Americas Business Council Presents The 2010 Courage Forum With Sir Richard Branson and Philippe Petit

WHAT: The Americas Business Council (ABC) People Initiative presents the Courage Forum with Sir Richard Branson and Philippe Petit. The event will bring together some of the world’s foremost thought-leaders in a celebration of individual courage and willpower. The forum will feature a series of speakers from around the world who have overcome hardships, and injustice in pursuit of truth, equality and change.


The Americas Business Council (ABC) is a non-profit organization that focuses on identifying and addressing important business and societal issues facing the Americas through thought-provoking forums and roundtables. The organization, a catalyst for social action, provides a platform for Latin America’s emerging leaders to bring about lasting positive change.


WHO: Philippe Petit: Honorary Chairman of the Courage Forum, who captivated the world by walking between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on a high wire in 1974


Sir Richard Branson: Visionary Chairman of Virgin Group


Juan Emilio Cheyre: Former Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean army who spoke out against former dictator General Augusto Pinochet


Capt. Paul Watson: Founder of The Sea Shepherd Conservation society and star of “Whale Wars” on Animal Planet


Emilio Jal: An accomplished MC from Sudan who became a soldier in the country’s vicious civil war at age seven


Isabel Miranda de Wallace: A member of the United Mexicans Against Organized Crime who has dedicated her life to fight kidnapping in Mexico after her own son was kidnapped and murdered by Mexican organized crime


Feijao: A member of the Brazilian organization called AfroReggae which works to keep kids off the streets in the Favelas through music. Feijao is the only member that can go into the Favelas and establish relationships, organize meetings and mediate conflicts.


Bob Simon: CBS News correspondent for 60 Minutes who was captured and spent 40 days in Iraqi prisons during the Gulf War 1991. Simon chronicled his experience in the book, Forty Days


Lopez Lomong: A Sudanese-born American track and field athlete. One of the “Lost Boys of Sudan,” he is a member of Team Darfur, a group of athletes urging China to exert pressure on the Sudanese government to address the War in Darfur.


Members of The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ): Members confirmed to attend include Joel Simon (Executive Director, CPJ), John Lee Anderson (International investigative reporter and writer) and Spencer Platt (Photographer). CPJ is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect freedom of press around the world.


WHEN: Wednesday, May 5, 2010, 9:00am – 5:00pm


WHERE: Titus Theatre at the Museum of Modern Art,
11 West 53rd St. (between 5th & 6th Ave) NYC, New York


CONTACT: Ana Sanchez, anasanchezpr@yahoo.com, 305-793-2548.