USADF CHAIRMAN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SULLIVAN SUMMIT VIII

WASHINGTON - May 27, 2008

WASHINGTON – May 27, 2008 - The Chairman of the United States African Development Foundation (USADF), Edward "Ward" Brehm, will join the official U.S. Presidential Delegation to attend the Sullivan Summit VIII, "The Summit of a Lifetime," to take place in Arusha, Tanzania, June 2-6, 2008.  Mr. Brehm was personally invited to attend the conference by the Honorable Jakaya Kikwete, President of Tanzania.  USADF currently supports a portfolio of twenty projects in Tanzania that has resulted in helping improve incomes and create jobs for thousands of rural famers and artisans. 

Mr. Brehm will attend the Sullivan Summit VIII as a member of the US Presidential Delegation led by the Honorable Dirk Kempthorne, U.S. Secretary of the Interior. Other members of the Presidential Delegation include the Honorable Jendayi E. Frazer, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, and the Honorable John Simon, Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

The Leon H. Sullivan Summits bring together the world’s political and business leaders, delegates representing national and international civil and multinational organizations, and members of academic institutions in order to focus attention and resources on Africa’s economic and social development. Their mission was inspired by Rev. Leon H. Sullivan’s belief that the development of Africa is a matter of global partnerships.

Mr. Brehm has traveled and worked extensively in Africa as an advocate for the poor.  In his tenure at USADF he has seen significant growth of USADF’s budget and countries of operations. Mr. Brehm said, "I am confident that USADF’s mission in Africa can make a lasting impact on the lives of poor farmers and communities by providing common sense solutions to poor communities’ that strengthen local engines of growth”.

Mr. Brehm will also speak in a breakout forum with U.S. Government agency heads on Trade and Investment in Africa.  Mr. Brehm added, “I look forward to attending the Summit to learn more about what others are doing in Africa to address the conditions of extreme poverty, and share some of the valuable lessons USADF has learned in helping to create jobs and improve income levels among some of the poorest underserved areas in Africa”.

Tanzania provides an excellent setting for USADF to showcase some of its most successful local enterprise initiatives in sugar, coffee, and home decor products that resulted in huge gains in job creation and better income levels for the poor.

The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) is a United States Government agency dedicated to expanding access to economic opportunity in Africa. Founded in 1980, USADF currently has active country programs in 19 countries. Over the past 25 years, ADF has funded over 1,200 projects in support of African entrepreneurs and local African communities. Ward Brehm has served as a member of the Board of ADF since 2004. Mr. Brehm is Chairman and CEO of The Brehm Group and Capstone Advisors, two companies based in Minneapolis, MN.

For more information on USADF, its programs and application guidelines, visit www.usadf.gov.

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