Giving Pledge Welcomes 14 New Philanthropic Individuals and Couples

Seattle (ots/PRNewswire) -

Global group includes 168 signatories from 21 countries who have
dedicated the majority of their wealth to philanthropy

Today the Giving Pledge (http://www.givingpledge.org) announced
the addition of 14 new individuals and couples to its growing list of
signatories. The philanthropy effort continues to expand
internationally with the addition of philanthropists from Australia,
China, Cyprus, Monaco, Norway, Slovenia, Tanzania, as well as the
United States.

Created in 2010 by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett, the
Giving Pledge is a global, multi-generational initiative designed to
help address society's most pressing problems by encouraging the
wealthiest individuals and families to give the majority of their
wealth to philanthropic causes.

The 14 new signatories announced today are:

1. Leonard H. Ainsworth - Australia
2. Mohammed Dewji - Tanzania
3. Dagmar Dolby - United States
4. DONG Fangjun - People's Republic of China
5. Anne Grete Eidsvig and Kjell Inge Røkke - Norway
6. Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou - Monaco, Cyprus
7. Nick and Leslie Hanauer - United States
8. Iza and Samo Login - Slovenia
9. Dean and Marianne Metropoulos - United States
10. Terry and Susan Ragon - United States
11. Nat Simons and Laura Baxter-Simons - United States
12. Robert Frederick Smith - United States
13. Harry H. Stine - United States
14. YOU Zhonghui - People's Republic of China

Although the Giving Pledge is specifically focused on wealthy
individuals, it is inspired by the example set by millions of people
at all income levels who give generously - and often at great
personal sacrifice - to make the world better.

"Philanthropy is different around the world, but almost every
culture has a long-standing tradition of giving back," said Melinda
Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "Bill and
Warren and I are excited to welcome the new, very international group
of philanthropists joining the Giving Pledge, and we look forward to
learning from their diverse experiences."

The new additions to the Giving Pledge include entrepreneurs and
business leaders from a diverse set of backgrounds and sectors,
including agriculture, finance, gaming and entertainment, travel and
leisure, and technology. They will use their philanthropic resources
to support a range of causes, including climate change, environmental
and ecological protection, education, poverty alleviation, and
medical and healthcare research.

The Giving Pledge also provides a forum for some of the world's
most influential and engaged philanthropists to discuss challenges
and opportunities and how to be effective with their giving. People
who have taken the Giving Pledge are united by a shared commitment to
learning (http://givingpledge.org/Videos.aspx) and giving. The group
convened this week at the group's annual two-day learning conference,
which provides them with the opportunity to hear from outside experts
and learn from each other about how to give effectively across a
range of issues. Topics discussed at this year's annual gathering
included criminal justice reform, early childhood education, refugee
aid, public health, and poverty alleviation.

About the Giving Pledge

The Giving Pledge is a global effort to help address society's
most pressing problems by encouraging the wealthiest individuals and
families to give the majority of their wealth to philanthropic
causes.

The 168 pledgers range in age from 31 to 93. Globally, signatories
represent 21 countries: Australia, Brazil, China (mainland and
Taiwan), Cyprus, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Monaco,
Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Tanzania,
Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United
States. In the United States, they are from 27 states and the
District of Columbia, with the largest contingents from California
and New York. Over the long-term, the Giving Pledge hopes to help
shift the social norms of philanthropy toward giving more, giving
sooner and giving smarter.

Pledge signatories come together throughout the year to discuss
challenges, successes and failures, as well as how to be smarter
about giving. The Giving Pledge does not involve direct appeals,
pooling money, or requirements to support a particular cause or
organization.

For the full list of pledgers and personal letters by many of
these pledgers outlining their commitment to give, visit
http://www.givingpledge.org.

ots Originaltext: Gates PPT
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
, Press Only:
For inquiries about specific Giving Pledge signatories, please contact
their offices directly.
For general inquiries about the Giving Pledge, please contact
media@givingpledge.org.

Original-Content von: Gates PPT, übermittelt durch news aktuell