A21 Launches Host Applications for Walk for Freedom 2024

Celebrating a Decade of Impact

DALLAS, TX, June 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A21, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating human trafficking through awareness, intervention, and aftercare, is thrilled to announce that applications to become a host for the 2024 Walk For Freedom are now live. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the world’s largest anti-human trafficking event of its kind, taking place on October 19th, 2024.

Since its inception in 2014, Walk For Freedom has united people worldwide, activated cities, reduced vulnerability, and multiplied freedom. We have seen over 350,000 participants take millions of steps for freedom in over 500 cities globally. The event has reached over 2 billion people through media coverage and social media and distributed over 1.4 million awareness and prevention materials.

Bring Walk For Freedom to Your City

Hosts are the catalysts for local action and global impact. They set the foundation for community mobilization, inspire others to stand for justice, and help build a legacy of freedom for future generations. As a host, you can bring Walk For Freedom to your city, raising awareness and driving action against modern-day slavery.

How Awareness Leads to Recovery

Last October, one day after participating in the Walk for Freedom in Kolkata, India, a man noticed signs of trafficking in his neighborhood. Armed with the knowledge and resources distributed during the walk, he immediately alerted local authorities, who then raided the house and rescued the girls.

“This time, when I spotted it, it stirred my heart,” said Gourav Singha Roy. “We are educated people. We are young people, living in cities, [with] urban lives. Yet, we are blind to many things that seem very normal to us. For example, little children working in the shop below the age of 14 years is something which is not right, which is illegal.”

His awareness, sparked by the Walk For Freedom event, led to the rescue of two young girls from forced labor. This story underscores the profound impact of awareness, education, and local action in the fight against human trafficking.

For more on Roy’s story, watch the CNN Freedom Project Report here.

Key Details for Hosts

  • Event Date: October 19, 2024
  • Application Deadline: September 19, 2024
  • EligibilityHosts must be 18 years or older and have a co-host for the event.
  • Responsibilities: Hosts are responsible for organizing, preparing, communicating, managing costs, and promoting their local walk.

Host Application Process

  • ApplySubmit your application online.
  • Review: A21 will review your application.
  • InterviewSelected candidates will be invited for a 30-minute interview.
  • DecisionApplicants will be notified via email about their acceptance.

Support for Hosts

A21 provides comprehensive support to ensure the success of each Walk For Freedom event, including:

  • Direct Contact with A21: Access to a dedicated team via phone, email, Zoom, and webinars.
  • Digital Resource Kit: Includes posters, flyers, fact sheets, day-of signage, planning guides, and more.

Join the Movement

This year, we need your leadership more than ever. Together, we can disrupt modern-day slavery and create a world where freedom thrives. Apply to become a Walk For Freedom host and make a difference in your community.

For more information and to apply, visit www.A21.org/WalkForFreedom.

About A21:
A21 is a global nonprofit organization determined to eradicate human trafficking through awareness, intervention, and aftercare. Currently operating across over 20 countries worldwide, A21 is a global anti-human trafficking organization dedicated to abolishing slavery everywhere, forever. Through partnerships and the efforts of supporters all over the globe, A21 believes slavery can be prevented, victims can be identified and assisted, perpetrators can be brought to justice, and millions of survivors can step into a life of independence. A21.org

Interviews:
Should you be interested in speaking with an A21 representative about the Walk For Freedom or the impact of current events on human trafficking, please don’t hesitate to contact: lauren.w@a21.org

Press artwork:
Walk for Freedom Photos

Video:
2023 Walk For Freedom Recap Video

Attachments

Lauren Wittel-Henrie
A21
lauren.w@a21.org

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9169215

Anaqua Launches AI-Powered IP Management Platform AQX® 11

New IP management platform drives efficiency and surfaces insights empowering organizations to excel in a competitive landscape

BOSTON, June 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Anaqua, the leading provider of innovation and intellectual property (IP) management technology, today announces the launch of AI-powered AQX® 11—Anaqua’s most significant platform release in 20 years—to help corporations and law firms achieve maximum value from their IP assets. The launch coincides with the first day of the Anaqua Experience Conference and is part of the company’s 20th-anniversary celebrations.

