Actor Dennis Haysbert Named Global Spokesperson for Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership

SILVER SPRING, Md., April 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, a nonprofit organization that brings educational opportunities to underserved schools and communities around the world, announced today that critically praised actor Dennis Haysbert has been named global spokesperson. As global spokesperson for the Partnership, Haysbert hopes to increase public awareness of the Global Education Partnership as it celebrates its 10th year.

The Partnership is a charitable organization dedicated to using the power of television to provide information to children and communities in underserved areas throughout the world. In its first ten years, the Partnership succeeded in reaching over 540,000 children through 194 school- based Learning Centers in Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and Romania.

"It is an honor for me to represent Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership as its global spokesperson," said Dennis Haysbert. "Having seen the impact of the Partnership's work firsthand, I believe more than ever in the power of television to make a positive difference in people's lives."

Gail Ifshin, Executive Director, Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership said, "We are thrilled to have Dennis Haysbert represent our organization. He is passionate about educating children and has a special interest in South Africa -- where the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership first launched ten years ago. We look forward to working with Dennis to inform more people about the Partnership and our goal of bringing educational resources to schools and communities that need them the most."

The Partnership establishes locally managed Learning Centers and makes a three year commitment to work alongside each community to develop a sustainable media center that meets local educational needs. More than 95 percent of the Learning Centers launched by the Partnership continue to successfully operate on their own and serve their communities after the three- year training period

Over the next three years, the Partnership is committed to raising 15 million dollars in order to provide a window to the world for at least 1 million students and train 7,500 teachers to maximize the value of television as a tool for learning.

Haysbert is widely recognized for his role of President David Palmer on 24 and his current role as special-forces commander, Jonas Blane, on the hit CBS drama The Unit. Haysbert plays the role of Nelson Mandela in Goodbye Bafana, an upcoming movie about Mandela's friendship with one of his prison guards.

About Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership

Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization dedicated to reaching across the global information divide with the tools and training necessary to extend the power of educational television to underserved communities around the world. Please join us as we celebrate a decade of making a positive, sustainable difference in peoples' lives through education in Africa and Latin America.