CHICAGO (March 22, 2011) – Chicago Public Media (WBEZ 91.5 FM) is thrilled to present the 4th Annual Global Activism Expo, bringing together hundreds of Chicago-area activists at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road, on Saturday, April 30 from 12-6pm. The all day event is free to the public.
Derived from the “Global Activism Series” hosted by Worldview’s Jerome McDonnell, the Global Activism Expo is the only event of its kind and is a remarkable opportunity to meet local activists inperson and learn about their organizations. The organizations, all of which have been featured guests on Worldview’s Global Activism Series, represent work taking place in over 100 countries and the services they provide range from buying cows for Kenyan families to helping victims of human trafficking in Vietnam to shipping bicycles, shoes, backpacks, books, medicines, and even bridges to people all over the world. In addition to learning about these incredible organizations, event attendees also have the unique opportunity to participate in volunteer activities on-site, as well as shop for interesting freetrade jewelry and apparel, enjoy great food and music, and mingle with other enthusiasts!
“In 2008 we held the first Expo and ambitiously thought 300 people might attend,” said Event Producer Breeze Richardson. “When 800 people showed up we knew this was something. Three years later we expect between 3,000-5,000 people to come out and learn about these tremendous organizations right in our back yard. Whether it’s participating in an on-site volunteer project or just picking up more information to take home, the goal is to educate Chicagoans about these organizations and give them a chance to lend a helping hand.”
Again this year, the lead on-site volunteer activity will be provided by Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach (HSMO), an organization that responds to the sick, poor, and needy through a medical equipment and supply recovery and distribution program, education and awareness opportunities, and cross cultural mission experiences all over the world. HSMO will be collecting items and assembling hygiene kits that include hand towels, wash cloths, fingernail clippers, bath bar soap, tooth brush, toothpaste, Band-Aids, combs, and a one gallon Ziploc bag. Last year Expo attendees assembled nearly 2,000 kits, which HSMO sent worldwide. This year, the assembled kits will be sent to Japan; they are one of the most important items requested by the US Navy.
Other organizations also collecting materials on-site include Aid Africa's Children requesting soccer balls, sneakers, backpacks, academic books, and encyclopedia sets; Matanya’s Hope collecting gently used book bags and school shoes for children in Kenya; Mwangaza Inc collecting pediatric wheelchairs, crutches, and walkers, therapeutic toys, sterile gauze (3X3 and larger) and scissors, medical tape, and school supplies; Radios Populares collecting laptop computers, audio equipment, microphones, and headphones; and Working Bikes collecting bicycles and wheelchairs. Working Bikes will also have an on-site demonstration of “bike machines” showing how bicycles are being used for UV water sterilization, water pumping, or charging phones and laptops in communities around the world.
Additionally, some organizations will be presenting on-site demonstrations and activities including youth members from CircEsteem displaying circus skills and teaching guests how to juggle, spin a plate, or balance a feather; the opportunity to live video chat with children in India, presented by LIFT Foundation (Leading India’s Future Today); a chance for attendees to contribute to a community mural, courtesy of Project FOCUS; and an outdoor display of a solar Sun Oven, courtesy of Sun Ovens International Inc. A complete list of the organizations attending is available at www.wbez.org/expo.
Also at this year’s event, Chicago Public Media will produce a two-hour live broadcast from the event simulcast on both WBEZ 91.5 FM and Vocalo 89.5 FM. This special radio presentation will feature in depth discussions on the economics of philanthropy and the future of giving, a look at how communities of color participate in global activism and the special place young Chicagoans hold in the landscape of world issues and activism.
The largest public event produced by Chicago Public Media (WBEZ 91.5 FM) this year, numerous WBEZ and Vocalo personalities will be in attendance to spend time with attendees, exchange ideas and participate in our simulcast radio event.
For more information: wbez.org/expo.
