28 FEBRUARY 2005 OFFICIALLY PROCLAIMED CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY DAY IN UNITED STATES

28 FEBRUARY 2005 OFFICIALLY PROCLAIMED CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY DAY IN UNITED STATES

NEW YORK, 28 February (United Nations Fund for International Partnerships) -- To recognize and promote the tremendous philanthropic work of corporations in communities around the world, New York Governor Pataki, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and US Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans proclaimed 28 February 2005 as “Corporate Philanthropy Day”.

The United Nations Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP) welcomes this increased focus on philanthropy as an avenue to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  Corporations can contribute to the success of the Goals, not only by providing funding but, perhaps more crucially, the technology and expertise so vital in the developmental process.  Over the past several years, the UNFIP has seen the positive impact corporate philanthropy has had in the developing world, and encourages creative partnerships between corporations and the UN system for creating sustainable livelihoods.  According to UNFIP’s Executive Director, Mr. Amir Dossal, “Corporate Philanthropy Day represents just such an opportunity, to engage captains of industry in social causes, and generate greater interest in both the UN’s work and the MDGs in particular.”

The day will be marked by the Annual Members Meeting and Excellence Awards Luncheon of the Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy (CECP), the only national forum of business CEOs and Chairpersons with an agenda focused exclusively on corporate philanthropy.  Awards will be made to General Electric, Novartis, and Arch Chemicals, in recognition of their philanthropic work, and to the non-profit organization Jumpstart for distinguishing itself by building an effective partnership with a corporation in its community.  Mr. Charles Moore, Executive Director of the CECP stated, “We are delighted to be able to raise awareness of humanitarian needs and encourage business leaders to think about social causes.  Through UNFIP we are engaging with the United Nations system to find creative ways to connect the public, private and independent sectors.”

The United Nations Fund for International Partnerships promotes new United Nations partnerships and alliances worldwide.  Established by Secretary-General Kofi Annan in March 1998, the UNFIP is an autonomous trust fund set up to serve as the interface between the United Nations system and the United Nations Foundation (UNF), the public charity responsible for administering, over a period of 15 years, Ted Turner’s $1 billion contribution in support of United Nations causes.  Over the years, the UNFIP has expanded its functions to provide a “one-stop” service for partnership opportunities with the United Nations family. 

The Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) is the national forum of business CEOs and Chairpersons with an agenda exclusively focused on corporate philanthropy.  The Committee’s mission is to raise the level and quality of strategic corporate giving nationally and globally by identifying, educating, promoting, and recognizing best practices and measurements of corporate philanthropy.  The Committee represents corporate leaders in their pursuit to better serve communities.

For more information about Corporate Philanthropy Day contact:  Camilla Schippa, Outreach Officer, UNFIP, e-mail:  schippa@un.org, tel.:  212 963-3441; or Cari Parsons, Director, CECP, tel.:  212-825-1252.

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