One World Against Malaria Summit: Interfaith Action
What do Quincy Jones, UN Ambassador Dr. Susan Rice, the Sultan of Sokoto, Nigeria, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria, Rabbi David Saperstein, ExxonMobil, Tony Blair Faith Foundation, the First Ladies of Cape Verde and Mozambique, and 8-year old 
They are all acting together in the fight against malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.
Friday, I attended the “One World Against Malaria Summit” and heard from each of these leaders who are acting together to end malaria deaths by 2015. Presented by the UN Center for Interfaith Action on Global Poverty (CIFA), the event was the first of its kind, bringing together diverse actors from the worlds of faith, government, NGOs, the arts, and business. The event was led by UN Special Envoy Ray Chambers, and Ed Scott, Chairman of CIFA and one of the founders of DATA.
We can beat malaria. Bed nets to protect against malaria cost only $10 – and they provide “a night of sleeping in paradise,” as one attendee of the event described. Yet, it is estimated that 900,000 people around the world die each year from malaria – 85% of those are children under 5 in Africa. Yesterday’s event outlined the urgent, yet achievable goal of ending malaria deaths by 2015.
In a key-note address, Dr. Susan Rice, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, underscored the role of US leadership in ending malaria deaths, offering that it was in “American interests and American values.” She went on to highlighted President Barack Obama’s commitment to the fight through the President’s Malaria Initiative and its $1.2 billion dollar 5-year expansion.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also presented on a panel where she emphasized that this year’s World Malaria Day marks a critical milestone in the fight. Dr. Ngozi noted that a key element to achieving the goal of eradicating malaria by 2015 will be predictable, long-term financing from donors.
Many of ONE’s faith-based partners were involved in the event, including World Vision, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Episcopal Church, Islamic Relief, the Islamic Society of North America, and the Religious Action Center for Reformed Judaism.
I had a great seat and was able to catch some of the event on video. Enjoy these clips of Quincy Jones and the African Children’s choir:
-Adam Phillips
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