Contact: Rebecca Neale, 202-456-7348

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Thursday, February 7, 2008, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) will convene a Compassion in Action Roundtable entitled, "Social Enterprise in International Development: Reinventing Public Private Partnerships."  OFBCI Director Jay Hein will join United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Henrietta Fore, author and pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in California, and other key players to highlight the growing influence of faith-based and community leadership on international social enterprise, particularly in African nations.  

President Bush's Faith-Based and Community Initiative was built from his conviction that the most effective way to address our communities' great needs is to draw upon the unique strengths of every willing community and faith-based partner. The tremendous growth of social entrepreneurship to meet international needs has demonstrated the transformational power that comes from neighbor helping neighbor – whether home or abroad.

This event will serve as a precursor the President and Mrs. Bush's travel to Africa from February 15-21, 2008. They will visit Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Liberia. This trip will be an opportunity for the President to review firsthand the significant progress since his last visit in 2003 in efforts to increase economic development and fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other treatable diseases, as a result of the United States robust programs in these areas.

A complete Compassion in Action Roundtable agenda is attached.

White House Compassion in Action Roundtable

"Social Enterprise in International Development: Reinventing Public Private Partnerships"

WHERE:        The White House Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) Room 450

WHEN:           Thursday, February 7, 2008 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. EST Members of the press arrive at the Northwest Appointment Gate by 1:30 p.m. EST to ensure entry.

NOTE:           Members of the press who do not have a White House press credential must fax his or her name (as it appears on his or her driver's license), Social Security number and date of birth on company letterhead to (202) 456-7019 no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2008.  For additional credentialing or logistical questions, please call (202) 456-7348.

Social Enterprise in International Development: Reinventing Public Private Partnerships

Thursday, February 7, 2008

2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Welcome and Introduction

Jay Hein, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director, White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

Public/Private Partnerships 

Henrietta Fore, Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development and

Director, United States Foreign Assistance

Success through Partnerships: The Global Development Alliance

Jim Thompson, Acting Director, Global Development Alliance, Office of Development Partners, U.S. Agency for International Development

Marvin Baldwin, President and CEO, Foods Resource Bank

Ward Brehm, Chairman, U.S. African Development Foundation

Marc Belton, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Health, Brand and New Business Development and Foundation Trustee, General Mills Foundation

Microenterprise as Key Strategy for Development

Christopher Crane, President and Chief Executive Officer, Opportunity International 

Friends of Rwanda

Dan Cooper, Leader, Friends of Rwanda

Dale Dawson, Founder and CEO, Bridge2Rwanda

John Orrison, Assistant Vice President, BNSF Railway Company

Tom Ritchey, Project Rwanda and Founder, Ritchey Design, Inc

Partnership Snapshot

Rick Warren, Pastor, Saddleback Church