Contact: Rebecca Neale, The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, 202-456-6708

WASHINGTON, March 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- Next week, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives will host two White House Conferences in Africa on March 31 and April 4, 2008, highlighting the growing leadership of faith-based and community organizations as partners in health initiatives and international social enterprise.  Hosted by Director Jay Hein, accompanied by Admiral Timothy Ziemer, U. S. Malaria Coordinator, these Conferences exploring how the vision for President Bush’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative is applied through international initiatives to help Africans more effectively serve their neighbors in need. 

In Kigali, Rwanda, on March 31, a White House Conference on Public-Private Partnerships and Economic Development will bring together public and private sector U.S. and African leaders, including His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda and best-selling author Rev. Rick Warren, to discuss how governments, private business, non-government organizations, and faith and community-based groups partner to solve problems and build economic opportunity.

In Lusaka, Zambia, on April 4, a White House Conference on African Health Initiatives will also assemble public and private sector U.S. and African leaders, including First Lady of Zambia Maureen Mwanawasa, to discuss the crucial role of faith and community-based organizations to ensure the success of initiatives like the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI).  Both conferences will highlight partnership opportunities, showcase best practices, and provide training on capacity building and sustainability strategies. 

WHO: 
Jay Hein, Director, White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

WHAT:  
Interview Opportunities regarding the President’s Malaria Initiative and Faith-Based and Community Partnerships in Africa

WHEN: 
Various times while in Rwanda and Zambia
Sunday, March 30 through Sunday, April 6, 2008

Please contact the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at 202-456-6708 if you are interested in scheduling an interview with Jay Hein while he is traveling or when he returns. 

For more information on the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Africa Conferences, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/.