CHEVRON AND DISCOVERY CHANNEL GLOBAL EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP RECEIVE 2009 U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS CIVIC LEADERSHIP CENTER PARTNERSHIP AWARD

Award Celebrates Educational Initiative Reaching 65 Communities Around the World

(San Ramon, Ca. & Silver Spring, Md.) - Chevron Corporation and the non-profit Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership (DCGEP) announced today that their collaboration to help educate students around the world has been awarded the 2009 Partnership Award by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center. The honor was presented during the 2009 Corporate Citizenship Awards at the U.S. Chamber's headquarters in Washington, D.C. on December 1.

Since 2002, Chevron and Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership have been revolutionizing education with 65 Learning Centers in underserved communities across Angola, Nigeria, South Africa, Venezuela and Brazil. Through the initiative, Learning Centers are established at school sites and teachers receive three years of in-depth training and mentoring, along with televisions, DVD players and libraries of high-quality, locally relevant educational videos to complement their lesson plans. To date, the Learning Centers established by Chevron and DCGEP have benefitted over 2,400 teachers, 104,000 students and 312,000 community members and produced astounding results, including increased student enrollment and heightened academic performance. 

"While our work is simple, the results are exceedingly powerful. Seeing students' eyes light up when they first witness a space shuttle leave the Earth's orbit affirms the importance of our mission, and we are thrilled that the U.S. Chamber recognizes the commitment that Chevron and Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership make every day to students and communities," said Dr. Gail Ifshin, President, Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership. "We look forward to continuing to provide enriching educational opportunities in the classroom and beyond."

Founded in 1997, Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership inspires and empowers teachers and students in over 250 communities across four continents, leveraging Discovery Communications' vast library of content to create custom programming in conjunction with local educators. Through DCGEP, teachers learn to use video to enhance math and science curriculums and to connect students to other lands, cultures, and ideas. As a result, educational subjects are brought to life for students - from the anatomy of the brain to the world of astrophysics - filling a void often left by limited resources, years of civil war or other unique challenges. By working together, Chevron and DCGEP are transforming education and uncovering a world of opportunity for students, teachers and community members around the world.

"Our partnership with Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership is one of the ways we bring Chevron's commitment to local community development to life," said Rhonda Zygocki, Vice President, Chevron Policy, Government and Public Affairs. "By investing in education in the communities where we operate, we are helping students around the world pursue their dreams and use their talents to enrich the places they call home."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center's Corporate Citizenship Awards showcase business, trade associations and chambers of commerce that have demonstrated ethical leadership and corporate stewardship, made a positive difference in their communities, and contributed to the advancement of important economic and social goals. During public online voting for the 2009 Partnership Award, over 20,000 votes and 1,000 comments were logged through the U.S. Chamber Business Civic Leadership Center contest website, surpassing 2008 participation-levels by almost two-fold.

About Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership
Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership (DCGEP) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization that for the past 12 years has been working in under-resourced schools around the world, using the power of television to increase student learning, teacher effectiveness and the community's access to information and involvement in their children's schools. The initiative is locally-managed, and involves a collaborative process of educational video program development that combines contributions of expertise and high-quality documentary footage from Discovery with the needs of educators in countries where DCGEP is active. In addition, DCGEP provides three years of teacher training and capacity building to ensure their ability to maximize the value of educational television as a tool for teaching and learning. For more information, please visit www.discoveryglobaled.org.

For more information about how Discovery Communications is making an impact on the world through its content, partnerships, employees, business practices and more, visit http://impact.discovery.com.

About Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, with subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide. The company's success is driven by the ingenuity and commitment of approximately 62,000 employees who operate across the energy spectrum. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and other energy products; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; provides energy efficiency solutions; and develops the energy resources of the future, including biofuels and other renewables. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

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CONTACT: Morgan Crinklaw, Chevron 925-842-5649, morgan.crinklaw@chevron.com Amber Harris, Discovery Communications 240-662-5235, amber_harris@discovery.com

Discovery Project graduates 486 teachers

The Learning Center project, developed by the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership jointly with Chevron’s sponsorship, benefited over 18,350 students and their families by optimizing the quality of education with audiovisual techniques.

Caracas, January 30th, 2009 – The Learning Center project in Venezuela, sponsored by Chevron since 2006, graduated 486 teachers. The schools are now entrusted with the responsibility to sustain this excellent educational program through the use of audiovisual content in their daily classes. Up to now, the project has benefited 18,350 students and 1,900 parents, all members of the communities of the 15 selected schools in Caracas, Zulia and Anzoátegui. The graduation of the Caracas schools was held at the Unidad Educativa Colegio “Don Pedro” located in Terrazas de las Acacias.

Wes Lohec, Managing Director for Chevron Latin America and Gail Ifshin, President of Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, hosted the graduation and representatives from the Ministry of the Popular Power for Education. “After three years working with the pilot schools and involving them in this important initiative, we are proud of their achievements and we trust that the teachers, students and parents will continue to give life to this project,” said Wes Lohec. “Learning Centers promote economic growth through the development of human capacities using audiovisual methods attractive to young students,” he added.

Communities also benefited from the project. That is the case of Unidad Educativa Colegio “Don Pedro” de Fe y Alegría, where knowledge acquired through videos about malnutrition inspired parents, students and teachers to work with the community to create a project to improve eating habits and confront the malnutrition in the schools. In Zulia, Unidad Educativa “Nuestra Señora del Sagrado Corazón” focused on the preservation of the indigenous Wayuu culture and succeeded in obtaining a professor of the Wayuu language, amongst additional achievements. Other schools concentrated their community projects in initiatives targeting the improvement of the school and sports facilities. “We are very proud and eager to repeat the experience in other Latin American countries, like we will do in Brazil. In Venezuela, we have built the foundation for the schools to adopt the program and take it to new and higher levels,” concluded Lohec.

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About Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies with subsidiaries that conduct business across the globe. The company’s success is driven by the ingenuity and commitment of approximately 59,000 employees who operate across the energy spectrum. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and other energy products and services; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; and develops and commercializes the energy resources of the future, including biofuels and other renewables. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron is available at WWW.CHEVRON.COM

About Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership
Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership (DCGEP) is a nonprofit organization that is committed to using the positive power of video to provide information and support community development in under-resourced schools and communities around the world. Since 1997 DCGEP has been bringing the highest quality educational content – created in collaboration with local communities – equipment, and long-term teacher training to populations left out of the information age. For more information please visit WWW.DISCOVERYGLOBALED.ORG

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CONTACT: Susana Brugada – 902 5667 – SBRUGADA@CHEVRON.COM

TCCAF: Bringing more focus to community development
Business Day Online

BY PHILIP OKAFOR

November 2008 - William Asiko is no doubt a big fish within the family of Coca-Cola Africa. As the president of the Cola-Cola African Foundation (TCCAF), he also chairs the company’s East & Central Africa Limited Staff Provident Fund board of Trustees.

A lawyer by professing, William is the Director of Public Affairs Communications for the Coca-Cola company in Africa. He was in Nigeria recently to witness the unveiling of the learning Centres in Lagos, a collaboration involving Coca-Cola, Chevron and Discovery Channel, where he spoke with PHILIP OKAFOR on varying issues, including the new education deal to establish learning centres in some primaries in Lagos.

The Coca-Cola African Foundation
The Coca-Cola African Foundation was established in 2001 as the corporate social responsibility of Cocoa-Cola Africa. Its role is to channel the corporate social investment for Cocoa-Cola Africa. We tie our corporate social responsibility work to our business and have four pillars for the Foundation. One of the biggest pillars is water. We engage in a lot of water programmes given that water is a critical ingredient for our business..
The Foundation also focuses on health. We have lots of health programmes-HIV/AIDS, malaria. These are programmes to ensure our communities and consumers are healthy. We also focus on the area of entrepreneurship because Africa is a continent where many countries are suffering from high unemployment.

Our final pillar is on education. Again, many countries in Africa suffer from inadequate education facilities. One of our biggest beliefs as Cocoa-Cola company is that our business cannot be healthy in the long-term unless the communities in which we do business are healthy.

Reason for five-pronged pillars
Actually, I mentioned four but there are five. The fifth one is humanitarian-disaster relief. This is where we respond to disaster. Each of this focused areas, including the fifth area, are all issues if you think about it that communities in Africa are suffering from.
The five areas have been selected on the basis that they represent some of the most pressing needs of communities in Africa.

Project partnership
The Discovery Channel of global education project partnership that we just launched, for us, is a partnership between the Cocoa-Cola African Foundation and the Discovery Channel Global Education. This is a partnership of 11 countries and Nigeria is just one. We have projects in 11 countries in Africa, one of which we have come to launch in Nigeria.

The partnership in total has eight schools in Nigeria , all of them in Lagos . This is the pilot phase that we are seeking to do, and we sponsor four of the schools while Chevron co-sponsors the other four.

This is the first time the partnership has come to Nigeria, and it takes a while for it to get attraction. We are trying to figure out how effective it can be. So, you find out that all the schools selected are in Lagos where we can monitor them closely, after which we will look into how we can expand into other parts of the country.

Significance of synergy
I cannot speak for the Discovery Channel or Chevron, but I can say that the partnership is among the three, with Discovery Global Education partnership being the implementing partner. In fact, Discovery is running the programme on the ground; they are doing the training of the teachers, providing the programming, monitoring and evaluation, as well as the follow-up.
For the Cocoa-Cola Africa Foundation and Chevron, we are financing partners. Although we work very closely with Discovery, we are not involved in the day-to-day running of the partnership. It is done by the implementing partner, the Discovery. We monitor and help with the selection of the schools and whenever there are problems, we help to resolve them.

Insights into project launch
We have launched the projects in many countries in Africa, and I have always come to realise that whenever I launch a project in Nigeria , the Nigerians do a very good job of it. Yesterday, we also had the opportunity to visit the schools where the project is being implemented, and it was very pleasing to me to see the children in action; see the teachers in action and more so, to see the parents participating in the project. This, to me, is sort of the best endorsement you can have in a community work.
In addition, we have been pleased with the initial results, given that this is the first year we have tried the project. We are seeing an increment in the enrolment of students where the centres have been sited. We are talking about students from the streets coming to school to get education and enjoying it very much. Everything seems to be positive at this stage with regard to the project, and I am very pleased with my visit to Nigeria.

Social investment in Africa
Cocoa-Cola as a company is known globally to be involved with communities since its inception in 1895. Cocoa-Cola is a local business on a global scale. So, we are involved in communities, our bottling plants are placed in communities. We have been interacting and work on community projects.
The objective of establishing the Cocoa-Cola African Foundation was to bring more focus to our community works. Prior to 2001, everybody in their offices in different countries was busy doing their own thing. Although the work was very much appreciated, it was not very coordinated. So the establishment of the Cocoa-Cola African Foundation brought lots of coordination in our work. We are now able to talk about programmes that are pan-African in nature.

Managing success
There is no secret with regard to our business. We focus on giving consumers a choice of products. We focus on making the products affordable, particularly in Africa, as well as fulfilling the consumers' needs. These focused areas, I think, are the areas that we have consistently focused on. Whether it is a secret or not, it has worked for us in all the markets we do business.

Working with Coca-Cola
From my personal perspective, the ride has been very enjoyable. I joined the company in 1994 in Kenya, and I've been privileged to work for the company in many different countries. I am also very proud of the people I have met because, at Coca-Cola, we hire the best people. I am very proud of our associates, and my experience with the company has been very positive.

Nigeria in a word
Nigeria is a very important country, not just for Africa but for the world. It is well known that after South Africa , Nigeria is the second largest economy on the continent. It is known as a cultural destination in Africa where people are passionate.

On a global scale, it has got oil reserve which is legendary, and so it is key a player globally with regard to strategic interest to oil prices, among others. Nigeria is also a key market for Coca-Cola. It is the second largest market after South Africa for us. Personally, I am a very big fan of Nigeria . I have travelled around the country extensively and do feel that Nigeria will continue to be a big market for the Coca-Cola company.

Duties as Director of Public Affairs
Public affairs and communications focuses on corporate and external affairs, media, community works, among others. We have operated a unit called the Cocoa-Cola Africa, and I coordinate the activities of the Public Affairs and Communications functions for Cocoa-Cola Africa. I am assisted by a number of people who help in particular geographies across the continent, but I am just helping to coordinate.

Author of this article: PHILIP OKAFOR

DCGEP Moves to Transform Country Educational System
AllAfrica.Com

Vanguard (Lagos)
By Success Uzokwe

November 11, 2008 - Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership (DCGEP), an organisation that has been working in under-resourced schools around the world, has established audio-visual (television) Learning Centers to transform Nigerian Educational system with the support of The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation (TCCAF) and Chevron Corporation.
The establishment of the Learning Centre is aimed at using the power of television to increase student learning, increase teacher effectiveness, and increase the community access to information and involvement in their children's school, provide capacity building and teacher training to ensure their ability to maximize the value of educational television as a tool for teaching and learning, over a period of three years.

