MARITAGE International and McCann Health Partner To Create First-ever Campaign for 'A Shawl for All Women'

CANNES, France, June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MARITAGE (Multicultural Art and Heritage for Development) International—a global initiative led by First Ladies, women leaders,  and influential artistic society, government, policy maker, and development actors around the world— announced today that it will partner with McCann Health, to launch a new global platform called "A Shawl for All Women Partnerships."

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130619/NY35021 )

The new partnership was announced at the 2013 Cannes International Festival of Creativity.

"The shawl is a powerful universal symbol that unifies all women and represents the interrelated themes of art, culture, health and motherhood," said Her Excellency Dr. Christine Kaseba, First Lady of Zambia and a leading advocate of the effort.

MARITAGE International is a non-profit global initiative that seeks to economically empower female artisan groups in developing countries through collaboration with the public and private sectors.

According to MARITAGE, the goal is to galvanize support and raise funds for women's health initiatives by connecting public and private organizations that share an interest in improving the livelihood of vulnerable women and contributing to overall sustainable development.

"We are very proud and excited to partner with MARITAGE International to create the first-ever global campaign to launch 'A Shawl for All Women,'" said John Cahill. "It's a privilege to embark on this journey of hope with MARITAGE and to have the opportunity to connect partner brands with a global initiative that supports women's health and empowerment."

A "Shawl for All Women" will bring together partners from health, beauty and fashion to:

• Generate economic development opportunities for women through the design and sales of shawls, often leveraging partnerships with high fashion partners
• Raise funds for maternal and child health initiatives, such as Every Mother Counts

A "Shawl for All Women" will be launched at a gathering of First Ladies and influential women of the world taking place on September 24-25, 2013 in New York. The launch will coincide with the United Nations General Assembly Conferences and New York Fashion Week.

The entire MARITAGE International Delegation to Cannes is comprised of: Mrs. Coumba Toure, MARITAGE Chair and Founder of Advanced Development for Africa (ADA); Mr. Ludy Suryantoro, the Author and the Conceptualizer of "A Shawl for All Women" concept and partnerships; Mrs. Delia Von Rueti, MARITAGE Speaker for Hope and an International Jewelry Designer, Artist & Philanthropist; Ms. Sarah Von Rueti, MARITAGE Youth Ambassador; Mrs. Pingkan Ullmer, MARITAGE Coordinator; Ms. Trelise Cooper, MARITAGE Honorary Fashion Designer; and Ms. Hofit Golan, MARITAGE Honorary Host.

About McCann Health: Comprising the world's most connected health and wellness experts, McCann Health (www.mccannhealth.com) is the most awarded professional and consumer health communications network with the largest international expertise spanning 35 countries and 57 offices. McCann Health's global network includes McCann HumanCare, McCann Healthcare, McCann Regan Campbell Ward, McCann Torre Lazur, McCann Complete Medical, the leading worldwide medical communications practice, and Double Helix, an international healthcare consultancy focused on working with clients on strategic market research and market access issues. McCann Health is a part of McCann Worldgroup, the largest marketing communications agency network in the world, and is a leading healthcare agency network owned by Interpublic Group [NYSE: IPG].

SOURCE McCann Health