An IP platform designed for operational and strategic advantage, AQX 11 brings a fresh look and feel to the world of IP management while dramatically enhancing decision-making capabilities and efficiency for IP attorneys and operations teams. A suite of new features includes:

AI Capabilities: AI Patent Summaries™ and AI Patent Auto-Classifier™ streamline patent review and classification processes, reducing manual work and enhancing data accuracy. With these AI capabilities, users can easily summarize patent claims and inventions, and automatically classify and map both internal and competitor patents to their organization’s proprietary classification system, providing a comprehensive view of the competitive landscape.

Attorney Workspace: For the first time, attorneys can quickly access critical data related to IP matters in one central place. Attorneys can accelerate and improve decision-making by having all pertinent information surfaced, including Office Actions, Foreign Filing, Annuity Decisions, and more.

Automation: Document Auto-Processing is a significant advancement, eliminating the manual work involved in docketing PTO communications, reducing errors, and enabling IP teams to concentrate on validating data accuracy and performing higher-level tasks, rather than data entry.

Domain Name Management: A new module tracks and manages Domain Name information alongside IP assets, providing a holistic view of an organization’s portfolio that is aligned with the way business owners manage these critical assets.

Innovation Management: Organizations can accelerate innovation and maximize value by facilitating early and frequent involvement of IP attorneys in strategic planning through Innovation Management. The module improves idea capture and development from the entire customer organization, streamlines collaboration across teams, and provides efficient tools for managing inventor and non-inventor contributions, ultimately enhancing speed to market and ensuring the best ideas are protected and implemented.

Product Management: A new feature gives visibility into patent contributions by tying patents, trademarks, and financial data to product families, enabling a clear understanding of the IP assets that drive product value. This enhanced visibility, including Patent Evaluation data in subject relationships, simplifies licensing opportunities and informs IP renewal decisions.

“Today is a milestone as we launch AQX 11,” said Bob Romeo, Anaqua CEO. “Powered by AI and enhanced automation, it’s a leap forward in IP management technology. As we celebrate Anaqua’s 20th anniversary, this release highlights our progress and commitment to innovation. We are excited to commemorate our anniversary and share this achievement with our global client community, who have been integral in making this possible.”

Vincent Brault, Senior Vice President of Product & Innovation at Anaqua, further emphasized the significance of the release: “AQX 11 reflects extensive collaboration with our valued client community. This release empowers our clients to optimize operational efficiency and strategic decision-making through groundbreaking AI capabilities and automation. By enabling IP practitioners to extract vital insights from essential data and streamline portfolio decisions and patent classification, AQX 11 sets a new standard in IP management technology.”

For more information about AQX 11 and to request a demo, please visit anaqua.com.

About Anaqua
Anaqua, Inc. is a premier provider of integrated intellectual property (IP) management technology solutions and services for corporations and law firms. Its IP management software solutions, AQX® and PATTSY WAVE®, both offer best practice workflows with big data analytics and tech-enabled services to create an intelligent environment designed to inform IP strategy, enable IP decision-making, and streamline IP operations, tailored to each segment’s need. Today, nearly half of the top 100 U.S. patent filers and global brands, as well as a growing number of law firms worldwide use Anaqua’s solutions. Over one million IP executives, attorneys, paralegals, administrators, and innovators use the platform for their IP management needs. The company’s global operations are headquartered in Boston, with offices across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Australia. For additional information, please visit anaqua.com, or on Anaqua’s LinkedIn.

Company Contact:
Amanda Glagolev
Director, Communications
Anaqua
617-375-5808
aglagolev@anaqua.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9157793

Anaqua lance la plateforme de gestion PI AQX® 11, alimentée par l’IA

La nouvelle plateforme de gestion PI permet d’améliorer l’efficacité et d’obtenir des analyses précises, permettant ainsi aux entreprises d’exceller dans un environnement compétitif

BOSTON, 26 juin 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Anaqua, fournisseur leader de technologies de gestion de l’innovation et de la propriété intellectuelle (PI), annonce aujourd’hui le lancement d’AQX® 11, alimenté par l’IA – la version la plus importante de la plateforme d’Anaqua en 20 ans – pour aider les entreprises et les conseils en propriété industrielle à tirer le maximum de valeur de leurs actifs de PI. Ce lancement coïncide avec le premier jour de la conférence Anaqua Experience et fait partie des célébrations du 20ème anniversaire de la société.