These were the exact words of Dr Chinwe Effiong, the Programme Director, DCGEP, during her presentation at the recently held media briefing in Lagos.

She said the Learning Center project will change the Nigerian educational system from a linear learning system to a dynamic attractive session between teachers and students.

She further stated that the Learning Centres were established in Lagos in May 2008 in eight primary schools (Ajiran, Badore, Ikota and SEED Primary Schools in Lekki funded by Chevron and Girls Modern Academy, St. George's Girls, Hope and Ikoyi Primary Schools in Ikoyi funded by The Coca-Cola).

The schools serve 5,600 students and 15,000 community members. Approximately, 130 teachers from the schools are receiving three years of intensive training, monitoring and technical support.

Mr. Femi Odumabo, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited said Chevron is proud to be associated with the programme which has started having transformational effects on the educational systems in the country.

"Permit me to reflect briefly on why Chevron is in this project. It is being implemented as part of our Corporate Responsibility initiative. Education is one of the pivots on which the company's social responsibility and community development activity revolve. This is because of the ability of the sector to stimulate sustainable positive development across other sectors.

The common thread that runs through the experience of all the schools since the commencement of the programme is an overall increase in pupil enrolment. In Ikota, enrolment increased from about 560 to 750 (18%), Ajiran increased from 300 to 374 (25%) while in SEED, it increased from 313 to 413 (31%). Amazingly, enrolment increased in Badore by 50% from about 450 to 682. Furthermore, in Badore, there has been a reachout programme that has brought in 300 secondary school students into the programme. Some of the teachers that benefitted from the training are now more competitive," he said.

The organisation was established primarily to help narrow the growing information gap between developed and developing countries. They focus their attention on countries outside of the United States where opportunities for access and connection through television and video do not exist or are extremely limited.

William Akiko, Director, Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, Public Affairs & Communication, Coca-Cola Africa said all stakeholders need to put resources together to make the Learning Centre project more successful.

DCGEP has put in place a comprehensive learning and evaluation plan to assess attitudinal and academic impacts of the programme. The monitoring and evaluation plan is also focused on continuous qualitative assessment so that lessons learned regarding strengths and weaknesses of the implementation can be used to facilitate programme improvements during the three-year project period. Baseline surveys have been administered in all the new Nigerian Learning Centres. Survey data will be collected again after the first year of the project.

Academic gains will be assessed using results from standardized end-of-year examinations. And finally, data, including school enrollment, attendance, and absentee rates - all potential proxies for measuring impact - will be collected yearly.

There is great potential for the Learning Centre project to make a meaningful contribution to meeting the educational and informational needs of rural and under-served communities. For example, Learning Centres in Namibia are open to the rural communities, where they watch videos on HIV/AIDS. DCGEP Volunteer Coordinators are appointed by the Namibian Ministry of Education to serve as HIV/AIDS Education Coordinators. The same model is applied in many Learning Centres throughout Angola, particularly in the rural areas.


Copyright © 2008 Vanguard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

Chevron, The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation and
Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership,
Celebrate the Launch of Learning Centers in Nigeria

Celebration Event October 28-29 Showcases Media Technology
and Teacher Training Program Supporting 5,600 Lagos Students

Lagos, Nigeria, October 23, 2008 - Chevron Nigeria Ltd. (CNL), Coca-Cola Nigeria (CCN), The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation and Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Education, celebrate the launch of an innovative education project in Lagos involving eight new Learning Centers and a teacher training program.

The two-day event which will be held between October 28 and 29, 2008 will highlight the accomplishments of the Lagos Learning Center project to date and provide an opportunity for partners to visit some of the schools participating in the program. The project will be formally launched by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) on October 29 at the Magnolia Hall, Onikan, Lagos.
The Learning Center project equips teachers from eight primary schools in the Lekki and Ikoyi areas to use educational media technology and programming to complement classroom learning for more than 5,600 students, and 15,000 community members. The participating primary schools are Ajiran, Badore, Ikota and SEED Primary Schools in Lekki and Girls Modern Academy, St. George’s Girls, Hope and Ikoyi Primary Schools in Ikoyi. Approximately 130 teachers from the schools are receiving three years of support and training, which enables them to creatively integrate educational video content into their curricular objectives. The training began in February 2008.

Each school received media technology including televisions, a DVD player and culturally relevant DVDs that are designed to assist learners to better understand a broad range of subject matter and become active participants in the learning process. The schools also received power generating sets to augment public power supply. The Learning Centers also operate as versatile community resources to benefit parents, grassroots organizations and health care workers who desire to receive and distribute information through TV and video.
“Chevron is proud of its involvement in this project and the successes that have been recorded so far,” said Fred Nelson, Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria Limited. “Investing in our community is a core Chevron value. We are participating in this project because we strongly believe in its value as a great initiative that will empower Nigerian children, teachers and communities to acquire media technology for the benefit of individuals and the society. We would like to thank the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership and The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation for partnering with us on this project. This partnership underscores Chevron’s goal of applying collective resources and expertise to achieve greater long-term benefit for the communities where we operate and beyond,” he added.

William Asiko, President of The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation said, “We recognize that education is a key factor in realizing Africa’s development potentials. It is therefore gratifying to learn that the project is already having a positive impact on class attendance and pupil enrolment in some of the schools. The Coca-Cola Company through The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation will continue to invest in the wellbeing and progress of our communities here in Nigeria, as this is the basis for sustainable business growth. We thank our project partners, the government of Lagos State, and the authorities of the various schools whose exemplary collaboration has made this partnership a success.”

Dr. Gail Ifshin, President of the nonprofit Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership said, “We would like to extend our gratitude to education officials in Nigeria, and to the schools themselves, for their partnership in the Learning Center initiative. And we would also like to thank our corporate partners, Chevron, Coca-Cola, The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation and Discovery Communications for making it possible to launch this pilot in Nigeria. It is our hope that additional partners will join us so that together we can extend the reach to more students and communities.”

Babatunde Fashola, Executive Governor of Lagos State describes the program as "an innovative initiative to improve the quality of education in Nigeria which is bound to produce teachers and pupils exposed to modern learning techniques worldwide. I am particularly impressed with the collaboration among some of the most notable private sector players in the Nigerian economy. To its credit again, the program has taken note of the high student enrolment in Lagos and rightly opted to start with the pilot phase from here”.

About Chevron
Chevron Corporation is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies with subsidiaries that conduct business across the globe. The company’s success is driven by the ingenuity and commitment of approximately 59,000 employees who operate across the energy spectrum. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and other energy products and services; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; and develops and commercializes the energy resources of the future, including biofuels and other renewables. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

About The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation
The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation was created in 2001 to manage the community investments of the Coca-Cola System in Africa. Over the years, it has invested substantially in the areas of education, health and the environment; and continues to partner with credible institutions, leveraging the Coca-Cola System’s unparalleled manufacturing and distribution network, to access some of Africa’s most remote locations for community development and numerous disaster relief efforts across the continent. In collaboration with Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation funds and implements projects across Nigeria aimed at enabling communities and touching lives.

About Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership
Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership (DCGEP) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that for the past 11 years has been working in under-resourced schools around the world, using the power of television to increase student learning, increase teacher effectiveness, and increase the community’s access to information and involvement in their children’s schools. The initiative is locally-managed, and involves a collaborative process of educational video program development that combines contributions of expertise and high quality documentary footage from Discovery with the needs of educators in each country where we work. In addition, DCGEP provides three years of teacher training and capacity building to ensure their ability to maximize the value of educational television as a tool for teaching and learning. For more information please visit www.discoveryglobaled.org.

- Ends –

Contacts:
Chevron Nigeria Ltd. Eng. Femi Odumabo +234-01-366-0000
Coca-Cola Nigeria Dayo Oluwole +234-803-978-0426
The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation Sherree Shereni +27-11-644-0351
DCGEP Chinwe Effiong +1-240-662-7586 OR
+234-807-297-0801 (Oct. 21-Nov. 1)

Discover your future with Chevron
The Daily Journal

By Virginia Casulo. DJ Staff

June 25, 2008 - Children are the future of a country and Chevron is aware of the potential talents every community has in their children.

That is why they always invest in them. Recently the Project "Learning Centers", sponsored by Chevron and led by the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership foundation was successfully completed after benefiting more than 11,000 children and 511 teachers of a total of 15 schools located in Caracas, Zulia and Anzoátegui.
Part of the agenda was a week for exchanging experiences among a group of teachers, parents and principals of the participating schools.

The "Learning Centers" are an initiative that Chevron has been sponsoring since 2005 with the purpose of bringing to the schools all the topics in an entertaining way that also inspires the community to develop projects to benefit them all.

The tool: using videos as teaching material.
Each school with a "Learning Center" also received a three year training for teachers and technical support on how to use the audiovisual tools efficiently in the classroom and as a community resource especially in low re-source schools.

During the last two weeks, 5 of the schools of Caracas, and 4 of the schools of Zulia submitted products and materials developed from one project per school, which was the result of team- work among teachers, students and their parents or representatives.

To that respect, each school identified and looked for solutions to specific problems of their communities, from solving the malnutrition or the garbage problem up to creating a parent encounter network with the purpose of relating the parents to the educational process.

The solutions were presented through a structured project that includes alliances with governmental and non-governmental entities as well as participants of different sectors of the community. In the near future, 6 schools from Anzoátegui State will submit their results.

Chevron has focused in optimizing the access to a good quality education by means of improving the infrastructure and capacitation of teachers.

This initiative is a great example of the special interest the private companies have in Venezuela.

Teach for Africa
Getting students in local classrooms better acquainted with Africa will help Africans — and us
Houston Chronicle

June 22, 2008 -The history of the triangular slave trade, the horrors of the middle passage and a smattering of colonial rule are just about the sum total of what many American children learn about the continent of Africa during their school years. Most of what American adults know about Africa revolves around a sense of misery based on news stories of war, disease and poverty. This is an educational shortchanging that is detrimental both to Africa and the United States.

There are 47 to 54 countries in Africa, depending on how disputed lands and nearby island nations are counted. Too often, these diverse countries, with their individual histories, many languages and diverse cultures, are simply lumped together in any discussion of Africa. If conflict is brewing in Eritrea or genocide raging in the Darfur region of Sudan, the perception is that all of Africa is at war. If children are starving in Niger and in Ethiopia, all African children must be suffering from hunger.

In truth, Africans endure many troubles. Women suffer high rates of death in child birth, and child mortality is high. Many Africans live in poverty and suffer under the rule of oppressive dictatorships. But it's important to understand that Africans are not backward people helpless to improve their lives.

Many Americans will be startled to learn, for example, that according to an analysis of Census data and information gleaned from 13 annual Houston-area surveys conducted by Rice University, Nigerian immigrants in Houston and the United States have higher levels of educational attainment than any other ethnic group, including whites and Asians. That is no surprise, however, to many of the well-educated Africans who leave their home countries to live in Europe and the United States.

According to a BBC World Service documentary and broadcast on Public Radio International's The Changing World program, many African nations are pretty good at producing well-trained college graduates, including the scientists and medical professionals who are needed to improve agricultural output and solve the ravages of epidemic diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

What these countries can't seem to do is hold onto this desperately needed educated class. Why? For the most basic reasons, scientists become frustrated by unreliable infrastructure — electricity that shuts off unpredictably, thawing experimental cultures, or by a lack of funding for lab staff, supplies and equipment. That's why so many highly skilled African doctors and scientists now work at MIT; King's College, Cambridge; and other of the United States' and Europe's most prestigious institutions. They get an offer, and they jump at the opportunity to do the work for which they trained so long and hard.

Africa's infrastructure hobbles it in other ways as well. According to a United Nations advocate for Africa's poorest countries, inadequate communications networks and typically unpaved roads make it hard for Africans to compete in the global economy. During the continent's colonial period, more roads were built leading to the sea than connecting cities. It is easy to envision not just the best and brightest of Africa's human capital draining from the continent, but also its vast wealth in natural resources.

By learning more about these neglected countries, Americans can influence changes in U.S. policies that contribute to conditions that invite suffering while wasting U.S. tax dollars in the process. For example, the United States sends surplus American food to Africa. This is supposed to relieve hunger but often serves to entrench poverty by undercutting local farmers.

That's why the Teach Africa Plan that Texas state Sen. Rodney Ellis is working to launch in Houston-area schools is such a good idea. The program, with support from the World Affairs Council, the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, aims to incorporate topics into school curricula to beef up their anemic offerings on African culture, economics and history. Teaching Houston students more about this enormous and important continent of more than 1 billion people will combat the negative perceptions of Africa and African people that are perpetuated by simple lack of knowledge.

Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Discovery Communications Takes On Global Epidemics - Global media company capable of reaching millions with critical education and awareness-raising messages


New York, NY – May 14, 2008 – The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC) announced today that Discovery Communications, with channels reaching more than 1.5 billion people in over 170 countries, has joined the Coalition as its newest member.

