46664 and the Nelson Mandela Foundation Call for Establishment of Global ‘Mandela Day’

President Clinton supports global tribute to inspire people to mirror Mandela’s values

NEW YORK, April 27 /PRNewswire/ — 46664 and the Nelson Mandela Foundation are calling on people around the world to support the creation of an official Mandela Day, to be held annually on July 18, Mr. Mandela’s birthday. This celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life will serve as a global call to action for people to recognize their individual power to make an imprint and help change the world around them for the better.

A series of special events will take place in New York City in 2009 involving many of the charity’s global ambassadors from the worlds of entertainment, music and film. An exhibition will take place in New York on Mr. Mandela’s life and the work of his charitable organizations. More information can be found at www.MandelaDay.com.

This annual celebration is being created to inspire people from every corner of the earth to embrace Nelson Mandela’s values as they seek to improve their lives through service to their communities.

“We would be honored if such a day can serve to bring together people around the world to fight poverty and promote peace and reconciliation,” said Mr. Mandela.

As part of this year’s celebration, 46664 and the Nelson Mandela Foundation together with the New York City Department of Education will host a group of middle and high school students as they travel to South Africa in June to the offices of Mr. Mandela, to see the work of his Foundations and meet South African students in order to develop a student charter that applies Mr. Mandela’s ideals to their day-to-day lives and local communities.

Nelson Mandela has been making an imprint on the world for 67 years, beginning in 1942 when he first started to campaign for the human rights of every South African. His life has been an inspiration to the world. To date, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and 46664 have focused mainly on supporting projects in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa where current needs are greatest, particularly for those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.

President Bill Clinton said, “More than any other human being, Madiba has been the great inspiration for the life I lead and the work I do, especially in the area of HIV/AIDS. The philosophy of my Clinton Global Initiative – which has inspired 1,400 commitments improving 200 million lives in more than 150 countries – was built on his enduring example that the power of public good does not require public office, just a well-placed heart and a determined mind. In return for everything Madiba has taught us, we each owe it to him to support his work and legacy by doing and living our own as best we can, not just on this day, but throughout our entire lives.”

The Mandela Day campaign calls upon people around the world to commit 67 minutes of their time to make an imprint and help change the world around them.

Tim Massey, International Director of 46664 said, “Mandela Day is about creating a movement for positive change and establishing one day to reflect upon, celebrate and make manifest the values that guide Nelson Mandela.”

46664 will also be working with partner organizations, other city authorities and community associations and volunteers across the globe to create a worldwide series of Mandela Day events to honor Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy.

For photos, footage and EPK visit www.MandelaDay.com.

April 27th (Mandela Day announcement day) marks Freedom Day an annual celebration of South Africa’s first non-racial democratic elections of 1994.

About 46664 (http://www.46664.com)

46664, the campaign that bears Mr. Mandela’s Robben Island prison number, was originally launched to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Working alongside the other Mandela organizations, it is now expanding its focus to champion Mr. Mandela’s broader humanitarian work. A centerpiece of 46664′s activities will be the celebration of Mandela Day each year, and funds raised from Mandela Day will support the ongoing work of 46664 and the Nelson Mandela charitable organizations.

About the Nelson Mandela Foundation (http://www.nelsonmandela.org)

The Nelson Mandela Foundation through its Centre of Memory and Dialogue contributes to the making of a just society by promoting the values, vision and work of its Founder. As custodian of Nelson Mandela’s historic papers, the Centre of Memory makes his life and times accessible to the world. The Dialogue program provides a safe space where disadvantaged communities, policy makers and non-governmental organizations enter into dialogue aimed at finding solutions to critical social issues such as poverty and AIDS.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation, which houses Nelson Mandela’s personal office, embodies the spirit of reconciliation, ubuntu, and social justice. Its work is a celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life.

About the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (http://www.nmcf.co.za)

The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund came into existence in 1995. This was within a year of Nelson Mandela having taken political office a founding President of South Africa’s democracy. Itself a part of the country’s history, the Fund shares the age of South Africa’s 15 years of democracy with rich lessons to share on appropriate models of child care and youth development.

Initially a grant-making organization, the Fund was for the strategic period 2005-2010 repositioned in 1999 as a development and an advocacy agency. Being a rights-based and child-centered organization, the Fund’s target group is children and youth from 0-22 years of age. Its vision, to Change the Way Society Treats in Children and Youth, places it in the league of UNICEF and is similarly committed to creating a world fit for children. The Fund carries out its mandate through South African-based implementing partners within its four key areas of focus. The approximately R35m it grants per annum is according to a rigorous selection process following a public call for proposals.

Successful applicants are funded on a three-year funding cycle. The raising of its funding is a joint responsibility of its resource mobilization unit, programs department and established offices in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and the Netherlands. All are registered in accordance with applicable laws in their respective countries.

About The Mandela Rhodes Foundation (http://www.mandelarhodes.org)

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation was established in 2003 as a partnership between Mr. Mandela and the Rhodes Trust in the United Kingdom, with the specific brief of developing exceptional leadership capacity in Africa. The Foundation’s flagship program, the Mandela Rhodes Scholarships, seeks out and then nurtures young Africans who demonstrate academic ability and broader leadership potential. The Mandela Rhodes Scholarships offer Scholars educational opportunities at Honors or Masters level, coupled with a unique leadership development program and personalized mentoring.

SOURCE 46664