Washington, DC:

CARE Conference,

Shannon DeWitt, Airline Ambassadors Mission Coordinator, reports:

Airline Ambassadors Mission Director, Shannon De Witt had the great privilege of attending the June 2008 CARE conference in Washington D.C. The goal was to advocate for change by pressing their representatives, to act on specific policies related to the global hunger crisis, climate change, and sexual and gender based violence. 'These issues are especially important in this election year and at a time when tens of millions of people are living on the edge,' said CARE President and CEO Helene D. Gayle. 'We need to shake the status quo and help modernize US foreign assistance,' Dr. Gayle said. 'There's a great deal of talent and will among everyone who will convene on Capitol Hill to help give these issues the priority attention they deserve.'

The sessions were very beneficial and packed with expert speakers, data and knowledge to take to the frontlines concerning leading Humanitarian efforts.

Some of the sessions:

• Post-Conflict Reconstruction Rebuilding Lives and Communities After War
• Learning to Lead: Investing In Girls’ Education and Empowerment Efforts
• Lending Money, Making Money: How to give poor people fair access to Financial Services Changing Climate, Changing Needs: Effects of Global Warming On the Poor
• The Food Crisis: A Silent Tsunami
• Voices from the Field: Perspectives On Humanitarian Aid Work
• Breaking The Mold: Engaging and Empowering Youth, Especially Girls, Through Sport  

In preparation for the trip to the hill, Shannon teamed up with five people from the State of Florida and a CARE Staff Representative. Before the trip, the team discussed the following issues and talking points and shared them with their elected Representatives on the Hill visits:  

• Global Hunger Crisis: Food price increases have triggered a global surge in hunger and people cannot meet their basic needs. In the short term, more funding is necessary for emergency food aid to countries in need. Over the long term, the United States should consider a new approach to help developing countries build better systems to protect people from food insecurity before they fall into crisis.
• Climate Change: While traditionally viewed as an 'environmental' issue, addressing climate change is also a people issue as it will ultimately impact those living in extreme poverty the most. Agriculture production will decline at a more rapid rate in poor countries, leading to increased malnutrition, infectious disease and death from natural disasters and cold- and heat-waves. While CARE supports a mandatory cap on greenhouse gas emissions, we also support initiatives to reduce poor people's vulnerability and give them the resources and tools to adapt to a warmer climate.
• Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: At least one out of three women across the globe will be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime, especially in conflict-affected parts of the world like the Democratic Republic of Congo. Members of Congress have introduced 'The International Violence Against Women Act' in an effort to reduce violence against women in countries with the worst track records for protecting women. We must build support for passage of this Act.

The entire team felt the visit was absolutely amazing and they had the opportunity to met with The Legislative Assistants for Senators Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Tom Feeney.

They visited the office of Senator Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (http://www.house.gov/ros-lehtinen/)

and met with Jay O’Callagham Senior Legislative Assistant.  Mr. O'Callagham escorted them via the Capital’s Underground Subway System (http://www.clouse.org/capitol1.html) to the Capital Building for a special meeting.  The team presented their “asks” to Senator Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen was amazing, dynamic and friendly. As the team spoke to her, government staff took pictures of the group presenting various thoughts and written materials.  She shared her feedback graciously.

Shannon De Witt of Group 14 Southeast (District 25 FL) “For the first time in my life I felt and experienced the democratic process, in a way that I never imagined. It was an amazing process and our efforts will help set policy that will help millions of people.” 

In addition, the participants had the opportunity to see the amazing movie "A Powerful Noise" and to listen to and to meet many captivating guest speakers like, David Gregory, Chief White House Correspondent, NBC News; Helene D. Gayle, President and CEO, CARE USA; Keen Crossley, Deputy Director U.S. Relations Office, United Nations World Food Programme; Steven Feldstein, Professional Staff Member, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Teresa Gonzalez, Director of Programme, Monitoring and Evaluation, Right to Play; Brendan Tuohey, Founder & Executive Director, Peace Players International, Honorable Jim Kolbe, US House of Representatives (1985-2007), John Harwood, Chief Washington Correspondent, CNBC. In addition, the group shared the experience with CARE Ambassadors, the Director of CARE and Advisors from the United States, Tanzania, United Kingdom, Caribbean, and Ghana.

Later, Shannon took a break and attended the Annual Capital Hill Ice Cream party and tried some of our Nation's best and traditional Ice Cream, along side the movers and shakers of capital Hill. This was the perfect sweet ending to a day of American democracy in action.

The Result of the 2008 CARE Conference:

A CARE Regional Coordinator Reports:

I am proud to inform you that our request for increased funding to alleviate the global hunger crisis were heard. Last Thursday (June 26, 2008), the House passed the FY08/09 Emergency Supplemental  Appropriations Bill allocating $1.245 billion in emergency food aid and $50 million for local purchase, and yesterday it passed the Senate!!! Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and commitment. This is proof of the power of constituent advocacy and  something we all can be proud of.   We have many opportunities to engage our representatives over the summer and into the election season.     

Thank you for your work and the update, Shannon!  Sweet for sure!

Stories From The Field