“Working with an influential organization like the Global Business Coalition enables us to further our mission of creating compelling programming that educates people and has the power to improve their lives,” said John Hendricks, Founder and Chairman of Discovery Communications. “In partnership with the Coalition, we will be able to help provide vital information to the 1.5 billion people that we reach through our networks and media platforms. We are delighted to be in such good company.”

“With more than 100 TV networks and numerous digital platforms worldwide, Discovery Communications is uniquely positioned to communicate critical information on the AIDS, TB and malaria epidemics to millions of people in ways that few others can,” said Dr. John Tedstrom, GBC’s Executive Director. “We’re committed to focusing the power of businesses’ ingenuity and resources against these epidemics. Discovery’s engagement with the Coalition is a major asset in the global fight. Discovery also can compound their considerable efforts via GBC networks around the world.”

Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, a nonprofit organization founded and spearheaded by Discovery Communications, uses the power of television to improve lives in the developing world. The Partnership provides schools and community centers in underserved areas with television equipment, three years of teacher training in the use of TV in the classroom and community at large, and the on-going delivery of award-winning video programming produced in collaboration with the communities served by the project.

The Partnership’s new film, “Inside Story: The Science of HIV/AIDS,” currently in development, puts science at the center of a conversation that is frequently clouded by stigma, misinformation and fear. The film adopts a unique, user-friendly approach based on survey data indicating there is high level of awareness about HIV/AIDS in Africa but that a lack of public knowledge about the science of HIV is a hindrance to interventions on the continent. Scientific animation and a compelling dramatic story will be woven together to reveal how HIV affects the body.

Discovery Communications has provided significant development funds for the film and the Partnership is actively seeking other sponsors. It will be distributed via theaters, broadcast and satellite television, and other charitable organizations across sub-Sahara Africa.

The Partnership’s new film is just the latest effort by Discovery Communications' to inform and educate people on issues that affect their everyday lives, which has been core to its mission since Discovery Channel debuted in 1985. In 1987, Discovery televised one of the very first AIDS documentaries, “On The Brink: A Chronicle of AIDS”, before the disease and its impact were fully understood.

About Discovery Communications Corporate Social Responsibility
From its early beginnings Discovery has held a deep commitment to appreciate and celebrate the world around us. Through its global television networks, Discovery reaches more than 1.5 billion people with the highest quality informative, entertaining and educational programming bringing the world to our viewers.. We harness this same power to help improve peoples lives with a focus on education, science and the environment. Through initiatives like the nonprofit Discovery Channel Global Educaiton Partnership and the Young Scientist Challenge, as well as our ongoing efforts to promote environmental stewardship, Discovery is investing in our shared future. Inspiring curiosity through the wonders of discovery.

About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications is the world’s number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

About GBC
The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC) is a coalition of more than 220 companies united to keep the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria a global priority. The Coalition’s members share learnings from the front lines of the fight, and GBC provides tailored support so that companies can take an active role in defeating the pandemics. GBC also organizes collective actions among companies, and links the public and private sectors in ways that pool talents and resources. The official focal point of the private sector delegation to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, GBC maintains offices in New York, Paris, Johannesburg, Beijing, Geneva, Nairobi, Moscow, and Kyiv.

For more information about business action against global epidemics, visit: http://www.gbcimpact.org

# # #

Media Inquiries Please Contact:
David Stearns, GBC Media Relations Manager
Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS TB and Malaria
+1-212-584-1633 (direct line)
+1-646-361-8058 (mobile)
dstearns@gbcimpact.org

Elizabeth Hillman, SVP Communications
Discovery Channel
+1-240-662-2664
+1-240-461-3053
Elizabeth_hillman@discovery.com

More than Television: Discovery Channel’s NonProfit Initiative Encourages Learning eLearning Africa.Com


April 28, 2008 TV can be used as a powerful tool for learning in schools where textbooks and teaching materials are rare – this is demonstrated by the following success story from one of DCGEP’s Learning Centers.

Umkhathizwe Primary School is one of the DCGEP Learning Centers in Africa. The school was one of the first schools ever built in Thokoza township, just outside of Johannesburg in South Africa. It serves a historically disadvantaged community where 56 percent of the people are unemployed. From 1990 to 1994, during the transition from apartheid to democracy, this area was a hotspot of political violence, and for the last decade, it has suffered the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS. About 16 percent of Umkhathizwe’s students are orphans. The Partnership launched the Learning Center project at Umkhathizwe Primary School in October 1998.

Through training and practice, educators at Umkhathizwe have become adept at using television to accomplish a variety of learning objectives. Nancy Tshabalala, a third grade teacher at the school, cleverly integrates videos into a variety of subjects. Using the programme, People of the Nile, Nancy shows the class the footage of a tribe of nomadic cattle herders. She pauses the video on a herd of cattle and teaches her students a math lesson by asking them to count the number of cows, multiply that figure by the number of legs to know how many legs there are and subtract the appropriate numbers when they see cows leaving the herd. Nancy holds the interest of the class by using television to show real-life images that illustrate mathematical concepts.

“Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership has brought the world to our classroom. We are travelling places, places we have never seen before, all because of television,” said Bongi Msimang, the former principal of Umkhathizwe Primary School in South Africa.

The learning content is developed in close collaboration with the communities, to meet their specific needs and to produce culturally-relevant programming. The programmes cover Physical Sciences, Cultures, Geography, Health, Biology and many other topics.
Besides serving educational purposes, the Learning Centers also provide the communities with access to national and international news, as well as the opportunity to enjoy live sports events. Although mostly set up in schools, Learning Centers can be established in any location central to community life. Most Learning Centers are utilised as community centers after school hours providing workshops on HIV/AIDS, other critical public health issues and skills training. The sites for Learning Centers are carefully selected. After three years of training and monitoring, the Learning Centers become a self-sustaining resource for the community.

Having started in South Africa as Discovery Communications' corporate initiative, DCGEP, now an independent non-profit organisation currently reaches over 515,000 students and 6,900 teachers in Africa alone. Globally, the organisation works in 11 countries in three regions of the world (Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America). Seven of these countries (Angola, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe) are in Africa with expansion activities currently underway in four new African countries (Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and Morocco). As of today, DCGEP has reached over 611,000 children and 1,833,000 community members have access to Learning Center facilities. There are currently 221 active DCGEP Learning Centers.

More information visit http://www.discoveryglobaled.org/

Chevron, The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation and Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership Launch Learning Centers in Nigeria
Program to Support 20,000 Nigerian Students and Community Members with Media Technology and Teacher Training

San Ramon, CA, Silver Spring, MD, Atlanta, GA, Feb. 14, 2008 – Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, Chevron (CVX: NYSE), and The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation are working together to extend the power of educational media technology to more than 20,000 Nigerian students and community members with the launch of eight Learning Centers and a teacher training program in under-resourced schools in Lagos, Nigeria.

Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership (the Partnership), a nonprofit organization that works in schools and communities around the world, equips each school – called a Learning Center – with a television; DVD player; a library of specially produced, locally relevant educational video programming; and access to information from any source that meets the needs of the school and community. Each Learning Center also receives three years of teacher training and technical support in how to use television and video effectively in the classroom and as a community resource.

"This partnership underscores Chevron's goal of applying collective resources and expertise in order to achieve greater long-term benefit for the communities where we operate," said Fred Nelson, managing director, Chevron Nigeria Ltd. "Our experience of the Partnership in Angola, South Africa and Venezuela has shown that the program clearly supports the professional development of teachers and brings increased parent and community involvement in the schools. This is a clear example of the value that a public-private partnership with a locally managed project strategy can bring to communities."

In the words of William Asiko, President of The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, "We are happy at this opportunity to partner with Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership and Chevron Corporation to bring technology into the classrooms of primary school children in Nigeria. This approach is innovative and helps to prepare these children for today's high tech world."

"Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership is pleased to build on our relationship with Chevron and The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation in Africa and Latin America to bring educational resources to schools and communities in Nigeria," said Dr. Gail Ifshin, executive director, Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership. "We look forward to working with the Ministry of Education and teachers in Nigeria to help increase educational opportunities for their students and the surrounding communities."

Eight schools in Lagos are participating in the project, which targets children and communities that lack access to technology and information. Approximately 130 teachers in Lagos will participate in training workshops in this first phase. The project is expected to reach 20,000 students and community members combined. It is hoped that new partners will join in the future to help extend the reach to more students and communities in Nigeria.

Chevron and The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation are pleased to be extending their relationship with Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership into Nigeria, building upon ongoing initiatives the companies have with the Partnership in Latin America and other parts of Africa.

About Chevron

Chevron Corporation is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies with subsidiaries that conduct business across the globe. The company's success is driven by the ingenuity and commitment of approximately 59,000 employees who operate across the energy spectrum. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and other energy products and services; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; and develops and commercializes the energy resources of the future, including biofuels and other renewables. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

About The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation

The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation was created in 2001 to manage the community investments of the Coca-Cola System in Africa. Over the last six years, it has invested substantially in the areas of education, health and the environment; and continues to partner with credible institutions, leveraging the System's unparalleled manufacturing and distribution network, to access some of Africa's most remote locations for community development and numerous disaster relief efforts across the continent.

About Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership

Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public charity that was spearheaded by Discovery Communications Inc. in 1997 as an effort to bring together partners from the private and public sectors in support of a unique, international, grassroots education and technology project serving populations left out of the information age. Together with locally appropriate video programming and long-term training, television is being used to enhance learning and understanding, share new ideas, honor traditions, and stimulate a sense of community at a local and global level. Today, over 540,000 children plus their communities in 11 countries around the world have access to valuable information tailored to their needs. For more information please visit www.discoveryglobaled.org.

DCGEP and the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation Partner on Educational Initiative

Silver Spring, Md. (May, 2007) – Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership (DCGEP) and The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation (TCCAF) have announced a new partnership dedicated to increasing educational opportunities for children and communities across Africa. The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation has granted DCGEP $10 Million over five years to fund the expansion of the organization’s future education projects in underserved communities on the continent.

Founded in 2001, The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation continues to strategically invest in four priority areas to encourage sustainable development in Africa: health, water, entrepreneurship, and education. One of the few organizations with a presence in all the countries on the African continent, TCCAF recently identified Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership as the most compatible organization to lead the educational flagship of their community partnership initiatives across the continent.

Currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, DCGEP was launched by Discovery Communications, Inc. in 1997 and has a proven track record of establishing sustainable community information hubs, called Learning Centers, in underserved schools. The organization’s comprehensive implementation strategy includes providing schools with a television and DVD/VCR player, three years of teacher training, and a library of culturally relevant programs produced by DCGEP, in the appropriate language.

“Children all over the world are eager to learn, but many lack resources and opportunities. Our partnership with TCCAF will enable us to reach more children in Africa through a program that has demonstrated its ability to improve learning outcomes, teacher effectiveness and community involvement in schools,” said Gail Ifshin, Executive Director of DCGEP.

Carole Wainaina, President of The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, noted “We are delighted to partner with Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, enabling this unique organization to scale up and maximize the impact of their innovative, structured approach to enriching student learning in Africa.”

Over the past ten years, DCGEP has established 194 Learning Centers in 10 countries around the world, six of which are in Africa. Each Learning Center participates in three years of training and technical support provided by local DCGEP staff.  By investing in developing capacity among its local trainers, and within the school itself, the DCGEP ensures that each Learning Center has the greatest potential for success and long-term sustainability.  Ninety-five percent of Learning Centers continue to sustain the project on their own after the three year period. 

The $10 million grant from TCCAF will expand DCGEP’s reach in Angola, Namibia, South Africa, and Uganda, and will bring the Learning Center project for the first time to Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Morocco. Together TCCAF and DCGEP will bring educational resources and teacher training to nearly 70 more schools in these nine countries, bringing the number of students reached to nearly one million by 2012.

For additional information, go to www.discoveryglobaled.org.

Actor Dennis Haysbert Named Global Spokesperson of
Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership

Silver Spring, Md. (March, 2007) – Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership announced today that actor Dennis Haysbert has been named global spokesperson for the nonprofit organization that brings educational opportunities to underserved schools and communities around the world.

As global spokesperson for the Partnership, Haysbert hopes to increase public awareness of the Global Education Partnership as it kicks off its 10th anniversary year. The Partnership is a charitable organization dedicated to using the power of television to provide information to children and communities in underserved areas throughout the world. In its first ten years, the Partnership succeeded in reaching over 475,000 children through 191 school-based Learning Centers in Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and Romania.

“It is an honor for me to represent Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership as its global spokesperson,” said Dennis Haysbert. “Having seen the impact of the Partnership’s work firsthand, I believe more than ever in the power of television to make a positive difference in people’s lives.”

"We are thrilled to have Dennis Haysbert represent our organization. He is passionate about educating children and has a special interest in South Africa -- where the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership first launched ten years ago," said Gail Ifshin, Executive Director, Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership. "We look forward to working with Dennis to inform more people about the Partnership and our goal of bringing educational resources to schools and communities that need them the most."

