WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. /Florida Newswire/ — Toussaint L’Ouverture High School for Arts & Social Justice (TLHS) is pleased to announce that its Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Major Joseph M. Bernadel, US Army (Ret.), is invited by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in New York to attend a special event titled “Engaging Philanthropy to Promote Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment,” to be held at the UN Headquarters in NYC on the 22nd of February.

This “invitation-only” special event is co-organized by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the United Nations Office Partnership (UNOP), the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), in collaboration with the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP).

The forum will open with a special address by Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the UN and will consist of two leadership dialogues:
* Ending violence against women and girls, and
* Promoting women’s economic empowerment.

Participating as panelists in the dialogue will be leading CEOs including Mr. Alan Hassenfeld, Chairman of Hasbro, Inc., heads of foundations, high-level representatives of the UN system and leading NGOs. Ms. Gina Davis, an academy-award-winning actress, will provide concluding remarks and direction for follow-up action.

When asked his opinion about this invitation, Mr. Bernadel stated, “I am honored to have been selected to attend this special event at the United Nations. The discussions are in keeping with the commitment of Toussaint L’Ouverture High School for Arts & Social Justice to promote gender justice. “It is also,” continued Bernadel, “an aspect of Rethink Haiti, our outreach to Haiti, where gender equity and women’s empowerment are key components of development and national recovery.”

Bernadel intends to hold a seminar for TLHS students upon his return from the conference in order to share its insights.

More information: www.toussaintLouverture.org .