New York — An important new development at the United Nations has made it necessary for the Africa America Institute to reschedule its 50th Anniversary Awards Gala.
The new date and time at the UN will be NOVEMBER 4th, 2003 at 6:15pm. President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya will participate by video to be taped at Blair-Lee House at 2 pm on Tuesday, October 7th , 2003.
"When we learned that the Secretary General had called a Heads of State luncheon for September 23, and that no external visitors would be admitted to the UN Delegates dining room for that entire day, we faced a difficult decision" said Mora McLean, president of the Africa-America Institute. "We respect the UN's need for tight security, but we also feel that the significance of what the people of Kenya and Uganda have achieved deserves recognition in a place like the UN, where historic decisions that affect millions of people are made every day. That is why we chose to postpone the event, rather than scramble for an alternate location."
The Awards Gala Chair is Henry McKinnell, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Pfizer Inc. Mr. McKinnell was recently appointed by President Bush to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.
On that evening, the Africa-America Institute will bestow African National Achievement Awards to the People of Kenya and Uganda at its 50th Anniversary Awards Gala: Celebrating Partnership and Progress. The awards recognize the inspiring advances both countries are making towards a brighter future for the African continent. AAI will also recognize the achievements of two distinguished AAI alumni.
Thousands of dedicated Kenyans have worked tirelessly toward a peaceful democratic transition for their nation following 40 years of authoritarian rule. Its neighbor Uganda has, in one decade, cut the rate of AIDS infection from 15% to 5%, while also reducing poverty from 56% to 35%. Both Uganda and Kenya have recently made further progress with Tanzania, reforming the East Africa Community to speak with one voice to attract investment to their growing economies.
For its 50th anniversary, we are launching the AAI Education Partnership Campaign: 50,000 New Leaders in 5 years. The Campaign leadership includes the Honorary Campaign Chair, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and the Campaign Chair, William R. Johnson, Chair, President and CEO of HJ Heinz. This initiative will provide advanced training opportunities for citizens of African countries. A highly skilled workforce gives a nation the means to achieve lasting positive change.
Since its founding in 1953, AAI has been the primary strategic partner of U.S. government agencies in administering the education and professional training programs that prepare Africans to build healthy societies. AAI has accelerated the ability of African nations to mold their own futures by helping 20,000 Africans complete college, graduate level and professional training. Eighty-five percent of African students educated away from home through AAI have returned trained and eager to make the difference their countries require.
A multi-racial, multi-ethnic, non-profit organization, AAI has offices in New York and Washington, D.C. and a presence in 50 African nations. For more information on AAI, visit www.aaionline.org, or contact Debbie Meyer, Director of Development at 212-739-7888, dmeyer@aaionline.org or the Benefit Office, aai@benefitoffice.org, 1-888-810-1459 and fax 1-954-697-0186
