“RISE – Images of Life Change”

Innovative, Inspirational Book and Photography Exhibition Highlights the Millions of Lives Changed by Local Social Entrepreneurs

Dubai,United Arab Emirates - Tuesday, November 22nd 2011 [ME NewsWire]

The Legatum Foundation, the granting arm of the Dubai-based Legatum Group, announces the launch of “RISE – Images of Life Change,” a collection of photos and personal testimony which document and celebrate the work of a number of dedicated grass-roots leaders who have impacted nearly 11 million lives over the course of the last three years.An invitation-only exhibition and reception in support of the RISE book will occur at the DIFC on Tuesday, November 29, 6:30 – 8:30pm. Media wishing to attend the event should email their credentials to: RSVP@Legatum.comto receive an invitation.

In the summer of 2010, eight young, talented photographers were commissioned by Legatum to explore the Foundation’s grant portfolio and create an unforgettable record of a few of the transformations that they saw. The photographers travelled over 53,000 miles to eight countries, including Burundi, China, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Mali, Rwanda, and Zambia. Through the lens and words of these photographers, RISE underscores the strength of the human spirit in the midst of poverty and adversity, and is a celebration of hope and opportunity.

“RISE is a beautiful set of images which highlight the remarkable stories of people in very challenging situations overcoming the odds” said Steve Macleod, Commissioning Director for the RISE project. “Seen through the eyes of these talented photographers, every image in RISE was carefully selected and prepared to tell stories of courage, perseverance and hope. RISE not only captures what they saw, but is proof of lives being positively changed around the world.” “RISE – Images of Life Change” can be purchased directly from www.legatum.org/riseor by going to www.AbeBooks.com.

“The Legatum Foundation is delighted to support the publication of RISE, which celebrates the innate desire in every human being to better their own circumstances and fulfil their unique potential,” said Alan McCormick, Managing Director at Legatum. “Over the last decade, more than a thousand small, community-based organisations across the world have received support from the Legatum Foundation, wherever the need is greatest. RISE tells the stories of these remarkable, unsung heroes who are taking responsibility for improving the communities in which they live.”

Proceeds from the sales of RISE limited edition photographs and books will benefit the END Fund, a private philanthropy initiative dedicated to ending the prevalence of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Sub-Saharan Africa. For more information about the END Fund, please go to: www.endfund.org.

The Legatum Foundation grant investments are targeted at the bottom of the Prosperity Ladder, towards communities that are trapped by poverty and its consequences, for one reason or another: by debilitating illness, a natural disaster, a loss of liberty, limited access to education or credit, or something as simple as a lack of clean water. Legatum helps individuals to climb onto the first rung of the ladder to prosperity, through smart, low scale investments that create opportunity for recipients to maintain their dignity and help themselves.

ABOUT THE LEGATUM FOUNDATION

The Legatum Foundation is the granting arm of the Legatum group of companies, allocating capital at the bottom of the Prosperity LadderTMto projects, people and ideas that create sustainable prosperity. The Legatum Foundation applies the insights learned from 20 years of investing in the global capital markets to its granting activities. In this endeavour, Legatum is advised by Geneva Global, a philanthropic consulting firm that provides the leadership, coordination and portfolio management necessary to ensure that its funding achieves impact and changes lives. To date, over 18 million lives have been changed. For more information, please go to www.legatum.org

Contacts

Barbara Knight

Legatum

Tel: +971 4 317 5800

Barbara.Knight@legatum.com