Global coalition of consumer brands,
cultural influencers and educators, call for renewed focus on solutions and
greater access to safe drinking water
SUMMIT
ON THE SUMMIT, a cross-platform global initiative designed to drive awareness
and change to the clean water crisis worldwide, today announced the powerhouse
roster of corporate and non-governmental organization (NGO) partners supporting
the January 2013 ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro. Founded by Grammy-nominated
musician and noted philanthropist Kenna, SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT is a grueling
seven-day, fifty-mile climb up Africa’s tallest peak that aims to engage and
activate a community of clean water supporters.
In
a remarkable show of support for global clean water efforts, corporate partners
HP, Intel, Procter & Gamble (P&G), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Eddie
Bauer will join together to provide everything from content to travel to
technology for the climb. Water.org, an organization at the forefront of
developing and delivering solutions to populations impacted by the water crisis
for more than 20 years, will serve as SUMMIT’S primary educational partner.
Water.org has served as a subject matter expert to SUMMIT, informing advocacy
efforts, and will serve as the primary beneficiary for online giving through
the SUMMIT website. Global studio @radical.media, producer of the MTV
documentary that documented the first SUMMIT climb is producing this year’s
initiative on behalf of SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT.
The
staggering statistics surrounding the prevalence and impact of water-borne
illness and disease created a sense of urgency among major consumer brands and
NGOs – a shared commitment and vision that compelled them to lend their support
to the initiative.
Kenna is overwhelmed by the generosity
and support the movement has benefited from to date. “My friends are
remarkable people to do a crazy thing like climb Kilimanjaro, but they know
that it’s crazy that there are a billion people who still lack access to safe
drinking water,” said Kenna. “It’s been over 60 years since my father suffered
with waterborne disease in my home country of Ethiopia. He survived, but many
did not, and many do not today. SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT is bringing this issue to
the forefront and broadcasting that message from one of the largest peaks in
the world. And with the support of benevolent brands like HP, Intel, P&G,
KLM, Eddie Bauer and their employees, as well as the support of our
beneficiary Water.org, we have a shot at engaging people in
an innovative way and reminding them of the value of one of the world’s most
precious resources – water.”The
initiative’s primary goal of raising more awareness around the scarcity of
clean water throughout the world to help the more than 780 million people
without access to safe drinking water will reinforce the efforts of
organizations like Water.org that are on the front lines working to find
solutions to the crisis.
“Water.org
and SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT share a bold mission: we believe in a just world where
everyone can access a safe drink of water and experience the dignity of a
toilet. It’s an ambitious goal, but one that is achievable; it will take
participation around the world," says Chevenee Reavis, Director of
Strategic Initiatives at Water.org. “SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT captures a truly
fresh and energizing spirit that will spark new forms of engagement and
momentum around this cause. We’re thrilled to be part of the movement.”
“We’re
excited to join Kenna once again on this historic endeavor and honored that our
brand partners have stepped up to support such a worthwhile cause,” said Justin
Wilkes, @radical.media’s President of Media & Entertainment. “It’s
not every day that you get to climb one of the highest mountains in the world,
especially to raise awareness for a truly global issue.”
SUMMIT
ON THE SUMMIT will utilize groundbreaking technology and social media during
the ascent, with the climbers wirelessly enabled and equipped to share the
experience in real time through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
HP and Intel will serve as the official technology partners for the second
time, providing cutting-edge technology crucial to keeping the climbers safe
and maximizing the impact of their experience to followers back at home.
“Solving
the world’s water challenges requires bold action and commitment, which is
exactly what this ambitious climb is all about,” said Gabi Zedlmayer, Vice
President, Sustainability & Social Innovation, HP. “Our Ultrabooks,
tablets and PCs will help the SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT team stay connected with
each other, their base camp and their supporters around the world.”
”At
Intel, we believe that technology can make a difference to create a better,
more sustainable world and enrich the lives of its citizens. We are
excited to be participating in SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT to help promote awareness
of the global clean water crises,” said J. Johan Jervoe, Vice President of the
Sales and Marketing Group and Director of Partner Marketing at Intel.
“Intel silicon and technology enable new lighter, thinner, energy efficient
devices such as the Intel-inspired Ultrabook as well as Intel powered tablets
and convertibles. These devices provide an optimal blend of performance,
security, and mobility for everyday life, but will be ideal for taking up the
mountain, documenting the climb and extending this important message.”
As
part of the initiative, P&G will be sharing its water purification technology
– “P&G Purifier of Water.” These tiny packets are used to purify
contaminated water anywhere, at any time. Through not-for-profit
distribution in the developing world, P&G and their partners have helped
prevent more than 200 million days of illness and saved an estimated 28,000
lives.
“For
the past 175 years, P&G has focused on making every day better through
life-changing innovation,” said Bob McDonald, P&G President, CEO and
Chairman of the Board. “Thousands of people die every day from lack of
safe drinking water, which is why we’re increasing distribution of our water
purification technology to save one life every hour by 2020. We’re
honored to again be a part of Summit on the Summit and help raise awareness of
this critical issue.”
Clean
water advocate Dr. Greg Allgood, Director of P&G’s Children’s Safe Drinking
Water Program, will be joining the climb and will host the climbers in rural
Tanzania to witness the impact of P&G’s water purification technology.
KLM
Royal Dutch Airlines will be the official airline partner, providing
transportation for the climbers and crew to and from Kilimanjaro. KLM is
one of the few airlines providing service to Kilimanjaro.
“KLM
is proud to support SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT and its initiatives to bring global awareness
to clean water issues. Although as a corporate policy KLM would not normally
sponsor activities like Alpinism, this climb is about endurance and the
personal challenge that each climber will face to promote a very important
cause. Corporate Social Responsibility is vital to KLM and we work continuously
to promote positive change with our environmental, humanitarian and sustainable
programs,” said Patrick Roux, Senior Vice President, Air France and KLM for the
Americas.
Eddie Bauer
will serve as the official outfitting partner of SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT.
“Eddie Bauer is proud to support SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT on their expedition to
help raise awareness of the global clean water crisis,” said Mike Egeck, chief
executive officer for Eddie Bauer. “For more than 90 years, Eddie Bauer has
inspired and enabled the spirit of adventure and discovery. Through
exploration, we gain a deeper appreciation of the natural world and a better
understanding of the proper management of these resources.”
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