Media Advisory / Photo Opportunity - Toronto celebrates the first-ever International Day of the Girl on October 11

Public celebration at Yonge-Dundas Square to feature live performance by Alyssa Reid, Because I am a Girl's newest Celebrated Ambassador

TORONTO, Oct. 4, 2012 /CNW/ - This October 11 is the first-ever International Day of the Girl - a day formally declared by the United Nations to recognize girls' rights globally and support action to address discrimination and other barriers young girls face.

Led by Plan Canada as part of its Because I am a Girl initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls' rights and lift millions of girls - and everyone around them - out of poverty, the International Day of the Girl was made possible thanks to the leadership, enthusiastic support and passion of Canadians.  It took thousands of young girls and boys in Canada and worldwide signing petitions and speaking out to politicians, the support of individual advocates and non-profit organizations, the unanimous, all-party support of the Canadian government, and support from the United Nations to make International Day of the Girl a reality.

To celebrate this day in Toronto, Plan Canada is holding a free concert at Yonge-Dundas Square with a live performance by international recording artist and newest Because I am a Girl Celebrated Ambassador Alyssa Reid. Alyssa will be performing her song Watch Me Soar, available for download on iTunes with proceeds benefitting Plan's Because I am a Girl Fund.

We hope you can celebrate with us.

WHO:	Alyssa Reid, International Recording Artist and newest Because I am a Girl Celebrated Ambassador Representative from Plan Canada Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, Because I am a Girl National Celebrated Ambassador Because I am a Girl Youth Ambassador
WHAT:	Media briefing prior to concert; photo opportunities to follow
WHEN:	Thursday, October 11, 2012 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. - Media briefing, 1:1 interviews and photo opportunities 5:05 - 5:35 p.m. - Performance by the Bishop Strachan School local girls' senior choir 5:40 - 5:50 p.m. - Opening remarks by Sophie Grégoire Trudeau: Photo opportunity with Sophie and Alyssa asking audience to put their hands up for girls' education 5:55 - 6:40 p.m. - Alyssa Reid performance
WHERE:	Main Stage Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto ON

About Plan and the 'Because I am a Girl' Initiative
Founded in 1937, Plan is one of the world's oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, Plan has only one agenda: to improve the lives of children. Because I am a Girl is Plan's global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls' rights and lift millions of girls - and everyone around them - out of poverty. Visit www.plancanada.ca and www.becauseiamagirl.ca for more information.

 

SOURCE: Plan Canada

For media inquiries, contact:

Abigail Brown, Media and Public Relations Manager, Plan Canada
T: 416 920 1654 ext 277  |  C: 647 971 3764  |  [email protected]  

Kristy Payne, Director of Strategic Communications, Plan Canada
T: 416 920 1654 ext 211  |  C: 416 568 6525  |  [email protected]

Jennifer Ouellette, Hill+Knowlton Strategies
T: 416 413 4774 | [email protected]