| Engineers and geoscientists,
start your sneakers. It’s
time again for the World Partnership Walk in Calgary and
Edmonton, and organizer Karim Abbany, E.I.T., encourages
fellow APEGGA members to back up their ideals with their
feet, May 30.
“Last year, the walk raised record funds of more than $3.25
million across Canada,” said the Calgary member. “Thank
you to all the participants, volunteers, donors, corporate
sponsors and awareness partners. Their efforts will go a
long way in making a difference in the fight against global
poverty.”
Put on by the non-profit Aga Khan Foundation, this year’s
walk will raise money that’s likely destined for rebuilding
Afghanistan, said Mr. Abbany. The foundation always puts
its money to the best advantage, leveraging it by working
with other organizations. The Canadian International Development
Agency matches walk pledges, and none of the money raised
goes towards administration of the foundation.
Mr. Abbany emphasizes that the foundation supports long-term,
maximum-effect solutions in the poorest parts of Asia and
Africa. The money is used for infrastructure, health, education,
training and the like, and the foundation carefully monitors
progress.
Mr. Abbany invites corporations, individuals and teams to
take part in the 20th annual World Partnership Walk on Sunday,
May 30, in Prince’s Island Park in Calgary and in the
Edmonton Legislature Grounds. Even if you don’t walk
this year, Mr. Abbany encourages you to show up and find
out more about the foundation and its efforts. The event
starts in each city at 11 a.m.
In Calgary, the walk is five kilometres long, and Edmonton
participants can choose between three- and seven-km walks.
Walks take place the same day in Victoria, Vancouver, Winnipeg,
Kitchener, London, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.
A great way to become involved is to set up corporate teams
through the Awareness Partner Program. In the battle of Alberta
last year, 45 of the teams in Calgary raised over $35,000.
Edmonton’s 40 awareness teams raised over $30,000.
Many corporate heavy-hitters are already on board. TransAlta’s
Jim Dinning, the Alberta Government’s former treasurer,
is the honorary chair of the event.
Matrikon, TransCanada
PipeLines, Precision Drilling, Scotia Bank, Gowling, and
Encana are also entering teams.
On request, the Calgary committee will put on lunch-and-learn
sessions, which provide basic information on the walk and
why you or your company should participate. A session takes
about 20 minutes, with time for questions and answers.
Aga Khan Foundation is a non-profit international development
agency established in Canada in 1980. As part of the worldwide
Aga Khan Development Network, the foundation supports development
projects that benefit the poor in Africa and Asia, without
regard to race, religion or political affiliation.
The network is a non-denominational group of agencies established
in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Imam, or spiritual
leader, of the Ismaili Muslims. The first World Partnership
Walk was held in Vancouver in 1985, after the Ismaili Women’s
Organization there approached the Aga Khan Foundation Canada
to find a way to help the poorest of the poor in Asia and
Africa.
The first walk, held in Stanley Park, raised $30,000. Now,
the total amount raised tops $23 million after 19 annual
walks. About 60,000 Canadians are involved in some way, each
year.
WORLD PARTNERSHIP WALK
11 a.m.
Sunday
May 30, 2004
Calgary
5 km
Prince’s Island Park
Edmonton
3 and 7 km
Legislature Grounds
Other Participating Cities
Victoria, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Kitchener,
London, Toronto,
Ottawa and Montreal
MORE INFORMATION
For more information or to take part in the World Partnership
Walk,
Visit www.worldpartnershipwalk.com
Or contact
Karim Abbany, E.I.T.
e-mail wpwcalgary@shaw.ca
tel. (403) 730-3168
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