 

Chevron and Discovery Channel Launch Education Initiative in South Africa

For Immediate Release: August 02, 2006

SAN RAMON, Calif., and SILVER SPRING, Md. – An education initiative by Chevron Corporation and Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership is set to bring the information age to thousands of children in under-resourced communities in South Africa with the opening of five new Learning Centers in Limpopo Province.

“Using television as an educational tool, the Learning Centers focus on advancing educational opportunities to build stronger communities,” said James Ngubo, community investment manager for Chevron’s Caltex South Africa operation. “It is our hope that we can help provide teachers with new tools to address educational goals important to the economic and social wellbeing of their communities.”

The Learning Centers serve more than 3,000 children of farmers, laborers, domestic workers and the unemployed, in addition to a substantial number of AIDS orphans. All teachers in the schools will be trained in the use of television and video as an educational tool.

“We believe in the positive power of video to expand horizons and to help generate personal and community development among those living in under-resourced areas,” said Dr. Gail Ifshin, executive director, Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership. “By bringing the highest quality educational content, equipment and training to populations left out of the information age, we seek to create sustainable local and global communities of learning.”

Each Learning Center is equipped with a television; DVD player; a library of specially produced, locally relevant educational video programming; and access to information from any source that meets the needs of the school and community. Each Learning Center receives three years of teacher training and technical support in how to use television and video effectively in the classroom and as a community resource.

Addressing teachers being trained in Limpopo, Fraser Ramphisa, district education officer for the Limpopo Ministry of Education said, “The Ministry of Education, Chevron and the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership have formed a relationship that services, uplifts and transforms the five schools of Sekhukhune. Today you are ambassadors of your schools. This is a golden opportunity for life. Take it and run away with it.”

Dr. Ifshin said that teachers in Limpopo have embraced the training as an opportunity for professional and personal development, boosting their confidence and self-esteem as educators. “Teachers returned to their schools to pass their new skills on to their colleagues,” she added. “They also use the television to help parents and communities obtain information on social grants, government services and AIDS awareness and prevention.”

The Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership and Chevron have reached 46 schools and communities since 2003, including projects in Angola, Venezuela and now, South Africa. Chevron Learning Centers serve more than 53,000 students and teachers to date, plus approximately 160,000 community members.

About Chevron Corporation
Chevron is committed to contributing to the social and economic development of the communities in which it operates. In 2005, Chevron invested $73 million in community initiatives around the world, nearly 65 percent of which was directed toward long-term, capacity-building projects. Chevron Corporation is one of the world’s leading energy companies. With more than 53,000 employees, Chevron subsidiaries conduct business in approximately 180 countries around the world, producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas, and refining, marketing and distributing fuels and other energy products. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information on Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

Discovery Communications, Inc.
Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public charity that was spearheaded by Discovery Communications Inc. in 1997 as an effort to bring together partners from the private and public sectors in support of a unique, international, grassroots education and technology project serving populations left out of the information age. Today, over 474,000 children plus 1.4 community members in 10 countries around the world have access to valuable information tailored to their needs.

Discovery Communications donates resources for computer lab at girls' school in Uganda

For Immediate Release: March 09, 2006

SILVER SPRING, MD – Discovery Communications announced today the donation of resources for a computer lab at a girls’ school in Uganda. As part of its effort to increase access to technology and education in under-resourced communities in Africa, Discovery’s donation of 55 laptop computers, a server, software and computer training for teachers to the Nalinya Lwantale Girls’ School near Luwero, Uganda, will be available to the 600 students enrolled at the school for the first time.

“Discovery is committed to extending the power of technology to the schools and communities that need it the most around the world, and we’re pleased to be able to provide resources to help increase student achievement at this school,” said Judith A. McHale, President and Chief Executive Officer of Discovery Communications. “Technology is a powerful tool that breaks down barriers to learning -- no matter where in the world you may live – and we are exposing these teachers and students to new, exciting ways of educating and learning.”

McHale visited the Nalinya Lwantale Girls’ School in 2004 to observe the impact of the work of the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, a non-profit organization spearheaded by Discovery Communications. Impressed by the students’ curiosity and desire to learn and by the teachers’ ardent request for computers, McHale initiated the process to help establish a computer lab at the school upon returning to Discovery.

Active in the school since 2002, the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership addresses the lack of access to basic technology that limits the ability of millions of children to get the kind of education they need for a better future by equipping underserved schools with television technology, locally relevant educational videos and long-term teacher training in the use of video as a tool for learning and as a community resource. The Partnership is overseeing the coordination of the project, and its efforts have galvanized several corporations into action. Discovery has partnered with Microsoft to provide all of the computers with Microsoft Office software, and with DHL, the global delivery network, to ship the resources to the school.

Planning a long-term partnership with the school to ensure the success of the computer lab, Discovery developed an agreement with SchoolNet Uganda, an organization that supports educators and students in Uganda by providing technical expertise in the areas of technology and curriculum development, to provide intensive teacher training over the next two months and ongoing monitoring of the computer lab and teacher development for three years.

The Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership project first launched in Uganda in 2000. Including the Nalinya Lwantale Girls’ School, today there are 18 schools involved in the initiative, serving more than 82,000 students. About 2,000 teachers have been trained in the use of television and video as an educational tool to date in Uganda.
Discovery Communications, Inc.

Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in 170 countries and territories with nearly 1.4 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI’s over 100 networks of distinctive programming represent 27 network entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Military Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Discovery en Español, Discovery Kids en Español, Discovery HD Theater, FitTV, Discovery Travel & Living (Viajar y Vivir), Discovery Home & Health and Discovery Real Time. DCI’s other properties consist of Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce, which operates more than 100 Discovery Channel Stores in the U.S. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI’s ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company’s Founder and Chairman.

Chevron Corporation and Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership
Launch Learning Centers in Venezuela
For Immediate Release: October 20, 2005

SAN RAMON, CA., and SILVER SPRING, MD. – Chevron Corporation and Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership are working together to extend the power of educational media technology to more than 10,000 Venezuelan students in under-resourced schools with the launch of 15 new Learning Centers.

“It is very exciting for us to join in this wonderful and creative project to motivate Venezuelan children in their educational development,” said Ali Moshiri, president of Chevron Latin America
Upstream. “Providing Venezuelan children with this high-impact education project in partnership with the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership is a privilege.”

The Partnership, a nonprofit organization that works in under-resourced schools and communities around the world, equips each school – called a Learning Center – with a television; DVD player; a library of specially produced, locally relevant educational video programming; and access to information from any source that meets the needs of the school and community. Each Learning Center also receives three years of teacher training and technical support in how to use television and video effectively in the
classroom and as a community resource.

“Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership is pleased to partner with Chevron to bring educational resources to schools and communities in Venezuela,” said Dr. Gail Ifshin, executive director, Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership. “We look forward to working with teachers to help increase educational opportunities for their students and the surrounding communities.”

The Learning Center project complements the Venezuelan government’s efforts to improve access to quality education. Six schools in Caracas and four schools in the northwest region of Venezuela are participating in the project, which targets children who live in rural areas or in neighborhoods with high levels of poverty. One of the Learning Centers in Caracas is dedicated to assisting orphans and street children at risk. Approximately 150 teachers in the two regions will participate in training workshops. In its initial stage, the project is expected to reach at least 6,500 students plus community members. Five additional Learning Centers will be launched in the northeast region of Venezuela in January 2006. These future Learning Centers are estimated to reach 4,000 students plus their communities.

Chevron is pleased to be extending its relationship with the Partnership into Venezuela, building upon an ongoing initiative in Angola and South Africa. In Angola, Learning Centers have been launched in 17 schools to date across the country, with more to come. Chevron and the Partnership also are expanding the project in South Africa into a rural area that the South African government has designated as one of the regions most in need of development.

About Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation is one of the world’s leading energy companies. With more than 53,000 employees, Chevron subsidiaries conduct business in approximately 180 countries around the world, producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas, and refining, marketing and distributing fuels and other energy products. Chevron is based in San Ramon, CA. More information on Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

About Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership
Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public charity that was spearheaded by Discovery Communications Inc. in 1997 as an effort to bring together partners from the private and public sectors in support of a unique, international, grassroots education and technology
project serving populations left out of the information age. Together with locally appropriate video programming and long-term training, television is being used to enhance learning and understanding, share new ideas, honor traditions, and stimulate a sense of community at a local and global level. The Partnership provides schools and community centers in under-resourced areas with televisions, VCRs or DVD players, teacher training, satellite technology if possible, and the ongoing delivery of relevant video
programming. Today, over 395,000 children plus their communities in 10 countries around the world have access to valuable information tailored to their needs. For more information visit www.discoveryglobaled.org.

Camille Priselac, Chevron
+1 925-842-2583

Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership Wins 2005 Freddie Award for "Fight Malaria"
For Immediate Release: September 26, 2005

Silver Spring, MD — The Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, a non-profit organization that helps under-resourced schools and communities around the world gain access to education through technology, has won a Freddie 2005 International Health and Medical Media Award in the Prevention category for its production, Fight Malaria.

The Freddie Awards are sponsored by MediMedia, one of the world's leading providers of healthcare educational materials and services. The awards encourage and celebrate excellence in medical films, and every year it attracts documentaries, series, shorts, videos, web sites, DVDs and CD-ROMs from around the world. This is the 31st year of this health and medical media competition.

“Fight Malaria is an example of the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership’s commitment to producing video programming about issues that are most important to audiences in the developing world. It is also demonstrates our commitment to creating content in collaboration with local communities,” said Dr. Gail Ifshin, Executive Director, Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership. “By producing programs such as Fight Malaria, we hope to provide underserved communities the knowledge they need to prevent life-threatening diseases.”

Malaria is one of the greatest threats to child survival in Uganda, and yet many Ugandans don't know the most basic facts about the disease. As part of a comprehensive malaria prevention, treatment and education effort by the Uganda Ministry of Health, Population Services International, and the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership and the Discovery Production Group created the 45-minute program, Fight Malaria.

The program, to be distributed in English and five indigenous languages, is designed to support the rollout of a massive anti-malaria campaign in Uganda aimed at families with children under the age of five and pregnant women. It explores some of the myths about how malaria is transmitted, discusses the symptoms and instructs people about how to access and administer the anti-malarial drugs distributed free-of-charge through the campaign. The program also emphasizes the need for and proper use of mosquito nets.

The program is distributed via Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership Learning Centers, mobile video vans, and may soon broadcast nationally in Uganda. It has been met with a strong, positive response from communities and international organizations. It was also a Silver Award winner at this year's Health and Science Communications Association Media Festival and a Telly Awards Finalist.

About the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership
The Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership is a non-profit organization that was spearheaded by Discovery Communications, Inc. in 1997 as an effort to bring together partners from the public and private sectors in support of a unique, international, grassroots education and technology project serving disadvantaged communities. Through its Learning Center project and with donor support, the Partnership provides schools and community centers in under-resourced areas with a television and VCR, teacher training, and the on-going delivery of relevant educational video programming. The Partnership is active in nine countries: Angola, Mexico, Namibia, Peru, Romania, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe and works closely to support the respective Ministry of Education programs to use technology to enhance teaching and learning. Worldwide, the Learning Center project serves more than 381,000 children to date and has trained more than 5,700 teachers in the use of TV and video in the classroom.

For more information visit www.discoveryglobaled.org

Reaching Out Across the Globe

Digital Discovery, USA
September 2005

Video programming allows students everywhere to learn about their global community. Now, Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, an independent, nonprofit organization, is taking video programming to countries around the world.

The Partnership uses donated Discovery video to create original programming responsive to the needs and interests of under-resourced communities worldwide. At the invitation of the local communities, the Partnership has established Learning Centers in schools from Mexico to Romania to South Africa. Each center is equipped with a television, VCR, satellite or cable technology, teacher training resources, and access to a video library.

The Partnership is embarking on an exciting campaign to go into 1,000 under-served schools bringing the empowering benefits of technology to at least one million more children and their communities.

"We use schools because the infrastructure is already in place," says Tamela Noboa, Deputy Director of the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership. "But schools become a community information hub where everyone can gather to watch news programs, enjoy movie night, or participate in AIDS education workshops." Not only do children benefit from these enhanced learning tools, but students of all ages can better understand and enjoy their local and global community.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL GLOBAL EDUCATION FUND LAUNCHES IN ROMANIA –
FIRST COUNTRY IN EUROPE TO PARTICIPATE

May 14, 2003

Silver Spring, Md. – The Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF) is extending the power of educational media technology to students in Romania with its launch today of six new sites, the first Global Education Fund Learning Centers reaching communities in Europe.

“This is an exciting first step in Eastern Europe for the Global Education Fund,” said Gail Ifshin, executive director of DCGEF. “We are eager to expand on the success of the Fund’s activities in other countries and to extend the power of media technology to improve educational opportunities for children around the world.”

