Amazingly all the experts give their time voluntarily to help the non-profit participants understand how to raise money from others for their worthy causes and the participants came from some of the largest charities in the world as well as from grassroots.

The atmosphere is very friendly and it was most efficiently run by Resource Alliance (see link to their website) who have the help of many willing volunteers. There were over 900 people there from more than 50 countries and I do congratulate Resource Alliance on the whole event.

Three of the highlights for me were

1.Over five hours of wonderful teaching from Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi of the African Women's Development Fund and Jane Waterman of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance on "how to approach foundations successfully"

2. A really good couple of sessions (3 hours in all) with Guy Mallabone from Canada on "The new world order of philanthropy-Major Gifts"

3. A great session lead by Tony Myers, also from Alberta, on "The power of corporate connections" where Anne-Marie Grey of UNICEF and Marianne Barner of IKEA talked in an inspiring and very practical way on how they had effectively worked closely together for the good of young children, and the avoidance of child labour.

I am confident that the knowledge, and contacts, I have gained will help Global Links Initiative in achieving its objectives and in doing so also help many of our wonderful networkers and their own projects.

But most of all I shall remember the friendship shown by so many caring people in one place all determined to make this world a better place. All very inspiring!"