Plateforme de PI conçue pour développer un avantage opérationnel et stratégique, AQX 11 prend une nouvelle apparence, tout en améliorant considérablement les capacités de prise de décision et l’efficacité des avocats, juristes et personnels administratifs en propriété intellectuelle. Parmi les nouvelles fonctionnalités, on peut citer :

Intelligence Artificielle : Les outils AI Patent Summaries™ et AI Patent Auto-Classifier™ optimisent les processus d’examen et de classification des brevets, en réduisant le travail manuel et en améliorant la précision des données. Grâce à ces fonctionnalités d’IA, les utilisateurs peuvent facilement résumer les revendications de brevets et les inventions, et classer et cartographier automatiquement les brevets internes et ceux des concurrents selon le système de classification propre à leur entreprise, offrant ainsi une vue d’ensemble du paysage concurrentiel.

Espace de travail des avocats : Pour la première fois, les avocats peuvent accéder rapidement aux données essentielles relatives aux questions de propriété intellectuelle en un seul endroit. Ils peuvent accélérer et améliorer leur prise de décision en ayant accès à toutes les informations pertinentes, y compris les actions de l’office, les dépôts internationaux, les décisions relatives aux annuités, etc.

Automatisation : L’automatisation du traitement des documents est une avancée significative qui élimine le travail manuel lié à l’enregistrement des communications des Offices des brevets et des marques, réduit les erreurs et permet aux équipes de propriété intellectuelle de se concentrer sur la validation de l’exactitude des données et l’exécution de tâches de plus haut niveau, plutôt que sur la saisie de données.

Gestion des noms de domaine : Un nouveau module permet de suivre et de gérer les informations relatives aux noms de domaine en même temps que les actifs de propriété intellectuelle, offrant ainsi une vision globale du portefeuille d’une entreprise, et qui s’aligne sur la manière dont les propriétaires d’entreprises gèrent ces actifs essentiels.

Gestion de l’innovation : Les entreprises peuvent accélérer l’innovation et maximiser sa valeur en facilitant l’implication précoce et fréquente des conseils en propriété industrielle dans la planification stratégique grâce à un module de gestion de l’innovation. Ce module améliore la capture et le développement d’idées provenant de l’ensemble de l’entreprise cliente, optimise la collaboration entre les équipes et fournit des outils efficaces pour gérer les contributions des inventeurs et des non-inventeurs, ce qui accélère la mise sur le marché et garantit que les meilleures idées sont protégées et mises en œuvre.

Gestion des produits : Une nouvelle fonctionnalité permet de visualiser les contributions en matière de brevets en liant les brevets, les marques et les données financières aux familles de produits. Ceci permet de comprendre clairement les actifs de propriété intellectuelle qui augmentent la valeur des produits. Cette visibilité accrue, y compris les données d’évaluation des brevets dans les relations avec les sujets, simplifie les opportunités de licence et éclaire les décisions de renouvellement de la propriété intellectuelle.

« Aujourd’hui est une étape importante puisque nous lançons AQX 11 », a déclaré Bob Romeo, PDG d’Anaqua. « Alimenté par l’IA et une automatisation améliorée, c’est un bond en avant dans les technologies de gestion de la PI. Alors que nous célébrons le 20ème anniversaire d’Anaqua, ce lancement souligne nos progrès et notre engagement en matière d’innovation. Nous sommes ravis de célébrer notre anniversaire et de partager cet accomplissement avec notre communauté mondiale de clients, qui ont joué un rôle essentiel dans la réalisation de ce projet. »

Vincent Brault, Vice-président senior du produit et de l’innovation chez Anaqua, a souligné l’importance de cette version : « AQX 11 est le résultat d’une collaboration étendue avec notre communauté de clients. Cette version permet à nos clients d’optimiser l’efficacité opérationnelle et la prise de décision stratégique grâce à des capacités d’IA et d’automatisation révolutionnaires. En permettant aux acteurs de la propriété intellectuelle d’extraire des informations vitales à partir de données essentielles et de rationaliser les décisions relatives aux portefeuilles et à la classification des brevets, AQX 11 établit une nouvelle norme en matière de technologie de gestion de la propriété intellectuelle. »

Pour plus d’informations sur AQX 11 et pour demander une démonstration, veuillez consulter le site anaqua.com.