Six school communities in Dambovita County, Romania – two hours outside of Bucharest – will be benefiting from locally managed Global Education Fund Learning Centers. The Fund has made a three-year commitment to work alongside each community to develop a sustainable media hub that meets local educational and community needs. The Learning Centers are equipped with a television, VCR and cable technology (where possible), teacher training and video programming tailored to local needs. In Romania, the Fund is working in partnership with the Ministry of Education to ensure the project complements both classroom and community education objectives.

Ecaterina Andronescu, Minister for Education said, “We are pleased to welcome the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund to Romania. We have co-operated well in bringing this innovative project to Dambovita, and we look forward to seeing the tangible benefits it will generate.”

Michael Guest, U.S. Ambassador to Romania, said, “I applaud the launch of the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund in Romania. This program, the first of its kind in Europe, will bring needed training in information technology to Romania’s children. Romania recognizes the opportunities technology offers as a tool for education and development, and the launch of the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund will help bring science and technology into the lives of Romania’s young people.”

The founding corporate partner for the Global Education Fund in Romania is Discovery Networks Europe, a division of Discovery Communications, Inc.

Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF) is a 501(c)(3) public charitable organization dedicated to reaching across the global information divide with the tools and training necessary to extend the power of technology and information to populations striving to realize the full potential of the Information Age. DCGEF works with schools and communities in a locally-managed, comprehensive and sustainable program that provides the empowering benefits of video and satellite educational programming to schools in under-resourced areas of the world. DCGEF’s 134 Learning Centers in nine countries – including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, Mexico, Peru, Angola, Namibia and Romania – provide teachers with professional development and classroom resources that support creativity and learning. DCGEF also works closely with communities and other partners to produce educational videos, as well as to identify other educational programming responsive to communities’ needs. Currently serving over 240,000 students, DCGEF’s near-term goal is to reach 1 million children and their communities by 2005. For more information visit www.discoveryglobaled.org.

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC (DCI) AND THE JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE ANNOUNCE LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP
World-Renowned Primatologist Jane Goodall Agrees to Multi-Year, Multi-Tiered Partnership With DCI’s Animal Planet and The Discovery Channel Global Education Fund –

March 24, 2003

SILVER SPRING, MD – Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) announced today an exclusive multi-year partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI). The agreement will include the development of on-air specials on Animal Planet, participation in Animal Planet’s traveling exhibit, Animal Planet Expo, as well as involvement with the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund.

Jane Goodall, whose pioneering work with chimpanzees in Africa changed the world’s view of these animals forever, could reasonably lay claim to the title of most important wildlife biologist since Charles Darwin. After 25 years as the leading researcher in her field, Dr. Goodall will join forces with the only television network dedicated to the emotional bond between humans and animals to present and help develop a number of on-air specials. As partners, JGI and Animal Planet will develop quality television programs that provide a deeper understanding of Jane’s work and the critical issues involving animals around the world. Dr. Goodall joins the Discovery family after a long-standing relationship with National Geographic as an explorer-in-residence.

“Discovery and Animal Planet are honored and privileged to partner with Jane in this exciting endeavor. Her signature combination of credibility, integrity and passion are world-renowned. We are proud to call her our partner,” said Billy Campbell, President Discovery Networks, US. “Discovery’s powerful platform both in the United States and around the world is ideally suited to provide Dr. Goodall with a global forum for her highly-respected research and exploration of the natural world.”

“Dr. Goodall is a true legend. We are very excited to welcome Jane and her vision to Animal Planet,” said Michael Cascio, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Animal Planet. “Our organizations share many of the same educational and conservation values, and a mission to help people better understand animals and the world within which we all live.”
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The partnership between the Goodall Institute and DCI extends beyond the programming initiative. The agreement provides Dr. Goodall the opportunity to visit and promote the activities of the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF), a 501 (c) (3), nonprofit, public charitable organization dedicated to reaching across the global information divide with the tools and training necessary to extend the power of technology to under-resourced communities around the world.

Through many of the educational resources of the DCGEF and with the popular Animal Planet Expo, which travels the country promoting the health and well being of animals, Dr. Goodall will integrate her signature “Roots & Shoots” program, which works with youth to foster respect and compassion for all living things.

Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. DCI has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in more than 155 countries and territories with over 830 million cumulative subscribers.

DCI’s 33 networks of distinctive programming represent 14 entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, the Travel Channel, Discovery Health channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery times Channel, The Science channel, Discovery Wings Channel, Discovery Home & Leisure Channel, Discovery en Espanol and Discovery HD Theater. DCI’s other properties consist of Disocfery.com and 167 Discovery Channel retail stores. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI’s ownership consists of four shareholders: Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: COX), Advance/Newhouse communications and John S. Hendricks, the company’s Founder, Chairman and CEO.

Founded in 1977, the Jane Goodall Institute continues Dr. Goodall’s pioneering research into chimpanzee behavior, research which transformed scientific perceptions of the relationship between humans and animals. Today, the Institute is a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and other animals in their African habitats and is widely recognized for establishing innovative, grassroots wildlife conservation, economic development, and education programs in more than 70 countries around the world.

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC., RECOGNIZED BY THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL EDUCATION

February 12, 2003

Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) has been recognized at the Organization for American States’ (OAS) first “Gala for the Americas” for exemplary corporate citizenship.

DCI was specifically recognized for the work of the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF) in Latin America. DCGEF has 41 Learning Centers in Mexico and Peru, providing teachers with professional development and classroom resources that support creativity and learning. In addition to projects in Latin America, DCGEF, a non-profit, charitable organization, is dedicated to improving educational opportunities of under-resourced schools and communities around the world. With the support of Discovery, together with other donors and partners, DCGEF provides each school or “Learning Center” with a television, VCR, satellite technology, three years of teacher training and on-going delivery of locally relevant video programming and teacher resource guides.

The “Gala for the Americas” celebrated corporate social responsibility by recognizing key social programs implemented by companies operating in Latin America. “We are honored to be recognized for our work with the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund,” said Judith A. McHale, President and Chief Operating Officer, Discovery Communications, Inc. McHale added, “As one of the world’s leading global media companies, Discovery believes strongly in bringing the full potential of technology and media to people in Latin America and around the world.”

The Trust for the Americas, a non-profit created by the OAS, the hemispheric organization encompassing government’s of the Americas, organized the Gala, which was held at the Biltmore Hotel in Miami, Florida on Friday, January 31.

Dr. Cesar Gaviria, Secretary General of the OAS, and the Trust's Board of Directors, gave special recognition at the Gala to DCI for the Global Education Fund and to BellSouth for its ProNino program. The Trust/OAS Award for Corporate Citizenship in the Americas was given to Daimler-Chrysler for its POEMA Program (Poverty and Environment in the Amazon). Enrique R. Martinez, EVP and Managing Director, Discovery Networks Latin America/Iberia, accepted the award on behalf of Discovery.

Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. DCI has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in more than 155 countries and territories with over 830 million cumulative subscribers. DCI’s 33 networks of distinctive programming represent 14 entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Civilization Channel, The Science Channel, Discovery Wings Channel, Discovery Home & Leisure Channel, Discovery en Español and HD Theater. DCI’s other properties consist of Discovery.com and 167 Discovery Channel retail stores. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI’s ownership consists of four shareholders: Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: L), Cox Communications, Inc. (NYSE: COX), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company’s Founder, Chairman and CEO.

Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF) is a 501(c) 3 charitable organization committed to narrowing the growing information gap between developing and developed countries. DCGEF works with schools and communities in a locally-managed, comprehensive and sustainable program that provides the empowering benefits of video and satellite educational programming to schools in under-resourced areas of the world. DCGEF’s 126 Learning Centers in Latin America, Africa, and Eastern Europe provide teachers with professional development and classroom resources that support creativity and learning. DCGEF also works closely with communities and other partners to produce educational videos, as well as to identify other educational programming responsive to communities’ needs. DCGEF’s near-term goal is to reach 1 million children and their communities by 2005. For more information visit www.discoveryglobaled.org.

AMBASSADORS AND EMBASSY OFFICIALS VISIT DISCOVERY CHANNEL GLOBAL EDUCATION FUND IN OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK

For Immediate Release: November 19, 2002

Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF) Learning Centers are hosting visits from US Ambassadors and Embassy officials in four countries in observance of International Education Week, November 18-22. The visits are taking place in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mexico and Peru to acknowledge the project’s efforts to foster advances in education and information in the world’s most under-resourced by providing access to technology and educational programming.

In Zimbabwe, where DCGEF has 16 Learning Center, the US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Joseph Sullivan, will visit High Glen Resource Center in Harare, on Thursday, November 21st. In Tanzania, Ambassador Robert V. Royall visited DCGEF’s Learning Center at the Hekima Girls Secondary School in Bukoba on Monday, November 18th.

On Friday, November 22nd, US General Consul, Elizabeth Swope, and the US Cultural Attache, María Elena Saucedo, will visit Hermenegildo Galeana School in Zapopan, one of DCGEF’s 14 Learning Centers in Mexico. John Caufield, Chargé d' Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Peru, will visit Santísima Trinidad, a DCGEF Learning Center in Lima and one of 17 DCGEF sites in Peru.

Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF), a U.S. charitable organization, works with schools and communities in a comprehensive program that provides the empowering benefits of video and satellite educational programming to schools in under-resourced areas of the world. DCGEF’s 93 Learning Centers in Latin America and Africa provide teachers with professional development and classroom resources that support creativity and learning. DCGEF also works closely with communities and other partners to produce educational videos, as well as to identify other educational programming responsive to communities’ needs. DCGEF’s near-term goal is to reach 1 million children and their communities by 2005. For more information visit www.discoveryglobaled.org.

JOHNATHAN A. RODGERS APPOINTED TO DISCOVERY CHANNEL GLOBAL EDUCATION FUND’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

August 25, 2002

Bethesda, MD—The Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF) welcomes Johnathan A. Rodgers, formerly President of Discovery Networks, US, to the DCGEF Board of Directors. As a member of the Board, Rodgers will provide leadership to sustain the mission of the Global Education Fund: To reach across the global information divide with the tools and training necessary to extend the power of technology and information to under-resourced communities around the world.

"Johnathan Rodgers has been involved in DCGEF from its inception in 1997,” stated DCGEF Executive Director, Gail Ifshin. “His continued support and commitment will be a key factor in the initiative’s future growth. We are honored that Johnathan will be bringing his considerable talents to the Fund." As a board members, Rodgers will participate in the formulation of the DCGEF strategic plan, serve as advocate for DCGEF and work to cultivate potential donors and partners.

Rodgers has had a long and rich history with the field of communications and was recently ranked #7 on a highly competitive list of the 100 top personnel within the cable industry. His term as President of Discovery Networks, US, with Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) was preceded by a twenty-year career of executive positions with CBS, Inc. Rodgers also has experience as a writer-reporter for Sports Illustrated and as an editor for Newsweek Magazine. He earned his undergraduate degree in journalistic studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and his master’s degree in communication from Stanford University.

In addition to serving on the Global Education Fund’s Board of Directors, Rodgers is also a member of The Aspen Institute, Children’s Defense Fund, The Emma Bowen Foundation, the National Association of Television Program Executives, the Cable Television Advertising Bureau, and the International Radio and Television Society. Rodgers is also active in the National Association of Black Journalists and Proctor & Gamble’s Board of Directors.

In addition to Rodgers, the DCGEF board members are: Judith A. McHale, President and Chief Operating Officer of Discovery Communications, Inc.; Gail Ifshin, Ph.D., Executive Director of DCGEF; former Congressman Jack Fields, Chief Executive Officer of Twenty First Century Group, Inc.; former Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse, Director of the Institute for Tribal Government at Mark O. Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University, and Congressman Donald M. Payne of New Jersey.

Discovery Channel Global Education Fund is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization. With the support of donors and at the invitation of local communities around the world, DCGEF provides schools and community centers in under-resourced areas with a television, VCR, satellite technology, teacher training, and the on-going delivery of relevant video programming. Through the use of practical and sustainable technology, children and their communities all over the world have access to relevant, world-opening and enriching information tailored to their needs. Currently, DCGEF reaches over 130,000 children and their communities throughout South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mexico and Peru and planning expansion into Romania, Angola, Namibia, India, and Afghanistan. For more information visit www.discoveryglobaled.org.

Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. DCI has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in more than 155 countries and territories with over 700 million cumulative subscribers. DCI’s 33 networks of distinctive programming represent 14 entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids and a family of newer, targeted channels. DCI’s other properties consist of Discovery.com and 167 Discovery Channel retail stores. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI’s ownership consists of four shareholders: Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: L), Cox Communications, Inc. (NYSE: COX), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company’s Founder, Chairman and CEO.

Globus And Discovery Channel Global Education Fund Announce Essay Contest Winners

Partnership Aimed to Educate Children in Remote and Disadvantaged Regions Awards Peruvian Students with a Trip to Discover their Homeland.

