Participants of  the ´IVI Golf Benefit 2007 ´ 

The IVI hosted ´The IVI Golf Benefit 2007´ at Sky 72 Golf Club in Yeongjong-do, Incheon on October 26. More than 160 people, including entrepreneurs, diplomats, celebrities, and professional golfers, participated in the tournament held under the motto, “New Vaccines to Save the World’s Children.”

The IVI has hosted this annual event since 2005. The golf tournament is aimed at increasing public awareness of vaccines and the IVI, as well as raising funds for its vaccine research. All proceeds went to the IVI to support its efforts to develop and deploy new vaccines for the world’s poorest children. Key donors to this year’s event include Contron Corp., Sky 72 Golf Club, SK Telecom, Kyung Nong Co., and KTB Asset Management.

The event was also sponsored by Shinhan Bank, Ace Membership Transaction, Daewon Housing, Solomon Mutual Saving Bank, GS Caltex, Korean Air, Sigong Tech, Yudo Co., Incheon International Airport Co., Nolboo Co., Philips Electronics Korea, Criology, Goldwin Korea, and Lerici. In addition, in-kind contributions were donated by Winenara, Orbis Interfashion, Samcheonggak, Dongah Otsuka, and Ssangyong. The event was also supported by the media companies J-Golf television, Arirang TV, the daily Joongang Ilbo and the monthly HEREN.

Dr. Cho Chang-hyun (from left), Chairman of Korea Broadcasting Commission;
Ms. Joanne Lee, IVI Special Advisor for Fundraising and Communications;
Dr. Joel Kuritsky, Deputy Director of the Pediatric Dengue Vaccine Initiative (PDVI);
and Dr. John Clemens, IVI Director-General, signal the kick-off to the IVI Golf
2007 Benefit on October 26.   

The event also included an awards ceremony, a reception, a charity auction and a charity bazaar for the IVI, which was hosted by 50 contestants of the World Miss University (WMU) Competition.

Each year since 2005 WMU contestants have been appointed as IVI Goodwill Ambassadors. They have participated in volunteer activities for the Institute, and have promoted the Institute in their home countries. Contestant Lorena Salgado from Spain said, “I’m not a scientist, but I’m very glad that I can still contribute to the IVI’s efforts to help the world’s children."

 
World Miss University contestants visit the IVI before attending the IVI Golf 2007 Benefit.

   
World Miss University contestants sell IVI cups and T-shirts at the charity
bazaar during the IVI Golf Benefit 2007. 

The World Professional Golf Association (WPGA) organized this year’s tournament as it did last year. Dr. Cho Chang hyun, Chairman of the Korean Broadcasting Commission, served as the honorary chair of the tournament, and Mr. Kim Moon-Young, Chairman of Contron Corporation, chaired the organizing committee for the event.

Ms. Joanne Lee, Senior Advisor for Fundraising and Public Awareness at the IVI, said, “Following the IVI’s 10th anniversary this year, we plan to develop the IVI golf tournament into a major charity event in Korea.”

Inquiries about the IVI golf tournament can be made to: Ms. Joy Sohn, head of fundraising, IVI (82-2) 881-1180, jsohn@ivi.int .