ONE Members

Last week, I attended–and filmed–ONE’s global poverty forum held at Hampton University in Virginia. The forum featured Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), General Ron Sconyers, who is President of ONE’s great partner organization Physicians for Peace, and ONE’s own Keren Dongo.

The discussion, which was well attended by students and community members alike, focused on a wide-range of all very timely issues, including: relief efforts in Haiti, President Obama’s FY2011 budget request for the fight against global poverty, the connection between development and security, and the importance of supporting good governance in Africa and throughout the developing world.

The audience was engaged and sharp; they asked some great questions on U.S. development efforts and specifically on the situation in Haiti. Even after the panel ended, the discussion continued as conversations sprang up throughout the room, ranging from policy questions to how people can get involved in effective advocacy.

Watch some highlights from the event here:

A quick reminder about this great opportunity today:

Young activists from around the globe will be calling in to hear the latest on the fight against malaria. They’ll join Ray Chambers, the UN Special Envoy for Malaria and a special celebrity guest who will share their personal and professional experiences and talk about ways that we can all get involved to put an end to this deadly disease.

To join in, dial 1-800-244-5901. Then enter the code 306483.

On Saturday I traveled out to Wheaton, IL to meet with a great group of long time supporters from DGAAN – the DuPage Glocal AIDS Action Network. DGAAN has been building passionate advocates in DuPage County, IL since 2002. Combining global and local, the term “glocal” symbolizes DGAAN’s awareness that the HIV pandemic needs to be addressed on both a local and global level. Saturday was the second annual World Day of Social Justice, providing a great reminder to everyone in attendance as to why we do what we do…the fight against poverty is not about charity, but about justice and equality.

Since it had been some time since a ONE representative met with DGAAN, I began by giving a brief re-introduction to ONE, explaining who we are and what we do. The remainder of my portion was focused on highlighting three initiatives ONE is focusing on in 2010, including the ONE Campus Challenge, Women ONE2ONE and ONE Sabbath. DGAAN is co-chaired by two women: Sr. Glenna Czachor, OSF, from the Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Office, Wheaton Franciscans and Dr. Sandra Joireman, Ph. D., Department of Politics and International Relations, Wheaton College. Needless to say, all three of these programs fit directly in with the work that DGAAN is already doing out in DuPage County.

A Policy Associate for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Pete Subkoviak, also presented at the meeting. Pete shared information on several legislative and advocacy initiatives here in Illinois as well as an update on the Illinois budget crisis and our state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). He also reminded everyone that the 2010 HIV/AIDS Lobby Days in Springfield, IL will be on March 16th and 17th.

Between ONE and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, the meeting definitely represented what DGAAN is working to achieve — “a network of advocates that strengthen the lifelines of hope, locally and globally.”

I look forward to working closely with DGAAN and all the wonderfully passionate individuals involved with the group.

“On the Border, By the Sea” isn’t just a slogan for this historical city in South Texas; it’s their acknowledgment of shared responsibility that accompanies a shared heritage with the global community. On Saturday, I witnessed that expression in action during a press conference celebrating their official proclamation as a city of ONE.

Here’s a brief slide show from the event:

Joining the ranks of 130 other US cities, including Dallas, Brownsville is working to get people involved in efforts that are fighting global poverty, saving lives from disease, putting children in school and increasing opportunity in poor countries around the world. The press conference was followed by a celebration event where local community, faith, business and elected leaders came together to sign a letter to be hand-delivered to their U.S. Congressman, Solomon Ortiz. Along with highlighting their advocacy work, the letter requests an in-person visit with the congressman to discuss ways they can support him as the U.S. keeps its promises to the millennium development goals.

Not surprisingly, that same morning Brownsville welcomed the new Mittie A. Pullam Elementary School into their community. In its mission statement, BISD acknowledges the importance of producing “well-educated graduates who can pursue higher educational opportunities and who will become responsible citizens in a changing global society…”

Lack of access to quality education is preventing millions of people from escaping the cycle of extreme poverty around the world. Most of the 72 million children still out of school are amongst the poorest and hardest to reach. More than half of them are girls. There couldn’t have been a more appropriate time to highlight the crucial role primary education plays in the success of a community, and the responsibility we all have to ensure every child has the opportunity to receive an education. In fact, it was Brownsville’s own Paulina Sosa, ONE member and sophomore at the University of Texas, who returned home to encourage her community to stand up and take action against extreme poverty back in 2009.

It’s exhilarating to witness the growing number of community leaders in the state of Texas who, like Brownsville, advocate for life-saving solutions to end poverty in our lifetime. If the spirit of Brownsville is any indication, we could see neighboring cities throughout South Texas join them in their advocacy efforts. We congratulate your leadership and we look forward to continuing our work with the city “On the Border, By the Sea.”

Pictured left to right: Cris Garza, Rotary Sunrise Member; Ruben O’Bell: Chief of Staff for State Representative Eddie Lucio III; Gustavo Morales, Catholic Diocese Representative; Connie Hensley, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; Gloria Miranda, UTB-TSC Representative, Dr. Enrique Escobedo, Brownsville Independent School District Board Trustee; Roscoe Mapps, ONE Regional Director; Paulina Sosa, ONE Brownsville Head Coordinator; Edward Camarillo, Brownsville City Commissioner; Ankjaer Jensen, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; Sergio Zarate, Community Liaison for State Representative Eddie Lucio III; Rose Gowen, Brownsville City Commissioner; Martin Arambula, Port of Brownsville Commissioner; Luis Cavazos, Past Rotary President; Pastor Brad Burkes, Brownsville City Chaplain; Charlie Cabler, Brownsville City

Wednesday night in a community at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia’s 3rd district, Congressman Bobby Scott discussed US development efforts in another port city thousands of miles away in Haiti, but close in spirit and thought, as concerned constituents gathered on Hampton University’s campus for a ONE panel discussion on global poverty. The panel also featured Brig. General Ron Sconyers of Physicians for Peace and Keren Dongo, ONE Sr. Manager of Community Engagement. They discussed the immediate need for humanitarian relief in earthquake-ravaged Port-au-Prince and also relief in the broader context of long-term commitments to development in Haiti and the poorest countries in the world.