February 21, 2002

Committed to the global community, Globus, the world's leader in escorted vacations, and the non-profit organization, Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF), announce the winning students who were selected from their written essays to take the March 9, 2002, "Peru Discovery" trip through their homeland. Along with a parent for each contest winner and three teachers, a group of 12 children will embark on a six-day Globus trip, taking them beyond their neighborhoods and villages to visit for the first time in their lives important cultural and historical sites in Peru.

Beginning in 2001, Globus and the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund created a partnership to help provide poor or rural communities in Africa and Latin America with technology to improve educational opportunities. This partnership will give them the resources, such as televisions, VCRs, satellite feeds, training and programming, to expand both the capabilities of teachers and the horizons of students.

In the essay, children explained how the Learning Centers have helped in their education and understanding of the world around them, as well as how the Centers have motivated them with the desire to further explore the world. From a panel of three judges, one child from each of the 12 Peruvian DCGEF Learning Centers was chosen along with three teachers who also submitted essays about how the Learning Centers have enhanced their teaching skills.

"As a company who is committed to the local and global community, we are excited and honored to provide these children with the opportunity to explore the beauty and history of their own country," said Paolo Mantegazza, president of Group Voyagers, Inc, the corporate entity that markets and sells Globus. "We hope this trip will encourage them to further their education about the world around them and see it firsthand during their lives."

Through Globus' partnership with South American travel specialist, Lima Tours, the children will take the six-day Globus trip, beginning in Lima, traveling to Cuzco, then visiting Yucay and Machu Picchu. Coming from poor and rural communities, this will be the first time the essay contest winners will travel beyond their home, reinforcing the importance and historical time the trip will mark in the children's lives. "This trip will help me learn about Peruvian history and see how my ancestors lived…something that we are very proud of," says 10-year-old Roberto Carballo Garcia. Many of the children are also excited about the learnings and experiences they will pass on to those who have never traveled beyond their community. "I want to be able to see everything I can so that I can talk about my experience with family and friends who aren't able to travel," said 12-year-old Carlo Lavini Tresierra.

Today, DCGEF reaches over 100,000 children and their communities in Latin America and Africa, including 14 Learning Centers in Mexico and Peru with plans to develop at least five new sites in Peru and three in Mexico in 2002. DCGEF also has plans to expand the initiative in Latin America into Brazil, Chile and Costa Rica.

Globus is the world's leader in escorted travel, with more than 70 years' experience offering top quality escorted travel and five travel styles. Each year, thousands of people enjoy a travel experience with Globus, traveling to all seven continents and visiting 70 countries. In 2002, Globus has partnered with the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund to help educate children in remote and disadvantaged regions through the power of technology by contributing a portion of its sales to the project. The privately held company has offices worldwide with its U.S. headquarters in Littleton, Colo.

Discovery Channel Global Education Fund is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to reaching across the global information divide with the tools and training necessary to extend the power of technology and information to the world's most under-resourced populations. At the invitation of local communities around the world, DCGEF is narrowing the growing information gap between developing and developed countries. With the support of donors, DCGEF provides schools and community centers in under-resourced areas with a television, VCR, satellite technology, teacher training, and the on-going delivery of relevant video programming. Through the use of practical and sustainable technology, children and their communities all over the world have access to relevant, world-opening and enriching information tailored to their needs.

Globus and Discovery Channel Global Education Fund Announce Partnership to Education Children Around the World

Peruvian Students Compete in Essay Contest to visit Machu Picchu and Help Officially Launch Partnership

Wednesday, January 23, 2002

(Bethesda, Maryland) - Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF) has partnered with Globus, a global provider of escorted travel, to help educate children in remote and disadvantaged regions around the world through the power of technology.

To officially kick off the alliance, students at DCGEF learning centers throughout Peru will submit an essay, with the winners embarking on a six-day Globus trip beginning in Lima, traveling to Cuzco, then onto Yucay and to Machu Picchu. Globus' journey will take the twelve winning students, plus one parent for each child, and three teachers beyond their neighborhoods and villages to visit for the first time in their lives important cultural and historical sites in Peru.

Discovery Channel Global Education Fund provides under-served communities in Africa and Latin America with televisions, VCRs, satellite feeds, training and programming. In Peru, among other countries, DCGEF employs technology to improve educational opportunities for poor or rural communities by giving them the resources to expand both the capabilities of teachers and the horizons of students.

DCGEF looks forward to working with Globus, a company committed to the global community and to DCGEF's efforts to make a difference in children's lives by bringing them educational programming so they can learn about their community, as well as the world and its diverse cultures. Gail Ifshin, Executive Director of DCGEF said, "We are excited and honored to partner with an organization like Globus, which is committed to enable students to explore their own country and nurture their desire to be life-long learners about the world around them."

Through the generosity and commitment of corporate partners such as Globus, DCGEF is working to attain its goal of reaching one million children by 2005. Today, DCGEF reaches over 100,000 children and their communities in Latin America and Africa, including 14 Learning Centers in Mexico and Peru with plans to develop at least 5 new sites in Peru and 3 in Mexico in 2002. DCGEF also has plans to expand the initiative in Latin America into Brazil, Chile and Costa Rica.

DCGEF's expansion to 10 new centers in Lima, Peru in August 2001 represents significant growth for DCGEF in Peru. Together, these 10 schools serve an additional 10,200 students and teachers. Moreover, the expansion of new project sites in Lima to two orphanages and one school serving disabled students as well as DCGEF's new 3 school partnership with the Coordinadora de Innovaciones Educativas -an institution supported by 5 local NGO's and a private university-underscores the commitment of DCGEF to bring the full benefits of technology and education to everyone and everywhere.

Globus is a provider of escorted travel to over 70 countries and to all seven continents. In 2002, Globus has partnered with the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund to help educate children in remote and disadvantaged regions through the power of technology by contributing a portion of its sales to the project. The privately held company has offices worldwide with its U.S. headquarters in Littleton, Colorado.

Discovery Channel Global Education Fund is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to reaching across the global information divide with the tools and training necessary to extend the power of technology and information to the world's most under-resourced populations. At the invitation of local communities around the world, DCGEF is narrowing the growing information gap between developing and developed countries. With the support of donors, DCGEF provides schools and community centers in under-resourced areas with a television, VCR, satellite technology, teacher training, and the on-going delivery of relevant video programming. Through the use of practical and sustainable technology, children and their communities all over the world have access to relevant, world-opening and enriching information tailored to their needs.

Discovery Channel Global Education Fund y Globus Premiaron con un Viaje a Estudiantes Ganadores.

Estudiantes y profesores participaron en el concurso "Descubra el Perú" y visitan desde el centro histórico de Lima hasta Cusco y Machu Picchu.

March 3, 2002

Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF), y su colaborador, la empresa de turismo Globus, premian la dedicación y el ingenio de once estudiantes peruanos de colegios de bajos recursos, que junto con uno de sus padres y tres profesores habrán de participar en un viaje de seis días para descubrir el Perú y conocer la historia y lugares turísticos de su país.

Como parte de las actividades que DCGEF realiza en diversos colegios en países de América Latina y África, el concurso de composición y dibujos "Descubra el Perú" permite ampliar los conocimientos de los niños y profesores ganadores con un viaje que contempla la visita al Centro Histórico de Lima y a la ciudad de Cusco, un paseo por Yucay, un viaje en tren hacia Machu Picchu, donde, por supuesto, conocerán la majestuosa fortaleza Inca.

Las composiciones y los dibujos ganadores pertenecen a niños y profesores de los 9 colegios que ya forman parte del proyecto DCGEF, uno de los cuales es el Centro de Educación Especial Ann Sullivan. Todos los trabajos con el tema "DCGEF me permite conocer el mundo desde mi aula de clase. Con Globus, podré visitar un emocionante lugar del mundo por mí mismo(a) y en mi propio país, Perú." Se escogieron de entre los diferentes niveles de educación: ocho estudiantes de educación primaria, un estudiante de educación especial, tres de secundaria y tres profesores. DCGEF otorgó certificados de reconocimiento para los 48 estudiantes y cinco profesores que no clasificaron para la ronda final.

La selección final la realizó un jurado conformado por representantes del Ministerio de Educación, la empresa Globus y Discovery Networks Latin America / Iberia, la unidad de Discovery Communications, Inc., (DCI) cuyo propósito es el de hacer llegar las señales de Discovery a toda América Latina.

Desde hace poco más de dos años el Discovery Channel Global Education Fund ha trabajado tenazmente en el Perú, para poner al alcance de colegios de escasos recursos, equipo tecnológico como televisores, videocaseteras y antenas parabólicas que facilitan la enseñanza aprovechando el uso del video en el aula. El programa se fortalece no sólo con los videos y la capacitación continua de los maestros, sino también con el proyecto educativo "Discovery en la Escuela" que llega directamente a los centros de aprendizaje del DCGEF a través de la señal de Discovery Channel América Latina-Iberia. Las guías de apoyo para cada uno de los programas de "Discovery en la Escuela" que están a la disposición de todos los profesores a través de la página de internet del mismo nombre, ya están siendo utilizados en los centros.

Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF) y Discovery en la Escuela son proyectos educativos que emanan de la responsabilidad social de la empresa matriz Discovery Communications Inc. DCGEF ha llevado su programa al África y ahora a América Latina, donde junto con el proyecto Discovery en la Escuela apoya la actividad educativa. En los casi cinco años transcurridos desde su lanzamiento, Discovery en la Escuela ha capacitado a más de 1,400 profesores, colaborando así con el enriquecimiento curricular de sobre 125,000 estudiantes en por lo menos 1000 escuelas, tanto públicas como privadas en América Latina. Desde noviembre de 1997 Discovery Channel Global Education Fund puso en marcha el proyecto de Centros de Aprendizaje, y actualmente cuenta con 54 centros en África, en lugares como Sudáfrica, Zimbabwe, Uganda, y Tanzania, y 14 en América Latina, 2 en México y 12 en el Perú.

Discovery en la Escuela es una iniciativa de Discovery Channel Latin America/Iberia, que apoya la educación al utilizar documentales que estimulan el aprendizaje en las aulas mediante la transmisión de un bloque televisivo de una hora diaria siete días a la semana. Cuenta además con material didáctico disponible en la internet en la página del mismo nombre y un taller de capacitación docente.

Discovery Networks, Latin America/Iberia, una unidad de Discovery Communications, Inc., (DCI) con sede en Miami, Florida, llega a televidentes con varias señales especialmente diseñadas y manejadas desde el ultramoderno centro televisivo de la compañía. Discovery Networks, Latin America/Iberia está formado por seis canales que transmiten programación con base en la vida real las 24 horas del día: Discovery Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Health, Discovery Travel & Adventure, Animal Planet y People+Arts, estos últimos producto de la sociedad con BBC Worldwide Ltd.

Como compañía líder en los medios de comunicación de la vida real y entretenimiento, los canales de Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) llegan a hogares suscritos en 155 países alrededor del mundo. Discovery Networks, International (DNI), una división de DCI, incluye a Discovery Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Health, Discovery Home & Leisure, Animal Planet, People + Arts, Discovery Sci-Trek, Discovery Travel & Adventure, Discovery Civilization y Discovery Wings. Disponibles a través de 62 suministros separados, en 33 idiomas, vía 11 satélites, los servicios de DNI están diseñados para llenar las necesidades específicas de cada teleaudiencia alrededor del mundo.

Discovery Channel Global Education Fund, Discovery Communications Y Motorola Apoyan A La Educacion Peruana

Proyecto Piloto se inició en México y Perú

November 9, 2000

(Lima, PERU) noviembre 9, 2000 - La educación continúa siendo uno de los más grandes desafíos para los países. Motorola y Discovery Communications se han unido para apoyar el proyecto de Centro de Aprendizaje de la Fundación Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF), que pondrán al alcance de niños que no cuentan con recursos, herramientas tecnológicas que les brindarán la posibilidad de acceder a fuentes de información educativa que contribuyan al mejoramiento de su educación.

Las primeras escuelas peruanas beneficiadas con este ambicioso proyecto de alcance internacional, fueron el Colegio Hogar Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia de Zapallal, Puente Piedra y el Colegio Fe y Alegría N°43 de Ventanilla, Callao.

Gracias a Motorola y a Discovery Communications, ya son realidad los 2 Centros de Aprendizaje instalados en Perú y 4 Centros de Aprendizaje en México, los cuales forman parte de un proyecto piloto para Latinoamérica.

El Sr. Carlos Baradello, Vicepresidente y Gerente General para América Latina de Corporate Enterprise Solution de Motorola Inc., señaló que esta importante iniciativa y aporte se enmarca dentro de los objetivos mundiales de la empresa de contribuir activamente al desarrollo de los pueblos donde participa, inculcando el uso adecuado de la tecnología como herramienta de desarrollo. Es por eso que Motorola se enorgullece de auspiciar junto con DCGEF, al Discovery Channel Global Education Fund en este ambicioso Proyecto para Latino América.

