Sunday, May 27, 2007 - (4:04 p.m.)
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=a905edfa-8366-47d8-ab7c-79ad2c26ef51&k=41264
Kelly Sinoski - Vancouver Sun
Participants of the 23rd Partnership Walk to raise funds to fight global poverty gather at Lumberman's Arch Sunday afternoon.
Hockey legend Gordie Howe joined more than 6,000 people Sunday in lending his support to the annual fight against global poverty.
Howe joined Premier Gordon Campbell, Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan and UBC president Stephen Toope in kicking off the 28th annual World Partnership Walk in Stanley Park.
The seven-kilometre walk, which had already raised $500,000 by 11 a.m., focused on "making education count" in developing countries. Walk organizers hoped to raise $1.4 million.
"Today when you walk, you'll be putting chalk on in a teacher's hand, books in students' hands...you'll be creating opportunities," Campbell told the crowd.
The event last year raised $1.5 million in Vancouver and it was expected to generate a similar amount this year. Organized by the Aga Khan Foundation Canada, it was held in eight cities across Canada, including Surrey. "Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty," said walk convenor Ahnoor Tejpar.
"We are helping people in some of the most isolated and disadvantaged communities in the world."
Toope, the guest of honour, agreed that "education is the great liberator."
Neither Toope nor Howe, who was whisked off to the Memorial Cup after a few minutes on stage with the other dignitaries, participated in the walk, but wanted to lend their support.
"It's such an important symbol of a community working together for a greater cause," Toope said later.
Money raised from the event will go toward helping farmers in Afghanistan grow wheat and rice instead of poppies and provide microfinance to Egyptian entrepreneurs.
"People have good ideas, they just need a chance," Tejpar said.