Our Scotland - www.our-scotland.org

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from - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4246252.stm

One of Scotland's wealthiest tycoons has joined forces with former US president Bill Clinton in a drive against global poverty.
Sir Tom Hunter has pledged an initial $100m (£60m) to The Clinton-Hunter Development Initiative to support developing communities.

Mr Hunter said he wanted to help countries "gain a foothold on the first rung of the development ladder".

The former US president said he was "excited" by the scheme's potential.

The CHDI will initially identify two countries to take part in a pilot programme to assess and improve their education system, health, infrastructure, agriculture and offer entrepreneurial support.

Local communities will help form and implement the action plan to combat poverty and improve prosperity.

Sir Tom said: "This is about enabling developing communities, empowering them to define and deliver the solutions that best fit their needs.

"We hope many others will join us in the CHDI in playing a part in ridding the world of the silent, malevolent horror that is poverty."

Sir Tom and Mr Clinton signed the CHDI agreement in Scotland last week and the former US president said he was confident the initiative would prove successful.

"I commend Sir Tom Hunter and his foundation for this generous commitment toward the alleviation of poverty," he said.

"I'm excited about this commitment and the approach it takes toward the destructive issue of global poverty and I am looking forward to working closely with Tom."

The Hunter Foundation was set up by the former Sports Division tycoon and his wife in 1998 to invest in enterprise and educational initiatives aimed largely at children.

Obviously wants to be a modern day Andrew Carnegie by the sounds of it.