El primer paso concretado el 9 de noviembre pasado incluyó, además de las dos escuelas en el populoso Cono Norte de Lima, dos escuelas de similares características en Ciudad de México. El objetivo es apoyar con tecnología y contenidos pedagógicos a escuelas de bajos recursos. Como se deja ver en cada una de sus acciones, Discovery Channel Global Education Fund quiere potenciar la educación con planteamientos de colaboración que capaciten a los maestros y pongan en manos de los alumnos herramientas para el éxito. Comentó Gail Ifshin Directora Ejecutiva de Discovery Channel Global Education Fund.

..."Cerrar la brecha que aún separa la tecnología de la educación y que ésta provea a la población de las herramientas necesarias para mejorar y enriquecer las oportunidades educativas, es un compromiso que empresas o instituciones como Motorola y Discovery no pueden soslayar si queremos ser reconocidos por nuestro bien ganado liderazgo" señalaron ejecutivos de Discovery y Motorola.

"El tema de la educación es uno muy importante para Discovery y algo en que estamos muy involucrados, ya que el carácter informativo y entretenido de nuestros programas se presta para este fin", comentó Enrique Martínez, vicepresidente "senior" y gerente general de Discovery Networks Latin America- Iberia, la parte de la empresa que representa los intereses de Discovery en la región.

Aprendizaje por descubrimiento, mayores horizontes culturales, desarrollo de la capacidad creativa, disposición para trabajo en grupo y acceso a otras fuentes de información, son algunos de los nuevos conceptos que este Proyecto internacional ha comenzado a introducir en la formación escolar peruana y mexicana y que en este primer momento beneficiará directamente en nuestro país a más de 100 maestros y a más de 2,500 niños de las escuelas inicialmente favorecidas. Uno de los componentes más importantes del proyecto es el programa de capacitación a personal docente de ambos colegios llamado "El Vídeo en el Aula", que se centra en el uso técnico del equipo de video y en su utilización como herramienta para la enseñanza.

El Discovery Channel Global Education Fund y Motorola aspiran con esta gran iniciativa, generar el interés de otras empresas y corporaciones en apoyar a la educación escolar en países como el nuestro, como herramienta fundamental de desarrollo. El proyecto que hoy beneficia a dos escuelas del Cono Norte limeño, habrá cumplido largamente su objetivo si es respaldado o imitado cuanto antes.

Creemos que esta iniciativa puede ayudar a promover el acceso a otras fuentes globales de información generando un modelo auto sostenible que derive en el desarrollo y la proliferación de este tipo de acceso a la información en Perú y posteriormente en América Latina.

Además creemos que este es el primer paso para integrar, no sólo fuentes de información sino a todas la empresas que se sientan comprometidas con el futuro. Un primer paso en un largo camino que hemos decidido emprender trabajando para lograr la participación de otras organizaciones y entes gubernamentales, para hacer de esta visión, una realidad que beneficie cada vez más a un mayor número de niños en el mundo, ya que ellos son el futuro de nuestros países.

Argumentaron altos ejecutivos de Motorola y Discovery durante el evento de lanzamiento del proyecto realizado en el Colegio Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia, que contó con la presencia de importantes funcionarios del Ministerio de Educación , alumnos y comunidad en general.

 

ACERCA DE DISCOVERY CHANNEL GLOBAL EDUCATION FUND
Discovery Channel Global Education Fund es una organización sin fines de lucro dedicada a mejorar las oportunidades educativas de las comunidades de pocos recursos en el mundo entero, mediante el uso de la tecnología. El proyecto otorga gran importancia al uso de la tecnología como una herramienta educativa útil, puesta al servicio de la comunidad. En sus centros escolares, DCGEF trabaja en coordinación con maestros y demás miembros de la comunidad educativa local. Esto con el fin de brindarles programación y capacitación adecuados que permitan a niños y maestros maximizar su potencial tecnológico. Desde noviembre de 1997 puso en marcha el proyecto de Centros de Aprendizaje, y actualmente cuenta con 54 Centros en África y América Latina (Sudáfrica, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, Perú y México).

PROYECTO DE CENTRO DE APRENDIZAJE DEL FONDO PARA LA EDUCACIO GLOBAL DE DISCOVERY CHANNEL.

El gran objetivo: Conectar a las escuelas con fuentes informáticas / educativas de carácter global a través de tecnologías de la información.
Los alcances que logra este proyecto son los siguientes:

  • Aprendizaje por descubrimiento. Este tipo de aprendizaje da prioridad al uso del vídeo permitiendo al estudiante ver, escuchar, investigar y poner en práctica los nuevos conocimientos adquiridos.
  • Mayores horizontes culturales. Los vídeos amplían los horizontes culturales tanto del cuerpo docente como de los estudiantes, pues los expone a realidades de su propia cultura y de otras comunidades alrededor del mundo.
  • Mayor disposición para trabajo en grupo. El trabajo posterior al vídeo facilita la voluntad de trabajar en grupo y la integración de los alumnos.
  • Desarrollo de capacidad creativa. Los vídeos desarrollan la creatividad artística y analítica de los alumnos con dibujos, cuentos, crucigramas, canciones, poemas, carteles, etc.
  • Capacidad de producción de vídeo. El uso de la tecnología de punta genera interés por parte de alumnos y profesores.

ACERCA DE MOTOROLA
Motorola es un líder mundial en el sector de sistemas y servicios electrónicos avanzados. La compañía crea productos controlados por software que ofrecen tanto soluciones integradas para el cliente como acceso a Internet a través de comunicaciones inalámbricas y satelitales. Motorola diseña también productos para computadores y operación de redes, así como componentes electrónicos para automóviles. La compañía libera toda la potencia de la tecnología ofreciendo elementos constitutivos esenciales en forma de componentes incorporados tales como semiconductores controles y sistemas. En 1999, la cifra de negocios de la empresa ascendió a US$ 33.1 mil millones. Para más información visite: www.motorola.com

ACERCA DE DISCOVERY NETWORKS LATIN AMERICA/IBERIA

Discovery Networks, Latin America/Iberia, una unidad de Discovery Communications, Inc., (DCI) con sede en Miami, Florida, llega a televidentes con varias señales especialmente diseñadas y manejadas desde el ultramoderno centro televisivo de la compañía. Discovery Networks, Latin America/Iberia está formado por seis canales que transmiten las 24 horas del día: Discovery Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Health, Discovery Travel & Adventure, Animal Planet y People+Arts, estos dos últimos producto de la sociedad con BBC Worldwide Ltd. Para obtener información ampliada sobre cada uno de los canales de la cadena Discovery y otros productos de la empresa, puede visitar la página web: www.discoveryespanol.com o www.discoveryportugues.com .

Discovery Communications, Inc. And Discovery Channel Global Education Fund Honored At White House Event

August 7, 2000

WASHINGTON - Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson will honor Discovery Communications, Inc. and Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF) for their support in bridging the international digital divide at a White House ceremony in the Indian Treaty Room Tuesday August 8th.

To significantly address the growing knowledge gap between developing and developed countries Discovery Communications established the Global Education Fund to provide communities with technology, training and programming to raise educational opportunities and access to information.

DCI President and Chief Operating Officer Judith A. McHale emphasized DCI's commitment to bridging the digital divide and continued support for Discovery Channel Global Education Fund. "Discovery is committed to using solar and satellite technology to support educational efforts that make a tangible difference in the lives of people around the world," said McHale.

Sponsored by Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) and other corporate and individual contributors, DCGEF is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to improving the educational opportunities of underresourced communities by using modern technology as a vehicle to improve education, increase income generation, and provide additional information on combating international challenges such as AIDS. Working closely with local communities, DCGEF establishes learning center sites equipped with satellite dishes, televisions and VCR equipment, training and regionally tailored education videos.

While working in concert with local communities and organizations, DCGEF establishes "high tech" learning centers in underresourced schools by providing satellite dishes, televisions and videocassette recorders. In addition to the technological hardware, DCGEF also provides the learning centers with educational programming designed to complement their local curriculum.

"Modern technology can bring even the most remote African villages the same educational resources available to communities in the developed world. DCI applauds the activities of Discovery Channel Global Education Fund and The Hathaway Foundation that work so hard to bridge the global digital divide," said Discovery International President Dawn McCall, accepting the Award on behalf of DCI.

DCGEF's learning center project is currently established at 54 schools and community centers in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, Mexico and Peru. By the end of 2000, DCGEF will expand to over 150 new sites throughout these countries. Plans are underway to expand to Asia in 2001.

Discovery Channel Global Education Fund Forges Partnerships To Bridge Digital Divide In Ugandan Schools

July 13, 2000

LUWERO, Uganda-President Yoweri Museveni will celebrate Discovery Channel Global Education Fund's (DCGEF) and Solar Light for the Churches of Africa's (SLFCA) partnership to provide underresourced Ugandan and Tanzanian schools with solar power, lights and technology-based educational tools at an event on July 21 at St. Jude Primary School in Luwero, Uganda.

The event highlights the progress made to bridge the international digital divide affecting many African communities and bring advanced technology and information to children and adults. The event also marks SLFCA's 1000th solar installation in East Africa - and the first in a wave of schools to receive solar power and DCGEF resources in the next two months. Attendees in addition to SLFCA and DCGEF representatives will include the first lady of Uganda, Janet Museveni, (patroness of SLFCA), representative from Uganda's Ministry of Education, and numerous members of the church and local community.

Multichoice, a digital satellite provider headquartered in South Africa, is also partnering in this initiative to provide the sites with free monthly satellite subscriptions for select channels. Multichoice-Uganda, a new sponsor for DCGEF learning centers, is also donating satellite equipment to St. Jude Primary School.

"We're proud to partner with Solar Light for the Churches of Africa and Multichoice to give communities the benefits of electricity and educational resources through technology," said Gail Ifshin, executive director, DCGEF. "Bridging the digital divide offers communities increased access to local information as well as providing a window to the world."

The donation signals the beginning of an exciting initiative in which new technology brings reliable sources of light, and new sights and sounds via TV and Satellite technology to Ugandan and Tanzanian communities. In collaboration with the White House's Millenium Council, this public-private sector partnership took shape in 1999 as part of the Department of Energy-led Village Power 2000 initiative. All of the schools participating in the program will use solar panels made by United Solar Systems Corp., a U.S.-based solar panel manufacturer. In most cases solar power will provide communities with electricity for the first time, and in some it will replace unreliable and expensive sources of power.

Solar power "provides these communities with the fundamental resource of electric power that gives them light to extend the working day" said Bishop Alden Hathaway, founder of the Hathaway Foundation. "It gives them the possibility of communicating through computers, TV and cell phones and opens them up to all kinds of economic and social development."

The U.S.-based Hathaway Foundation, a nonprofit group that raises funds to electrify schools, churches and orphanages in East Africa, is sponsoring SLFCA's Uganda Youth Mission 2000. Six of the 15 schools receiving the DCGEF project and solar power will have their installations completed by Ugandan, Tanzanian and American teenagers representing the SLFCA mission. The trip slated for July 20-August 2, 2000 will include a small DCGEF delegation. During the installations DCGEF will bring each school into the fold of its learning center project.

Working closely with local communities, DCGEF establishes learning center sites equipped with satellite dishes, televisions and VCR equipment and regionally tailored education videos in needy schools and community centers around the world. Drawn from a variety of resources including Discovery's vast content library, programming is reversioned and designed to suit the language, customs and cultural needs of each region. In addition to equipment and programming, curriculum guides and training are provided to local educators and community leaders to ensure that each site is established as an ongoing community resource.

DCGEF's learning center project is currently established at 46 schools and community centers in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, Mexico and Peru. By the end of 2000, DCGEF will expand to over 150 new sites throughout these countries. Plans are underway to expand to Asia in 2001.

Sponsored by Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) and other corporate and individual contributors, DCGEF is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to improving the educational opportunities of underresourced communities throughout the world through the use of technology.

Contributions from corporate sponsors and individuals enable the Fund to extend its reach, bringing valuable educational resources to populations in need.

Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. DCI has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in 149 countries with 180 million total subscribers. DCI's programming is tailored to the specific needs of viewers around the globe, and distributed through 43 separate feeds in 27 languages. DCI's networks encompass 14 entertainment brands including Animal Planet, TLC, The Travel Channel, Discovery Health, Discovery Kids, and a family of digital channels. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery.com. and 165 Discovery Channel retail stores. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States.

Multichoice manages and markets a premium pay-TV bouquet that consists of 53 and 48 well established local and international video and audio channels, all of which are highly rated, and is operated in 44 countries on the African continent. It provides a digital satellite television platform that allows it to offer top-quality television programming 24 hours a day.Multichoice is a division of MIH Limited, which is listed in NASDAQ, New York and AEX in Holland.

Discovery Channel Global Education Fund Bridges Digital Divide By Providing Technology Resources To New Ssese Island School

March 1, 2000

Kalangala, Ssese Islands, Uganda-President Yoweri Museveni celebrates the opening today of Sserwanga Lwanga Secondary School and the launch of the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF) Learning Centre project which provides to the school technology-based educational tools.

