Global Action Forum 2011

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Cause Effect Agency

Okello Sam with Global Action Youth Leadership Award Winner Miley Cyrus at the 2011 Global Action Awards

Last week Okello Sam, founder of Cause Effect Agency client Hope North, was invited to participate in the first annual Global Action Forum in Los Angeles. Okello spoke about his personal experiences that inspired him to launch his own grassroots organization as part of the Human Rights panel “End Slavery Now.” Other noteworthy panelists included Kevin Bales, President and Co-Founder of Free the Slaves; Bill Livermore, Executive Director of Cause Effect Agency client Somaly Mam Foundation; and Anne Archer, co-founder of Artists for Human Rights.

In addition to his work with Hope North, Okello is also a renowned dance and theater artist, and musician, so that evening he was invited to join a host of popular musicians in performing an original song as part of the Global Action Awards ceremony hosted by Kara DioGuardi. Okello’s touching story and song blew away the crowd, which included co-hosts Miley Cyrus, America Ferrera, Hilary Duff, Rebecca Romijn, and Katharine McPhee. In fact, after his performance, Miley found Okello in the green room to tell him his music is “awesome.” Click below to hear the song.

Many thanks to Frances Lewis and all at the Global Action Forum for an extraordinary two days of new connections and opportunities.