Contact: Rebecca Neale, The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community, 202-456-7348

WASHINGTON, March 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) today announced that Director Jay Hein will lead a delegation to Rwanda and Zambia from March 30 to April 5, 2008.  He will be joined by Admiral Tim Ziemer, United States Malaria Coordinator, who oversees the President's Malaria Initiative.  Following President Bush's travels to the region last month, the goal of this delegation is to highlight and advance innovative models that place faith-based and other grassroots organizations at the center of the fight against poverty, disease and other ills in Africa.

Photo: Jay Hein

"Faith-based and community organizations are vital to engaging Africa's great needs and unleashing even greater promise," said OFBCI Director Jay Hein.  "This delegation will help us see firsthand the President's vision in action and build stronger partnerships to drive effective local solutions."

While in Africa, Director Hein will host White House Conferences and engage in roundtable discussions and site visits to highlight, honor and grow models of effective partnerships between government, corporations and nonprofits to battle disease and build economic opportunity.  A White House conference and related events in Rwanda will emphasize public-private partnerships to mobilize economic development.  Pastor Rick Warren and President Kagame will be among the featured speakers.  A second conference and events in Zambia will focus on Presidential programs to address HIV/AIDS, malaria and other vital health issues.  Both conferences will explore best practices and train indigenous faith and community organizations to partner with the U.S. to combat disease and spur economic growth. 

Last month, President Bush traveled to the region to review the significant progress 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.  During his visit, President Bush highlighted the importance of faith-based and community organizations to help the people of Africa deal with the health crises and development issues. 

For more information on the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, visit www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci

For more information on the President's recent trip to Africa and U.S. Africa policy, visit: www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/africa