The event highlights the progress made to increase educational opportunities in remote areas of Uganda and to bridge the international digital divide. The event also marks the launch of the 12th school in Uganda to receive DCGEF resources - including solar power donated by DCGEF and Solar Light for the Churches of Africa (SLFCA). Attendees include First Lady Janet Museveni, members of parliament, the Minister of Education and other representatives from the Ministry of Education, members of local and international NGOs, and the local community.

Multichoice, a digital satellite provider headquartered in South Africa, is also partnering in this initiative to provide DCGEF Learning Centres with free monthly satellite subscriptions for a special bouquet of educational and informational channels.

"We're proud to support Uganda's education initiatives and to partner with Multichoice and Solar Light for the Churches of Africa to give communities the benefits of educational resources through technology," said Gail Ifshin, executive director, DCGEF. "Bridging the digital divide offers communities increased access to local information as well as providing a window to the world."

The Learning Centre project continues an exciting initiative in which new technology brings reliable sources of light, and new sights and sounds of the world via TV and satellite technology to Ugandan communities.

DCGEF Learning Centres are community managed projects in under-resourced areas of the world. Each Learning Centre is equipped with a satellite dish, television, VCR equipment and regionally tailored education videos. In addition to equipment and programming, teacher resource guides and training are provided to local educators and community leaders to ensure that each site is established as an ongoing community resource.

DCGEF's Learning Centre project is currently established at almost 60 schools and community centres in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, Mexico and Peru, reaching about 60,000 children and their communities. DCGEF's goal is to reach one million children by 2005.

Sponsored by Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) and other corporate and individual contributors, DCGEF is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to improving the educational opportunities of underresourced communities throughout the world through the use of technology.

Contributions from corporate sponsors and individuals enable DCGEF to extend its reach, bringing valuable educational resources to populations in need.

Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. DCI has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in 152 countries with 180 million total subscribers. DCI's programming is tailored to the specific needs of viewers around the globe, and distributed through 43 separate feeds in 33 languages. DCI's networks encompass 14 entertainment brands including Animal Planet, TLC, The Travel Channel, Discovery Health, Discovery Kids, and a family of digital channels. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery.com. and 165 Discovery Channel retail stores. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States.

Multichoice manages and markets a premium pay-TV bouquet that consists of 53 and 48 well established local and international video and audio channels, all of which are highly rated, and is operated in 44 countries on the African continent. It provides a digital satellite television platform that allows it to offer top-quality television programming 24 hours a day. Multichoice is a division of MIH Limited, which is listed in NASDAQ, New York and AEX in Holland.

Solar Light for the Churches of Africa (SLFCA), a U.S.-based non-profit project sponsored by the Hathaway Foundation, raises funds to electrify schools, churches and orphanages in East Africa.

Discovery Channel Global Education Fund Launches Educational Initiative at Hillcrest Primary School

February 16, 2000

The Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF) is partnering with the Paarl Valley Bottling Company to launch a new educational center at Hillcrest Primary School in Wellington. The launch will take place on Feb. 17 at 9 a.m. The Discovery Channel Global Education Fund is a not-for-profit charitable organization created to provide advanced technological resources and training to rural and disadvantaged schools and community centers. It is spearheaded by contributions from Discovery Communications Inc, the global media company known best for the Discovery Channel.

"The Paarl Valley Bottling Company is dedicated to the expansion of educational resources at a community level and we are very proud that they are partnering with the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund to bring this important initiative to Wellington," said Herman Bailey, Mayor of Wellington, and Co-worker of DCGEF. "The Discovery Channel Global Education Fund provides us with an outstanding avenue for increasing educational opportunities in Wellington and throughout the Western Cape and South Africa."

With a keen interest in moving the program into schools in rural farm areas of the Western Cape, the Paarl Valley Bottling Company is partnering with DCGEF by purchasing and installing a television, VCR, and satellite dish at Hillcrest Primary School. DCGEF will then provide video programs, training, and support to ensure that the equipment and program become a viable resource for the school and community.

"The Paarl Valley Bottling Company is committed to increasing educational opportunities for children in our region, and we are very proud to partner with the Discovery Global Education Fund to bring this important program to Hillcrest Primary School," said Mr. Jannie Le Roux, Chairman of the Paarl Valley Bottling Company and Vice Chairman of the KWV.

"With the involvement and contributions of partners like the Paarl Valley Bottling Company, the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund provides technology, tools and training that can be sustained at a community level, creating a lasting, positive impact," said Dr. Gail G. Ifshin, Executive Director, DCGEF.

The Discovery Channel Global Education Fund has its origins in the Discovery Channel African Education Initiative, a project which was started by Judith McHale, President and Chief Operating Officer of Discovery Communications Inc. in 1997, and which has established 12 learning centers in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Uganda, and 5 in Mexico and Peru serving 11 schools. The initiative also provides programming and training to an additional 25 schools and community centers in South Africa. The project attracted the attention of U.S. President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton who attended the opening of a learning center site near Johannesburg during their historic visit to Africa in 1998.

Working closely with local communities, the purpose of DCGEF is to establish learning center sites equipped with satellite dishes, televisions, VCR equipment and regionally tailored educational videos in needy schools and community centers around the world. Drawn from a variety of resources including Discovery's vast content library, programming is specifically designed to suit the cultural context of each region. In addition to equipment and programming, curriculum guides and training are provided to local educators and community leaders to ensure that each site is established as a sustainable community resource. This program enjoys the support of the South Africa education authorities.

On February 17, the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund will join with equipment donor Paarl Valley Bottling Company to launch a learning center at Hillcrest Primary School, a school in Wellington that draws children from the surrounding rural area. In partnership with other stakeholders in the wine industry, the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund plans to launch additional sites in the Western Cape by yearend.

The Discovery Channel Global Education Fund is a not-for-profit, charitable organization. Contributions from corporate sponsors and individuals enable the Fund to extend its reach, bringing valuable educational resources to populations in need.

The Paarl Valley Bottling Company is situated in the Wellington Industrial Park providing bottling facilities for several wine sellers in the region. As part of their social responsibility program they are supporting this initiative in Hillcrest Primary School, the school to which most of their workers send their children.

Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) is a privately held, global diversified media company headquartered in Bethesda, MD. Powered by the world's largest original, non-fiction production engine, DCI operates four distinct business units including Discovery Networks, U.S.; Discovery Networks, International; Discovery Enterprises Worldwide; and Discovery Themed Entertainment. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders -- Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: LMG.A/LMG.B), Cox Communications (NYSE: COX), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the company's founder, chairman and CEO.

Discovery Communications, Inc. Launches Global Educational Initiative

October 19, 1999

Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI), today announced its commitment to enrich the educational experience of individuals around the world through the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund, a not-for-profit charitable organization created to provide advanced technological resources and training to rural and disadvantaged schools and community centers. An expansion of a ground-breaking DCI-supported initiative called the Discovery Channel African Educational Initiative that established learning centers equipped with satellite and video technology in sub-Saharan Africa, the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund is partnering with Motorola Corporation to establish new educational centers throughout Latin America. The first sites will launch in Guadalajara, Mexico on November 4th, marking the initial steps of a global education effort. Judith A. McHale, president and chief operating office, DCI, made the announcement.

"As we approach the new millenium, DCI is committed to extending the positive benefits of the new Information Age to people worldwide," said McHale. "With the involvement and contributions of partners like Motorola Corporation, the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund provides technology, tools and training that can be sustained at a community level, creating a lasting, positive impact. "

The Discovery Channel Global Education Fund has its origins in the Discovery Channel African Education Initiative, a project which was started by McHale in 1997 and which has established 12 learning centers in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Uganda. The intiative also provides programming and training to an additional 25 schools and community centers in South Africa. The project attracted the attention of U.S. President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton who attended the opening of a learning center site near Johannesburg during their historic visit to Africa in 1998.

Working closely with local communities, the purpose of the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund is to establish learning center sites equipped with satellite dishes, televisions, VCR equipment and regionally tailored educational videos in needy schools and community centers around the world. Drawn from a variety of resources including Discovery's vast content library, programming is reversioned and designed to suit the language, customs and cultural needs of each region. In addition to equipment and programming, curriculum guides and training are provided to local educators and community leaders to ensure that each site is established as an ongoing community resource.

On November 4th, the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund will join with funding partner Motorola Corporation to launch learning centers at four schools in Guadalajara, Mexico. An additional three Discovery Channel Global Education Fund sites will launch in Mexico and Peru by yearend.

"Motorola is dedicated to the expansion of educational resources at a community level and we are very proud to partner with Discovery to bring this important initiative to Latin America," said Alejandro Reyes, Motorola University, Regional Manager for Mexico. "The Discovery Channel Global Education Fund provides us with an outstanding opportunity to help evolve elementary education first in Mexico and then throughout Latin America."

"Through our continuing efforts in Africa, we have been able to expand the learning experiences of more than 24,000 students and now the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund will extend that same opportunity to Latin America and other regions around the world," added McHale.

The Discovery Channel Global Education Fund is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. Contributions from corporate sponsors and individuals enable the Fund to extend its reach, bringing valuable educational resources to populations in need.

Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. The company's sales in 1998 totaled $29.4 billion.

Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) is a privately held, global diversified media company headquartered in Bethesda, MD. Powered by the world's largest original, non-fiction production engine, DCI operates four distinct business units including:
Discovery Networks, U.S., consisting of Discovery Channel (77.4 million subscribers), TLC (71.6 million subscribers), Animal Planet (53.1 million subscribers), Travel Channel (33.5 million subscribers), Discovery Health Channel, Discovery People, Discovery Kids Channel, Discovery Science Channel, Discovery Home & Leisure Channel, Discovery Civilization Channel, Discovery Wings Channel, and Discovery en Español. The unit also markets and distributes BBC America;
Discovery Networks, International, consisting of 32 different feeds of five distinctive channels transmitted worldwide over 15 satellites in 24 languages (not including the U.S.);
Discovery Enterprises Worldwide, consisting of Discovery Channel Interactive Media, Discovery Channel Online, Discovery Channel Video, Discovery Channel Publishing, Discovery Channel Education and Discovery Channel Retail;
Discovery Themed Entertainment, consisting of Discovery Pictures, Discovery Channel Eco-Challenge and out of home entertainment ventures.
DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders -- Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: LMG.A/LMG.B), Cox Communications (NYSE: COX), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the company's founder, chairman and CEO.

President Clinton and The First Lady Visit New Project Site Of Discovery Channel Foundation's African Educational Initiative.

Johnathan Rodgers conducts on-site interview with the President

April 6, 1998

During his recent trip to Africa, where he emphasized the importance of education for all children, President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton participated in the opening of the Discovery Channel Foundation's fourth project site of its African Educational Initiative - a public service project aimed at providing rural and under-resourced regions with the technology that allows them access to valuable educational information.

At the Maphanzela Primary School in Thokoza, South Africa (near Johannesburg), President Clinton expressed his support for the Foundation's initiative and met with school officials and students. Discovery Channel Foundation executive director Gail Ifshin led the students and educators in an informal question and answer session with the President and First Lady where they demonstrated their new educational resources, and the President and First Lady conveyed some ideas on how the equipment and content might be utilized for enhanced learning.

Following this visit, President Clinton sat down for a taped conversation with Johnathan Rodgers, president, Discovery Networks, U.S., to discuss private sector involvement in developing educational technological infrastructure. Attached is a transcript from that interview, which will be included in a future documentary.

Launched in November 1997, the African Educational Initiative installs satellite and video technology, free of charge, in schools and community centers, coupled with technical training and educational and informational programming tailored to the specific requests of the community. All programming originating from Discovery's library is also accompanied by teacher resource guides. The initiative began in South Africa and is expanding throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative will eventually roll out around the world.

  • Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) is a privately held, diversified media company headquartered in Bethesda, MD. Fueled by the world's largest original, non-fiction production engine, DCI operates three distinct business units including:
    Discovery Networks, U.S., consisting of Discovery Channel (73.5 million subscribers), TLC (The Learning Channel - 64 million subscribers), Animal Planet (37.2 million subscribers), Travel Channel (owned jointly [70%] with Paxson Communications [30%] - 18.8 million subscribers), Discovery Kids Channel, Discovery Science Channel, Discovery Home & Leisure Channel, Discovery Civilization Channel and the recently announced Discovery Wings Channel;
  • Discovery Networks International, consisting of 34 different feeds of 9 networks transmitted over 16 satellites worldwide in 19 languages;
  • Discovery Enterprises Worldwide, consisting of Discovery Channel Multimedia, Discovery Channel Online, Discovery Channel Video, Discovery Channel Publishing and Discovery Channel Education; Discovery Channel Retail, consisting of 104 stores of The Nature Company, 18 Discovery Channel Stores and 1 Scientific Revolution store.
    In addition, Your Choice TV, a subsidiary of DCI, is the first and only television service to give viewers a selection of various times to order and watch television programs soon after those shows' original airings.

DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders -- Liberty Media Corporation, a division of Tele-Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: LBTYA/LBTYB), Cox Communications (NYSE: COX), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the company's founder, chairman and CEO.