I seriously can’t believe Thanksgiving is only one week away. I’m usually pretty bad about taking time to reflect and be thankful, but that changed just 13 minutes ago.
13 minutes ago, I hit play on a stop-you-in-your tracks kind of video. It’s longtime ONE supporter Bob Geldof talking before a crowd of folks at the end of the UN Millennium Development Goal Summit in New York City early this September.
I know that doesn’t necessarily sound that exciting, but trust me on this one. It’s a must watch. It’s funny, powerful, hit-you-in-the-gut good. I’ve never seen anyone talk so powerfully about our journey in the fight against poverty — or leave me so inspired to want to do even more.
So, take a look for yourself. It’s a little long, but it’s guaranteed to give you goosebumps. And I’d love to hear what you think after you’ve taken a look. Leave a comment right below!
As world leaders converge on New York for the UN General Assembly meeting this week, ONE cofounder Bono writes today in his column for the New York Times that one test of the meeting’s success will be whether leaders recommit to the Millennium Development Goals, “possibly the most visionary deal that most people have never heard of.”
Bono writes of the many successes achieved in part because of the goals – from millions of lives saved from preventable disease, to tens of millions more kids in school – and calls on leaders to do three specific things: 1.) fully fund the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and the campaign to ensure no child is born with HIV by 2015, 2.) enact transparency legislation in Britain, the EU and across the G20 that echoes the recently passed US legislation requiring energy companies to report payments to government officials and 3.) better track world leaders pledges and progress against them, so we know what has been promised and whether it has been delivered.
Last week, Bono met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev while U2 was touring in Moscow. Russia recently reported its first polio case in thirteen years, and continues to experience high rates of HIV among certain marginalized populations.
Increased political leadership and funding from Russia is important for its own needs and to address these major health challenges globally.
Among other things, Bono and the president also discussed the critically important need to fight corruption and promote transparency, particularly in the extractives industry.
ONE and Bono recently fought hard to help pass legislation in the US that will increase transparency in the extractives industry by ensuring corporations have to report payments to governments for oil, gas and minerals. It is important that similar rules are passed in other world capitals as well.
Bono shared a quote from the day of the meeting, which I wanted to share:
“I was honoured to meet with the Russian President today. We talked about the effectiveness of the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria, which saves 4,000 lives a day and for which Product (RED) raises cash.
If this lifesaver is fully financed the world could stop any children getting HIV in childbirth by 2015, a visionary goal and a great opportunity for Russian leadership.
We also discussed the importance of fighting corruption as part of the effort to end extreme poverty, and I asked for the President’s advice on how to ensure the new energy sector transparency legislation our organisation ONE lobbied for in America, which covers all companies registered on the New York Stock exchange, could now spread to London, Moscow and other global stock exchanges.
He raised Russian leadership in agriculture and we discussed what more can be done to increase world food production, keep down prices and feed the hungry.
There are great opportunities for Russian leadership on all these fronts at the forthcoming UN and G20 meetings.”
Alterna-rockers and longtime ONE supporters Daughtry have been doing some major representing for ONE this past week — and we wanted to take the chance to thank them here on the ONE blog.
Although the band has a seriously crazy schedule filled with press interviews, TV appearances, gigs and all the trappings of fame and stardom, they’ve always found the time to express their commitment to ending extreme poverty and preventable disease.
And this week, celebrity gossip blog PopEater came out with an awesome multimedia story on a day in the life of Daughtry. Scrolling through the video and photos, we were absolutely psyched to see that lead vocalist Chris Daughtry sported a ONE band throughout the day.
Take a look at the videos and if you have the chance, send a Tweet to Daughtry and thank ‘em for supporting ONE.
As part of the “African Century” edition of The Globe and Mail this week, Bob Geldof sat down with David Berman to discuss Africa’s economic potential, and what the future holds for investors in the continent.
While guest editing The Globe and Mail this weekend, ONE co-founder Bob Geldof took a moment to record this message for ONE members in Canada:
Bob talks about why he and Bono guest edited the paper, the importance of the forthcoming G8/G20 summits, and why we need your help to put pressure on the politicians to agree action on maternal and child health, an essential issue in the fight against poverty.
It’s been a whirlwind few days in Toronto with ONE’s Bono and Bob Geldof editing today’s Globe and Mail, Canada’s paper of record, and turning the paper’s focus to Africa just as Canada prepares to host world leaders at the upcoming G8 and G20 summits. Late last night Bob wrapped the last headlines and stories and we made some final adjustments to the cover before it was sent to print. We think the final product is fantastic and hope you do too. The issue examines the question — will the 21st century be the African century? There are op-eds and news stories by and about a wide range of Africans from Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to Somali rapper K’naan. President Barack Obama responds to questions from Bono about US strategy in Africa. If you’re in Canada get the hard copy too –the red graphic cover is a keeper.
Having Bono and Bob edit the Globe has been a great opportunity for ONE heading into the G8 and G20 meetings in June. The leadership and staff at the Globe, from editor-in-chief John Stackhouse and foreign editor Stephen Northfield to the other editors, reporters, photographers and graphic designers were incredible partners and we’re so grateful that they were willing to take the risk to do something they had never done before.
The Globe and Mail has asked celebrated Kenyan blogger Ory Okolloh to guest edit the globeandmail.com today and over the next month and she will be featuring a great deal of Africa content exclusively through the website including this video of a question submitted by reader Sarah Kibaalya of Toronto in which she asks Bono and Bob if Africans need others to speak on their behalf. Their answers might surprise you. Check it out:
Also check out this live webchat between Bob Geldof and Ory Okolloh which just wrapped up.
We’ll be spotlighting more content throughout the day, so be sure to check back on the ONE Blog for more updates!
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