Post the HOPE Global Financial Literacy Summit dialogue includes focus

On new book Love Leadership and the accomplishments of Operation HOPE

 

(Washington, DC– November 11, 2009) – U.S. Australian Ambassador Dennis Richardson hosted a post Global Financial Literacy Summit private dinner honoring the innovativeness of Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO, John Hope Bryant and the work of Operation HOPE.

The private dinner applauded the organization's efforts and continued the dialogue started at HOPE's first Global Financial Literacy Summit held in June, 2009 on the importance of teaching the global community a new language – "language of money." 

U.S. Australian Ambassador Richardson attended the Global Financial Literacy Summit held in Anacostia, an economically struggling suburb of Washington, D.C. The theme of the summit was "A Business Case for Financial Literacy."  The event helped to bring awareness to financial literacy and HOPE's mission to move people from civil rights to "silver rights." The summit's dialogue pivoted around the importance of understanding free enterprise, capitalism, and making the "language of money" aspirationally relevant to the poor on a global level.

"Financial illiteracy isn't something we just want to talk about, but we want to take concrete action towards addressing the problem," shared Australian Ambassador Richardson. "I am no stranger to the host inner city neighborhood of Anacostia in Washington, D.C., in fact we are so moved by the work of Operation HOPE, that the U.S. Australian Embassy has adopted the Neeley Elementary School in Anacostia, D.C. to provide educational mentorship to its youth. It is a case of thinking globally and acting locally."

Representatives from the U.S. Government, private, and public sector gathered to discuss the direction all sectors must take to encourage local communities to adopt financial literacy initiatives and practices for its citizens. 

"I am honored to be here tonight, said John Bryant, who also serves as vice chair of President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy as he reference his new book, LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World (Jossey-Bass, Sept 2009). "Fear is the ultimate prosperity killer. Look at this global crisis, and you will see a financial crisis that morphed into an economic crisis, and then liquidity and a credit crisis, and now it is a basic crisis of confidence. That is fear, plain and simple. Promoting financial literacy will promote growth in the economy, employment and ultimately standard of living, HOPE works relentlessly to inspire and empower underserved communities everywhere."

Attendees included: Stephen Ryan, Esq. of McDermott Will & Emery LLP and former Mid-Atlantic board chairman for Operation HOPE, Ted Carter, executive managing director, CB Richard Ellis, R. Edward Ingle, managing director, Microsoft, Brian Longe, president and CEO, Wolters Kluwer Financial Services, Margaret Miller, senior economist, The World Bank, Stephanie Mudick, executive vice president, corporate responsibility, JP Morgan Chase, Esther Silver-Parker, senior vice president, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Barry Wides and Mrs. Wides, Hon. John Fernandez, assistant secretary for the U.S. Economic Development Administration, along with Bill Walbrecher, president and COO, Operation HOPE and Jena Roscoe, senior vice president, chief of government relations and public policy, Operation HOPE.

xxx

 

 

About Australia

The department's role is to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. This involves working to strengthen Australia's security; enhancing Australia's prosperity; and helping Australian travelers and Australians overseas. The department provides foreign and trade policy advice to the government. We work with other government agencies to ensure that Australia's pursuit of its global, regional and bilateral interests is coordinated effectively.

 

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Operation HOPE is America's leading nonprofit social investment banking and financial literacy empowerment organization. With more than 400 private sector partners, 1500 nonprofit organizations and schools, and 100 government partners in 68 major U.S. cities as well as South Africa, HOPE has raised more than $500 million in its pursuit of educating, assisting and inspiring the next generation of global stakeholders. Through international initiatives and its three principal programs, Banking on Our Future (teaching school children about money), HOPE Coalition America (Mortgage HOPE Crisis Hotline, 1-888-388-HOPE, financial emergency preparedness and disaster relief), and Walk-In HOPE Centers (loans, bill pay, computer literacy, understanding banking principles), Operation HOPE has delivered services to more than one million low-wealth individuals and assumed the responsibility of piloting the Silver Rights Movement towards making free enterprise and capitalism relevant to all underserved communities. To learn more about HOPE, visit www.operationhope.org. or read our blog at www.operationhope.org/blog.

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