Michael Franti and CARE Host the Power to the Peaceful Global Action Forum & Celebration in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (September 21, 2009) - Musician/activist Michael Franti and the global humanitarian organization, CARE, for which Franti is an ambassador, are joining forces to host the Power to the Peaceful Global Action Forum & Celebration on Sunday, September 13 in San Francisco. With this unique event, the organizers intend to harness the public’s energy and enthusiasm for tackling global poverty issues, particularly those affecting women.

The day after Franti’s 11th annual Power to the Peaceful Festival in Golden Gate Park, which draws more than 70,000 attendees for a day of music, yoga, and other activities, the Global Action Forum & Celebration will feature experts from the global poverty-fighting organization CARE, as well as civic and community leaders who will discuss topics including global climate change, girls’ empowerment, and hunger and food security.  Each session will examine challenges and solutions facing women in the developing world, and participants will leave with tangible strategies to affect change at home and abroad.

Simultaneously, yoga practitioners can attend the Power to the Peaceful-sponsored yoga session and Brazilian capoeira/dance workshop. The Global Action Forum & Celebration will culminate with symposium attendees and yogis joining for an evening reception featuring a concert with Michael Franti and friends as well as performances by the Aguas da Bahia and Tambores Julio Remelexo dance ensembles.

“Michael Franti has been a tireless advocate for CARE’s work to empower women around the world. We’re delighted that he is sharing his voice – both his music and his message – with his fans who are converging on San Francisco for this weekend of activities,” said Cathy Woolard, CARE’s executive vice president for global advocacy and external relations and one of the speakers at the concert and Forum.  “The Global Action Forum and Celebration is an opportunity to learn about the issues affecting people who live in poverty. But, more importantly, it is a forum for joining join forces with like-minded citizens to take action at the local level and to celebrate, through music and dance, the positive change that is taking place already.”

Opening with a message from the First Lady of San Francisco, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the event will feature musician/activist and CARE Ambassador Michael Franti, , acclaimed photographer Phil Borges (www.womenempoweredproject.com), as well as representatives from CARE, Back to Earth, the Office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Potentia Foundation, Room to Read, Spark, UC Berkeley, and the Vitamin Angels.

The Power to the Peaceful Concert on Saturday, September 12 in Golden Gate Park is free. Tickets to the Global Action Forum & Celebration are on sale now at www.care.org/forum.  The event begins at 2:00 pm on Sunday, September 13 at the historic Herbst Theatre and Green Room, in the War Memorial Veterans Building, 401 Van Ness Avenue at McAllister Street in San Francisco.

Sponsors include:  ITVS, KRON4, Ode Magazine, Jossey-Bass, SF Station, Ready Made, Vegetarian Times, Yoga Journal, and yoyoyogi.

About CARE

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. We place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Women are at the heart of CARE’s community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives. To get involved, visit www.care.org.