While applauding Americans’ swift and generous response after the natural disaster in Haiti, Congressman Scott was quick to remind us that “global health and poverty are important every day, not just in times of crisis.” He added, “We must find a way to translate our concern for humanity into sustained policy efforts that will strengthen the global community and lead to a safer and healthier world.” The congressman emphasized that helping the poorest countries in the world lift themselves from extreme poverty is not only a moral imperative, but in our own national security interest.

The panel echoed this sentiment and asked the audience to continue their advocacy to fight poverty and preventable disease throughout the developing world. Hampton University students immediately responded with plans to start an OCC chapter on campus! Watch out, Power 100! More news from HU, including video of the panel discussion, to come!

Next Wednesday, February 17th, Representative Bobby Scott (VA-3) will partake in a panel discussion on extreme poverty and preventable disease, as well as his work in Haiti. He’ll also discuss what our leaders in Washington are doing to end the worst suffering in the world today.

This will be a great opportunity to gain greater insight into what’s going on on the Hill, and how we can all work with our elected officials to end extreme poverty. Details below; RSVP to attend here.

When: Wednesday, February 7th, 6:00 PM
Where: McGrew Towers, Hampton University, 24 Indian Road, Hampton, VA 23668

Yesterday afternoon I had the privilege to visit Capitol Hill and have a meeting with Kate McGregor, the legislative director of my congressman, Eric Cantor. I live in Richmond and absolutely love coming to DC – although the slip-sliding-away snow-and-sleet drive up on Tuesday night was a bit less ideal – and even though this was not my first visit to the Hill, I never cease to have a sense of awe. I was born and raised in The Netherlands, and will be sworn in as a US citizen February 17 – and yesterday it hit me: this will now be my government, these are my representatives, and I have a voice. I head up a small non-profit in Richmond, I have worked in refugee camps and orphanages in Asia, and I have a passion for making poverty history. 2000 kids die of malaria every day – a disease that is preventable. 200,000 dead in Haiti after last month’s earthquake. How can we NOT be involved? There are over 4000 ONE members in Virginia’s Seventh District alone – together we can make a difference.

When Lauren Conn from ONE and I walked into Congressman Cantor’s office and connected with Kate I quickly realized that Kate and I had met before, in a similar advocacy meeting last April. So in effect we continued the conversation we started back then. Our main “ask” this time was for Congressman Cantor to support the proposed increase in the foreign affairs budget for FY2011. It was an excellent conversation, and I was able to share some of the poverty relief initiatives I am involved with in the Seventh District. We look forward to working with Kate and Congressman Cantor in the future, and hopefully host him at a ONE-event in Richmond.

To find out how you can make a difference, go HERE.

I joined ONE because I’m a mom. I saw what other mothers go through in developing countries, the difficult decisions they have to make and their incredible strength. I could only imagine how I’d feel in one of their places.

ONE is starting a new initiative called “Women ONE2ONE”, and it’s all about women taking action and connecting with each other to fight poverty. With every voice we add, we can help send another young girl to school, help an HIV-positive expecting mother keep from passing the virus on to her baby, and help another woman find the courage to speak out against oppression and corruption.

I’m asking you. Raise your voice today for a woman who can’t.

Please take a few moments to watch and share this video that tells my story, and join us at Women ONE2ONE to bring voices to women so they can lead lives of promise:

When you share this video and pledge to take more actions in the future on behalf of women, you’ll become one of the founding supporters of Women ONE2ONE. Together, we’ll reach a million supporters. The voice of one woman in a village far away might not be heard by world leaders. But they can’t ignore the demands of one million women. Be the first, or the hundredth, or the millionth, but please be a part.

The concept is simple. Join one million women to raise our voices and demand the things we know make a difference: putting kids in schools, enabling women entrepreneurs, allowing women to run for office.

Add your voice. I’ve added mine. Tell your friends to add theirs. Click here to pledge your voice.

One million women’s voices. Imagine what we can get done.

Sincerely,

Rochelle Gibbs, ONE Member

This past weekend’s Power 100 concluded today with Campus Leaders from across the country meeting with their respective Members of Congress and their Staffs.

I had the opportunity to join students from Pennsylvania and meet with some of the Staff from Senator Robert Casey and Arlen Specter. We made sure both Staffs understood our appreciation for the Senators’ continued support of life-saving programs like the Global Fund and PEPFAR. We also thanked them for being Co-sponsors of S. 624 the Paul Simon Water for the World Act.

The highlight of the day without a doubt, however, was when the students passionately requested both Staff Members to urge their Senators to support the President’s request for the International Affairs Budget! I was thoroughly impressed and inspired to see these motivated ONE Members emphasize the importance of development and poverty reduction as vital components to our national security.

Today’s meetings went extremely well and I was very proud to have such well informed advocates for the world’s most vulnerable sitting next to me!

On Wednesday, ONE members in Winter Park, Florida gathered at Rollins College to talk about President Obama’s State of the Union Address. The conditions in Haiti seemed to be at the top of everyone’s minds and conversations.

But, as the President reflected on 2009 and spoke about U.S. goals for 2010, what stood out to this group is the need for greater bipartisanship in order to increase America’s global leadership on development issues. In 2010, we look forward to continuing to work across party lines here in Florida and around the country as we advocate for efforts that save lives, fight disease and strengthen our national security.