​American Lawyer Attends London Global Thinkers Forum Awards for Excellence in Philanthropy and Positive Change

New York, NY, December 9, 2016 (Newswire.com) - ​​​​Jay Blumenkopf, a partner in the United States law firm of Gordon & Rees, LLP, attended the Global Thinkers Forum Awards for Excellence Gala in London on December 8, 2016 in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of One Heart World-Wide, a third world infant and maternal health charitable organization.  The theme for the event was Philanthropy and Positive Change.  Dubbed the most exquisite event in London in 2016, world acclaimed Emmy nominee Sir Dirk Brossé, Music Director of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and winner of the GTF 2013 Award for Excellence in Cultural Creativity, gave an exclusive live concert. International Broadcaster Stephen Cole was the Master of Ceremonies.

The Global Thinkers Forum is a platform that brings together a diverse network of thought leaders to effect positive change in the world.  It was created to help our societies and leaders navigate a very complex world, and it celebrates organizations and individuals promoting positive change in the world. Miss Arlene Samen, who founded One Heart at the request of the Dalai Lama, accepted the Excellence in Women’s Empowerment award in behalf of One Heart, which has over 15 years of experience implementing maternal and neonatal mortality prevention programs where women often die alone at home giving birth.  

The aim of One Heart is to improve access to and utilization of healthcare services to reduce the risk of maternal and neonatal mortality in the most remote areas of the world.  It operates on the belief that all women and newborns can receive the quality healthcare services they deserve during pregnancy and childbirth, anytime and anyplace. Previous Global Thinkers Forum Award Honorees include Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, Ariana Huffington and Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser.

Mr. Blumenkopf, a member of the Board of Directors of One Heart since 2003, is serving his third term as Chairman of the Board.  In behalf of One Heart, he has traveled on humanitarian missions to such remote areas of the world as Tibet, Nepal, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the jungle of Ecuador.  

In the Congo, Mr. Blumenkopf stared down a Congolese soldier pointing a Kalishnikov at his heart until the soldier’s commanding officer arrived and ordered the soldier to stand down.  The elders of the indigenous Achuar Tribe in the jungle of Ecuador said they saw the heart of a great warrior in Mr. Blumenkopf and made him a member of the tribe.  That way he could only war with the Achuar, and not against them.  “Some warrior,” said Mr. Blumenkopf, “I was crying during the ceremony.  I do have an Achuar name, Yanquam, and a magnificent set of Achuar war beads.  I have just not found the right occasion on which to wear them in the United States.”

The International Committee of the Red Cross received the Excellence in Positive Change Award. Elif Shafak, an award-winning novelist, woman’s and LGBT rights advocate and inspirational public speaker, received the Excellence in Promoting Gender Equality Award.  HRH Princess Lamia bint Majed AlSaud, Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies, received a Special Award for Contribution to Humanity, and Lord John Alderdice, Chairman of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building in Belfast, received the Excellence In Peace and Collaboration Award.  The 2017 Global Thinkers Forum will be held in Oslo, Norway on May 17th.  The theme will be People in Motion: The Global Impact of Migration.

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Source: Gordon & Rees, LLP