TRESTLE GROUP FOUNDATION FEATURED AT UN HEADQUARTERS EVENT
Schonenbach Presents Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Partnership Program
During International Conference
United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY – 9 February 2007 – Trestle Group CEO and Trestle Group Foundation Board Member Ralph Schonenbach today presented the foundation’s
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Partnership Program during an international conference at the
United Nations highlighting how information technologies can improve the lives of all generations.
“The mission of Trestle Group Foundation is to empower entrepreneurs in developing economies,”
said Ralph Schonenbach, Trestle Group Foundation Board Member. “Through our Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Partnership Program, we are directly connecting women entrepreneurs in
developing countries with established business professionals – who provide knowledge, experience,
networks and resources,” he continued. “This hands-on support creates and expands sustainable
opportunities – fulfilling potential and ensuring success.”
The event – “Age of Connectivity: Cities, Magnets of Hope” – held during the annual session of the
Commission on Social Development showcased how virtual communities and social networking can
enhance the quality of life in cities. It explored the way information and communication technology
(ICT) can boost economic development and permit lifelong learning and employment. Organizers
included the International Council for Caring Communities, World Olympians Association, UNHABITAT,
the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Department of Public Information,
NGOs and the private sector. Participants include experts on urban planning and development, ICT,
finance, government, business and health.
Providing a private sector viewpoint on the power of new philanthropy, Mr. Schonenbach highlighted
the “power of the collective” demonstrating how Trestle Group Foundation is working in
collaboration with forward-thinking businesses and organizations including Microsoft Ltd., IBM,
Hexaware Technologies, UBS, IUCN (World Conservation Union), Addleshaw Goddard LLP and
Innovative Social Ventures to provide direct “hands-on” support to emerging entrepreneurs in
developing countries.
“We believe entrepreneurship fuels the engine that drives social and economic change,” said Mr.
Schonenbach. “We welcome the support and opportunity to work with such world-renowned
companies and organizations,” he continued. “I am confident that working together we can
successfully provoke change in developing countries.”
About Trestle Group Foundation
Developed by a dynamic team of entrepreneurs and international business professionals,
Group Foundation is an innovative, change-provoking, nonprofit organization dedicated
and expanding sustainable economic opportunities in developing countries.
For more information contact:
Dana Smith, Trestle Group Foundation Managing Director, Tel: +44 207 153 1006;
d.smith@trestlegroupfoundation.org; Web: www.trestlegroupfoundation.org
Event information:
Edoardo Bellando, UN Department of Public Information, Tel: 212 963 8275; bellando@un.org;
Web: www.un.org/events/agingcf.htm
