Dearest Friends & All Agents of Positive Social Change,
This Saturday, August 18th, a benefit soiree will be held at a stunning Beverly Hills estate exemplifying the collaborative, multi-disciplinary spirit of Empowerment Works with an art auction, dance and fire performances, live music, djs, dinner, and an open bar. Ecologist and community health expert, Dr. Suad Sulaiman, will be celebrating the end of her US tour and will share with us her solutions for a healthy, sustainable, peaceful Sudan.

Looking forward to seeing you this Saturday evening! Event webpage: empowermentworks.org/Art4Africa.html

Warmest regards,
Melanie St.James, MPA
Executive Director



RSVP NOW w/ Advance Purchase

Saturday, August 18th, 2007

Hosts James Otis, Jay Levin, Zan Naar, Holiday Hadley, Courtney White & Francesca Orsi invite you to

Join Empowerment Works in welcoming its program advisor from the Sudan,

Leading Ecologist and Community Health Expert, Dr. Suad Sulaiman

"Sudanese Environmental Conservation Society"

Join us in the Grand Finale Celebration of her US bridge-building tour as Suad shares her hope and visionary solutions for a Healthy, Sustainable and Peaceful Sudan.

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6-7:45 - Art Exhibition Preview & VIP Q & A with Dr. Sulaiman

w/ Flutist Rebecca Kleinmann

8pm - The Summer Soiree Ignites

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FINE ART EXHIBITION & SALE featuring LA’s finest local and international artists in all mediums.

DJs: WISEACRE (funky-in-the-middle/recline sounds) & ARGYLE (beat hackerz/topsoil)

STEAMING FIRE & OTHER EXUISITE PERFORMANCE DANCERS!

LIVE MUSIC: Funky Jazz, Indigenous Beats, Didgeridoos

CUISINE: Ayurvedic, Mediterranean & Vegetarian

OPEN BAR: Organic Margaritas, Wine & Beer,

VALET PARKING

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1404 Dawnridge Dr. Beverly Hills, CA. 90210

*this is a private, invite only event.

GuestsLimited. Guaranteed entry only with advance purchase RSVP

$60 all inclusive entry RSVP by Aug. 14 / $100 @ Door w/ INVITE ONLY



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learn more about Dr. Suad and what this event will support: empowermentworks.org/Sudan.html

EW Sudan - Addressing Root-causes of Crisis

While international media highlights political issues surrounding the conflict in Darfur, the United Nations Environment Program reports that competition over scarce resources, including water, timber, oil, and land, could spark more fighting unless the issues are addressed, and that: "Ignoring these environmental issues will ensure that some political and social problems remain unsolvable and [are] even likely to worsen."

OPPORTUNITIES:

• While local communities face extreme poverty, the country is rich in natural resources which can be carefully used & conserved

• Drought & desertification effects of intensive agriculture can be reversed in preparation for climate change effects

• Displaced people are encouraged to return to their home lands when conditions are improved through livelihood creation and empowered through education

ACTION:

To address root-causes of these inextricably linked social and environmental issues, Empowerment Works is seeking funding and strategic partners to advance the following locally-run sustainable livelihood, eco-restoration and health strategies:

• Village Direct Carbon Offset Program (VDCOP) - Creation of Sudanese Carbon Credit fund for sustainable agro-forestry, agriculture, and ecological restoration

• 'El Rahad Appropriate Technology & Health Education Center' creating jobs & health by honoring traditional knowledge of medicinal plants

• Beyond Fair Trade™ micro-grants, capacity building & market access enabling women to support their families