À propos d’Anaqua
Anaqua, Inc. est un fournisseur de premier plan de solutions et services technologiques intégrés de gestion de la propriété intellectuelle (PI). Ses logiciels, AQX® et PATTSY WAVE®, combinent les meilleurs outils pour définir une stratégie de PI avisée. Ses technologies, qui reposent notamment sur des workflows et des capacités d’analyses avancés, offre un environnement de travail intelligent conçu pour prendre de meilleures décisions et optimiser les opérations de PI. Aujourd’hui, près de la moitié des 100 premiers déposants de brevets américains et des marques mondiales, ainsi qu’un nombre croissant de cabinets de conseils en PI dans le monde, utilisent les solutions Anaqua. Plus d’un million de décideurs, avocats, juristes, gestionnaires et innovateurs utilisent les logiciels Anaqua pour leurs besoins de gestion de la PI. Le siège de la société est situé à Boston, avec des bureaux aux États-Unis, en Europe, en Asie et en Australie. Pour de plus amples informations, veuillez consulter le site anaqua.com, ou la page entreprise d’Anaqua sur LinkedIn.

Contact presse :
Amanda Glagolev
Directrice de la communication
Anaqua
+1-617-375-5808
aglagolev@anaqua.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9157793

Combating Tuberculosis In Nakuru


Nakuru County government has been implementing community Tuberculosis (TB) interventions with support from World Vision’s Global Fund TB Project since July 2021, a three-year project aimed at combating tuberculosis the disease.

The County Director for Medical Services Dr. Daniel Wainaina over the past three years, the project has focused on various community TB interventions and that one of the standout achievements includes the successful execution of outreach events in informal urban areas, which hit a 100% success rate.

He was speaking today during an evaluation meeting with stakeholders at a Nakuru hotel.

Additionally, he said 366 facility Quality Improvement meetings were supported, reaching an impressive 95% of the target and that over 4449 children under five years were screened for TB for free, a 147% achievement against the set targets at baseline.

The project also provided monthly support to 694 Linkage Assistants in health facilities and complemented the County’s focus on direct patient interve
ntions by visiting 7,941 bacteriologically confirmed TB patients for contact screening, surpassing the target by 101%.

The County through the project also reached all the eleven sub-counties and sensitized 220 Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) on TB preventive therapy, both with a perfect 100% success rate. Schools were not left behind, with 181 sensitization meetings conducted, hitting the 100% mark.

The project also extended support to train TB champions among healthcare workers where 33 TB champions and 256 clinicians/documentation officers were identified and trained to sustain the gains made so far.

Dr. Wainaina said that the fight against TB through this project was evidence of a successful model for community health interventions, bringing the county closer to the ultimate goal of reducing TB.

The County Director reiterated the county’s commitment to raising public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB.

He noted that according to the 2023 WHO report, Kenya
is among the 30 high burdened countries which together contribute 85 percent of all global cases.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Digital Certification System To Reduce Transaction Costs For Traders


Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has officially launched the Integrated Export and Import Certification System (IEICS).

The innovative digital platform is designed to slash the time and cost associated with obtaining trade plant health certificates, licenses and permits for plant and plant materials.

State Department for Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Rono who unveiled the platform on Tuesday termed it as an important milestone for traders of plants and plant products.

‘The new System is a game-changer in how traders dealing in the import and export of plants or plant materials can engage more efficiently and seamlessly with KEPHIS and other agencies through integrated modules,’ Dr Rono added.

The PS noted that noble initiatives such as this are aligned with the Government’s efforts to improve the environment for doing business and positioning the country as an attractive destination to invest in.

Congratulating KEPHIS for this innovative achievement, the PS singled out the IEICS as
an example on how state agencies, with the support of partners such as Denmark and TradeMark Africa, are facilitating initiatives to improve the business environment through automation of systems for trade agencies.

