Clinton Global Initiative Members Cherie Blair and Hani Masri Collaborate to Support...

Clinton Global Initiative Members Cherie Blair and Hani Masri Collaborate to
Support Women Entrepreneurs in Nablus, West Bank

NEW YORK, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Cherie Blair, Founder of the Cherie Blair
Foundation for Women, and Hani Masri, a Palestinian American businessman and
Founder of Tomorrow's Youth Organization, launched a project that promotes
economic empowerment for women in at-risk communities in the West Bank.

A new 2009 Clinton Global Initiative commitment, the project reflects not only
the partners' priorities, but also themes of this year's event: the importance
of developing human capital in difficult economic times, particularly among
girls and women. By providing product development support, business training
and networks, the project helps women to develop sustainable businesses, which
will have immediate positive impact on the well-being of participants'
families and communities. The project will be piloted for one year and if
successful, scaled up to include more women and a wider range of businesses.

Cherie Blair said of the project, "I passionately believe that the greater the
role women play in our economy and society, the better our chance of
overcoming the challenges we face. That's why I'm so excited about the work
the Foundation is undertaking in partnership with TYO to enable women to
develop and build on their business talents and thus to help themselves, their
families, and wider society." Hani Masri added, "From my experience in the
political and economic affairs of the Middle East, and Palestine in
particular, I know that initiatives such as this one are the most expedient
and effective way to make real improvements in people's lives, and a necessary
bottom-up approach to complement ongoing diplomatic efforts."

For more information about the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, please visit
www.cherieblairfoundation.org, and www.tomorrowsyouth.org for information
about Tomorrow's Youth Organization.

SOURCE Cherie Blair Foundation for Women

Nell Derick Debevoise, +1-703-853-7067, nell@tomorrowsyouth.org