12/07/2009 Faces of Freedom Exhibit Opens at the World Bank

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

 

Contact: April Thompson, RugMark USA,            
April@GoodWeave.org, 202-234-9050

 

Faces of Freedom Opens at the World Bank


WHAT: The World Bank will host a reception to launch Faces of Freedom, a nationally touring photography exhibit curated by RugMark USA, a nonprofit organization working to end exploitative child labor in South Asia’s handmade carpet industry.

This collection of images, taken by acclaimed photographer and film director U. Roberto Romano, depicts illegal child labor in South Asia’s handmade rug industry. The exhibition also features portraits of children assisted by the GoodWeave certification program, RugMark’s innovative, market-based solution to the problem. Faces of Freedom is being hosted in venues across North America to herald GoodWeave’s progress in the fight against child labor.

A collection of luxurious carpets, certified child-labor-free by GoodWeave, will also be on display. Participating companies include CariniLang, Creative Matters, Kooches, elson and company, emma gardner design, Odegard, Inc., New Moon, Rosemary Hallgarten, Stile BK, and Warp & Weft.

WHEN: The reception will be held on International Human Rights Day, Thursday, December 10, 2009, 5–7pm. The exhibition, on display through January 2010, will be available for viewing by invitation only; private tours can be arranged by contacting www.worldbank.org/artprogram to register for a tour.

WHERE: President’s Gallery, World Bank, 1818 H Street NW, 12th Floor, Washington DC 20433

WHO: Confirmed speakers include: 
  • H.E. Shankar P. Sharma, Ambassador, Nepal Embassy
  • Sun Vithespongse, Executive Director, Nepal/World Bank
  • Nina Smith, Executive Director, RugMark USA
  • U. Roberto Romano, Photographer, Faces of Freedom

To schedule an interview or attend the reception and exhibit preview, please contact:
April Thompson, Director of Marketing & Communications, 202.234.9050, april@GoodWeave.org

For more information on the exhibit, visit FacesofFreedom.GoodWeave.org. For more information on RugMark USA and the GoodWeave certification program, visit www.GoodWeave.org.

About GoodWeave
The international nonprofit organization RugMark works to end exploitative child labor in the South Asian carpet industry through the GoodWeave certification program, which inspects weaving looms and provides rehabilitation and education for former child weavers. The GoodWeave label offers the best assurance that no child labor was used in the manufacture of a carpet or rug.