PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                         

CONTACT: Kevin Kraft

June 4, 2007          

Ph. 845.338.6418

Email: info@lifebridge.org

LIFEBRIDGE FOUNDATION BRINGS  GLOBAL

MISSION TO ROSENDALE LIBRARY

Rosendale, N.Y. Lifebridge Foundation marks the half way point of The United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s)  by donating books To Mid-Hudson Library System which focus on 8 Ways to Change the World:

The Lifebridge Foundation has been conducting community conversations at its conference and retreat center in Rosendale NY, Lifebridge Sanctuary, since February of this year.  While the numbers of the events are modest, the interest and depth of the conversations are inspiring and each month the number of attendees grows. 

As a matter of fact, it is the group of attendees who have been meeting for monthly discussions about the MDG’s, who realized that donating a collection of books to the Rosendale Library was a terrific idea.  Members of the group donated monies towards the collection and the Foundation doubled those contributions to round out the collection. In addition to contributions by members of the groups

Wendy Alexander, Chief Librarian in Rosendale says - “ The gift of books relating to the UN MDG from the Lifebridge Foundation to the Rosendale Library, is appreciated as it expands the global reach of our local library.”
 
In addition to the books, the Foundations’ group created an MDG display at the Rosendale Library highlighting books and web links for the local community to explore the MDG’s. The 8 Millennium Development Goals are 1.Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger 2. Achieve universal primary education 3. Promote gender equality and empower women 4. Reduce child mortality 5.Improve maternal health 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases 7. Ensure environmental sustainability 8. Develop a global partnership for development. 

Founder and president Barbara Valocore – says “Lifebridge selected July 7, 2007 as the day to donate MDG related books to Mid- Hudson Library System because it marks the half way point for the MDG’s to be achieved.” It’s clear the local community is interested in finding out more about the United Nations and inspiring to see their reactions as they learn about the Millennium Development Goals and how they can help.  “Donating books to the Mid-Hudson Library system was the next step in a natural progression of education and out reach to our community about the UN and the MDG’s in particular. While the books will reside in the Rosendale Library they are available to all members of the Library system consortium using the inter – library loan system.”     

Another reason the July 7, 2007 date has been selected is because of A Promise Made: Millennium Development Goals A popular movement led by Bono, Bob Geldoff and Nelson Mandela is mobilizing large numbers of young people around the world, pressuring governments and reminding them to keep their promise and meet the goals.  Their movement has evolved into Climate Change Concerts called Live Earth which is a monumental music event that will bring together more than 2 billion people on 7/7/07 to raise awareness about global warming. With 24 hours of music across 7 continents, and performances by more than 150 of the world's top musicians, Live Earth will engage, connect, and inspire individuals, corporations and governments to take action to solve the climate crisis.

A  partial listing of books being donated includes:

David Bornstein, How to Change the World : Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas. Oxford university Press, USA. Hardcover –

Muhammad Yunus, Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty.  Public Affairs ISBN: 10: 1586481983 – paperback.

Jeffrey D. Sachs, The End of Poverty : Economic Possibilities for Our Time.  (Foreword by Bono) Penguin (Non-Classics) ISBN 10: 0143036580.

Jeffrey D. Sachs, Investing in Development: A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Earthscan. ISBN 10: 1844072177.

United Nations Development Programme, Human Development Report 2006, Beyond Scarcity: Power, Poverty and the Global Water Crisis. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 10: 0230500587.

Robert Muller, Most of All They Taught Me Happiness. Amare Media. ISBN 10: 1932943056.

Bono, On the Move. Thomas Nelson, ISBN 10: 0849901928.

Michka Assayas, Bono in Conversation with Micha Assayas. Riverhead Hardcover. ISBN 10: 1573223093.

United Nations Population Fund, State of World Population, 2006 – A Passage to Hope, Women and international Migration. UNFPA

B. Bruns, A. Mingat & R. Rakotomalala, Achieving Universal Primary Education by 2015 : A Chance for Every Child. World Bank, ISBN 10: 0821353454. Hardcover.

A.Campbell-White, T.W. Merrick & A.S. Yazbeck, Reproductive Health: The Missing Millennium Development Goal – Poverty, Health and Development in a Changing World. World Bank. ISBN 10: 0821366130 .

The Book Collection Dedication event program is as follows:

11:00 – 11:30 - Welcome and presentation to Rosendale Library by Lifebridge president.

11:30 – 12:00 - Remarks by library and foundation members regarding the MDG’s and United

Nations.

Members of the Lifebridge Board of Directors, the Library Board and members of the community will be present during the dedication and presentation of the MDG Book Collection and will be available to answer questions regarding the United Nations and the MDG’s.

The Lifebridge Foundation was created in 1992 for the purpose of promoting the concept of one humanity and the interconnectedness of all life and is associated with the Department of Public Information of the United Nations. The Foundation operates The Lifebridge Sanctuary, a 12,000 square foot, green retreat and conference center in Rosendale, N.Y.

For more information about the United Nations or the MDGS - readers may contact The Lifebridge Foundation at 338.6418 or to reserve a book from the MDG Book Collection readers are encouraged to visit their Local Community Library.

DIRECTIONS TO THE ROSENDALE LIBRARY

From the South
(NYS Thruway 87). Drive for North to exit 18 (New Paltz exit); after toll booth take first left at traffic light onto Route 299 toward New Paltz. Proceed through New Paltz and follow signs to 32 North. Turn right onto route 32 North and continue 7 miles toward Rosendale. Turn left onto 213 West immediately after the blue bridge. Proceed 1/10 of a mile, the Library is on your right.

BY CAR FROM THE NORTH
Take exit 19 from I-87 to 209 South. Proceed 10.5 miles, through Stone Ridge, and then turn left at the 2nd light onto 213 East toward Rosendale. Go approximately 3 ½ miles through High Falls into the town of Rosendale the Library is on your left.

Here are some pictures of the recent dedication and presentation of MDG books to the Rosendale Library.