GlobalFest 2012: Stand for Girls, a free community event, takes place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., this Saturday, Sept. 22, at Seattle Center Armory/Center House. GlobalFest 2012 highlights issues facing women and girls worldwide and celebrates the achievements of Washington’s global development sector as they address these challenges.
The event presents inspiring speakers, live world music by SuperSones and MBOrchestra, “GlobalEDU” lectures and a special screening of a portion of a compelling new film Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. GlobalFest is appropriate for the whole family and registration is not necessary. More information, including a full agenda, is available at http://standforgirls2012.org/go/.
GlobalFest is part of a September Stand for Girls Campaign, organized by Global Washington and ten of its member organizations to raise awareness about and funds for issues affecting women and girls. The campaign encourages Washingtonians to “stand for girls” by attending GlobalFest and/or donating $12 in 2012. The funds raised will go to the ten participating organizations as they work globally for women’s education, economic empowerment and improved healthcare. Donation information is available at http://www.stand4girls2012.org/, including additional details about the campaign and the participating organizations.
Global Washington, (http://www.globalwa.org/), a membership organization for Washington State’s innovative global development sector, sponsors GlobalFest by including leading non-profit organizations, businesses, and universities. Forty Global Washington members will host interactive booths at Saturday’s event, displaying the work they do around the world and highlighting how it benefits women and girls. This event is also supported by Next 50, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair as part of the September focus on Commerce and the Innovation Economy. GlobalFest illuminates the global development sector as an important part of Seattle’s economy. Collaboration between these diverse organizations that share a common mission is an important innovation in addressing global challenges.
Raising the status of girls by providing them with education, better health, and more economic opportunities lifts up entire communities and ultimately improves the security and prosperity of our world. Please join Global Washington and Stand for Girls by attending GlobalFest this weekend, giving $12, or otherwise engaging in these issues through one of the many opportunities provided by the Stand for Girls campaign.