‘The launch of IEICS is in line with government’s initiatives to digitise processes, thus facilitating the ease of doing business,’ he said.

Previously, there were two systems: the Export Certification System used to facilitate plant exports to market destinations and the Import Certification System that KEPHIS used to facilitate imports.

KEPHIS Managing Director, Prof Theophilus Mutui, said the innovative system will streamline the certification process, thereby saving traders time and money, while improving overall efficiency of regulatory work as far as the certification process is concerned.

‘The system has also enabled government to government exchange of trade information and data through electronic phytosanitary certification platform (ePhyto), thereby reducing forgeries of permits and
certificates issued or received by international trading partners,’ he added.

By automating the certification process, KEPHIS is promoting a more business-friendly environment and the IEICS system will reduce paperwork, physical interaction and effectively map regional offices for clients’ access.

According to KEPHIS, this has also reduced the administrative burden and transaction cost for traders or their appointed agents by up to 15 percent in that all processes are carried out in real time, and the status communicated to the trader.

Acting Senior Director, Trade Environment at TradeMark Africa, Benedict Musengele said the system will provide a user-friendly online-based automated system for submitting applications, paying the requisite fees, tracking the approval process, and receiving certificates.

Additionally, he added that there is more transparency in the certification process as traders can now track the progress of their applications through the system without having to contact anyone for updat
es.

The launch of the Integrated Export and Import Certification System (IEICS) comes even as KEPHIS is preparing to host the first International Seed Conference in August 2024 on seed quality assurance.

KEPHIS is the government agency whose mandate is to assure the quality of agricultural inputs and produce to promote food security and economic growth through three key areas: seed certification, protection of plant varieties, phytosanitary services and analyses of agricultural inputs and produce through globally accredited laboratories.

TradeMark Africa (TMA) formerly TradeMark East Africa, is a leading African aid-for-trade organisation that was established with an aim to grow intra-African trade and increase Africa’s share in global trade, while helping make trade more pro-poor and more environmentally sustainable.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Embrace Public Participation Forums, Kiambu Residents Urged


Kiambu County residents have been urged to embrace public participation forums to enhance democratic governance, ensure transparency, accountability and foster community engagement.

Salome Wainaina, the County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Housing, Physical Planning, Municipal Administration, and Urban Development said that by getting involved, their voices will be heard and their development needs prioritized.

Speaking in Kikuyu town during a consultative forum to deliberate and make proposals for the Municipal Plans FY 2024/2025, she emphasised that it is a constitutional right for every Kenyan to participate in public engagement forums.

The CECM stressed the importance of active participation by residents and noted that the consultation forums, set to run throughout this week, are designed to provide a platform for stakeholders and the public to voice their opinions, discuss critical issues, and propose innovative solutions.

‘In line with constitutional requirements, the municipal plans FY 2024
/2025 are being prepared through wide consultation from residents, stakeholders, and any other interested parties, this aims to cover various aspects of municipal planning, including infrastructure development, social services, environmental sustainability, and economic growth,’ said Ms Wainaina.

She explained that the forums will outline a comprehensive framework designed to address the various needs and priorities of the municipalities over the coming year and also provide a long-term development blueprint for the twelve municipalities by outlining goals, initiatives, and strategies.

The planning process is part of the second phase of the Kenya Urban Support Programme, a project funded by the government of Kenya and International Development Association and the French Development Agency.

The initiative seeks to transform the economy, create wealth and employment, reduce poverty and inequality, and create a conducive environment for investment in the municipalities.

Acting Chief Officer for Lands, Housi
ng, Physical Planning, Municipal Administration, and Urban Development, Martin Kangiri emphasised the necessity of public engagement to ensure that government projects align with the public’s needs and expectations.

‘Public participation is key in government planning to ensure that the projects implemented are what the public truly needs and will benefit them directly,’ he said.

Kangiri called on the public to heed this call and participate actively in these forums.

The exercise that began yesterday covered Thika, Githurai, and Kikuyu. Today the forums will be held in Juja, Ruiru, and Kiambu, followed by Karuri, Kabete, and Limuru on Thursday, and concluding with Gatundu, Lari, and Githunguri on Friday June 28, covering all twelve municipalities in Kiambu County.

Source: Kenya News Agency