood through its innovative approach to investing.”

According to the 2009 FinAccess National Survey, approximately 75 percent of the Kenyan workforce is involved in agriculture or agriculture-related activities. Many of these farmers lack basic agricultural training, equipment, and market connections they need in order to grow their business.

Since launching the pilot phase from April 2009 through August 2011, Juhudi Kilimo had provided asset financing to over 7,000 smallholder farmers in Kenya, half of them women. The average repayment rate for these loans is 96 percent—a significant indicator of a lack of over-indebtedness.

Providing women farmers with access to finance is a priority for Juhudi Kilimo. Since few women own property they can use as collateral for loans, Kenya female farmers’ access to finance is more limited than men’s, according to a World Bank-sponsored study. Juhudi Kilimo is trying to help empower women by targeting at least 50 percent of loan funding towards female farmers.

“For men and women working in subsistence agriculture, it can be difficult to access credit to purchase farm equipment or farm animals. We seek to bridge that gap through our commitment to provide 100,000 rural smallholder farmers with the opportunity to build their businesses,” said Nat Robinson, CEO of Juhudi Kilimo. “After receiving a loan from Juhudi Kilimo, farmers currently earning US$2 per day or less are expected to double their income. Through membership to the Business Call to Action, we hope to highlight how businesses such as ours can help transform farmers into thriving rural entrepreneurs.”

For further information, please contact:

Juhudi Kilimo, Nairobi: Nat Robinson, nat@juhudikilimo.com, + 254 715 446 615

Business Call to Action, New York: Lorin Kavanaugh-Ulku, lorin@businesscalltoaction.org, +1 703-587-3219

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ABOUT JUHUDI KILIMO: Juhudi Kilimo Company Limited is a for-profit social enterprise that addresses rural economic development in Kenya by providing innovative, agriculture-based, micro-asset financing loans. These specialized loans assist the smallholder farmers in acquiring productive assets such as dairy cows, chickens and irrigation equipment. Juhudi’s product lines bring added value to agriculture, the largest economic field in rural Kenya, by financing assets that offer long-term gains in productivity and provide sustainable wealth creation. Spun off in April 2009, Juhudi first established a five-year track record of success as an asset financing program within the K-Rep Development Agency (KDA), an antipoverty NGO that performs research and product development for the microfinance sector.

About the Business Call to Action: BCtA is a global initiative that seeks to challenge companies to develop inclusive business models that offer the potential for development impact along with commercial success. The initiative is the result of a partnership between the United Nations Development Programme, the UN Global Compact, the Governments of Australia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States, the Clinton Global Initiative and the International Business Leaders Forum to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. www.businesscalltoaction.org