Technology Pioneers, Philanthropists to Receive Africare Humanitarian Award
Accepting on behalf of Bill aand Melinda Gates, Bill Gates Sr., co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will receive Africare's 2003 Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award on Thursday, October 9, 2003, at the Africare Bishop Walker Dinner in Washington, D.C.
The award is presented each year to individuals internationally distinguished for their service to Africa and to world development as well as their embodiment of the principles of peace, justice, and multiracial harmony that were espoused by the late John T. Walker, the first African-American Episcopal bishop of Washington, D.C., and long-time chairman of Africare, for whom the Africare Dinner is named. Past award recipients have included Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu, Sargent Shriver, and Andrew Young, among others.
The Africare Dinner was first held in October 1990 and is now the largest, most prestigious annual event for Africa in the United States. Event proceeds support Africare's mission of humanitarian assistance, now reaching families and communities in 26 nations Africa-wide. The 2003 Africare Dinner will highlight the African HIV/AIDS crisis - seeking to raise U.S. public awareness of the epidemic as well as to generate funds for Africare's HIV/AIDS assistance programs in Africa.
Africare will honor Bill and Melinda Gates for establishing the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is working to improve equity in global health, education, and access to technology. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation exemplifies cutting-edge philanthropy in the 21st century. Both the family and the foundation have shown a commitment to improving the well-being of people around the world, from Africa and other continents to cities and towns in the United States. The foundation's primary global health priority is to stop the transmission of HIV. Its ground-breaking research and prevention programs are achieving outstanding results, while significantly raising public awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Through their foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates have utilized their position as leaders in the technology world to provide access to digital information to all people, regardless of age, race, income, or geographic location. Bill and Melinda Gates are particularly committed to minority student achievement, through scholarship programs, including the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, and their support of small, rigorous schools that give all students the opportunity to succeed.
More information about the Africare Dinner, including how to purchase tickets and tables, can be found on the Africare website: www.africare.org, or by contacting the Africare Bishop Walker Dinner Office at (202) 328-5364 or dinner@africare.org.
Africare is a leader in aid to Africa as well as the oldest and largest African-American organization specializing in African aid. Over its 33-year history, Africare has delivered more than $450 million in assistance - representing over 2,000 projects and millions of beneficiaries-to 35 countries Africa-wide.
