Alexandria, VA - Leaders representing non-profit organizations and multinationals from 6 continents are scheduled to convene for the United Way International World Assembly, to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico from 5-7 May 2004. In an effort to build effective social investment strategies and share best practices, UWI holds the World Assembly every other year in one of the 46 countries or territories where its members are based.

This year, speakers from the American Express Foundation, BankBoston Colombia, General Motors Foundation, Marriott International, Procter & Gamble Latin America, and Day, Berry & Howard LLP will address topics including International Grant Making, Ethics & Transparency, Global Employee Community Involvement, and Corporate Social Responsibility. Together with the heads of United Ways in Canada, Colombia, Korea, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States, they will speak to the Assembly theme of “Outstanding Leaders, Strategic Partners, and Resilient Communities.”

“United Way International’s World Assembly provides a unique opportunity for non-profits and donors to address common challenges together,” says Linda Martin, Director of International and National Corporate Citizenship at The Boeing Company, who is also a UWI Board member. “Our hope is that the 2004 program will inspire a productive cross-sector, cross-border dialogue at a time when a growing number of partnerships are being formed in an effort to build stronger communities.”

One program highlight includes the Strategic Alliances Plenary & UWI Member Panel, during which Professor John Yankey, co-Director of the Center for Public Sector Leadership & Service at Case Western Reserve University, will share his expertise on non-profit alliances before leading the audience through case studies that demonstrate how non-profits in countries such as Colombia, Russia, Mexico, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Korea, South Africa, and Brazil have successfully partnered with corporations, other non-profits, and government entities.

Guided by the awareness that informal discussion greatly enhances the more formal learning that occurs during World Assembly, host Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico has organized evening activities, with a Puerto Rican flair, that will contribute to the ease and enjoyment of networking among the 250 or more delegates expected.

In addition to Fondos Unidos, sponsors include American Airlines, American Income Life Insurance, The Boeing Company, Citigroup Foundation, Eli Lilly & Company Foundation, ExxonMobil, Fedex, General Motors Foundation, Marriott International, Medical Card System, Pitney Bowes, San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Federation of Labor of Puerto Rico AFL-CIO, The Puerto Rico Tourism Company, United Way of America, and Telemundo.

About United Way International
United Way International (UWI) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to strengthen communities and improve lives around the world. By mobilizing local people and companies to give time and money, and by helping local charities become more effective, United Way organizations in 46 countries and territories help create sustainable solutions to local needs. Created in 1974, UWI’s mission is “helping to build community capacity for a better quality of life worldwide through voluntary giving and action”. UWI is funded by corporations, private foundations, organized labor, and individuals in local United Way organizations in the US and Canada.

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