Update: Bono addresses global leaders on hunger, agriculture and transparency at pre-G8 symposium
UPDATE: For those who may have missed Bono’s remarks, you can check out the full video right here:
Amid a flurry of public officials, business and NGO leaders and African heads of state at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs‘ Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security, ONE had one of it’s own represented: our cofounder Bono.
Bono just finished up a speech which covered everything from global agriculture to foreign aid to transparency in the mining industry. In the context of the day’s events, his remarks were a call to action to everyone in the room, urging us to work together to help lift 50 million people out of poverty.
“The conversation has changed,” he said. “Aid is smarter. It’s finally dawning on most of us that the continent that contains the most poverty also contains the most wealth… Imagine a place bursting at the seams with gold, copper, oil… undeveloped arable land. Not to mention the human resources.”
Bono praised President Obama’s new alliance to promote agricultural growth in Africa, which was announced earlier today. “If the words of his speech are turned into bold action in partnership with the developing world and the private sector, then today was a real moment,” he said.
He did not shy away from acknowledging the harsh economic realities that many governments face today, bringing up the EU’s 0.7 percent ODA target, which is currently under threat. He also said that international development, like music, can be subject to the whims of fashion. “Hunger was boring, even unsexy, in some quarters,” he said. “But it’s not boring if you live in the Sahel right now.”
It was an inspiring speech overall, but I think he summed it up best with this quote: “The moment we’re all working for is when we make aid history.” We couldn’t agree more.
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20/05/2012 at 6:41 pm
By no means being critical, but I was a bit disappointed ONE –and in particular one of its co-Founders — wasn’t a bit more vocal on the “Ethiopian Dilemma”. By any measure, the progress Ethiopia has demonstrated in food security and overall economic development in the past 2 decades is remarkable. But on the other hand the government’s track record with journalists and limit’s on freedom of expression have been shameful. Of all people, Bono’s earned the right to speak out on behalf of the importance of free expression. Where”s the public voice from ONE saying development without freedom is wrong. Why was the opportunity to call for the release of imprisoned Ethiopian journalists overlooked. If I understand correctly, one such journalist –Mr. Eskinder Nega — is about to be (or has been) sentenced to death. If there ever was a time to go off script and remind global leaders why imprisoning writers, rock stars and poets is wrong, last Friday seemed like a good one.
21/05/2012 at 2:44 am
Freedom of speech belongs to all of us, and I’m loving seeing the internet making bold inroads into the global conversation, like the tweets to David Cameron today as he flies back to London, and the blogs, comments and posts that contribute to the conversation.
I believe it is through this that we will end hunger and poverty, because in our hearts we all want it.
It is a revolution in progress, that we are seeing, and the outcome will be the end of hunger and poverty!
Africa is leading the way, Bono is spot on as usual
and its sooo gooood to hear:
“The G8 has just announced a bold commitment to food security that tackles the root causes of hunger and extreme poverty…And our voices were heard. As President Obama’s chief negotiator said yesterday, “I’m regularly reminded by my friends from the ONE Campaign that great promises are one thing, but keeping them and proving they are kept is equally important.” [quoting Michael Elliott]
21/05/2012 at 5:48 am
Sorry Michael but I am not so in favor of the hunger solutions that are being pushed and supported by big Ag.
Their tactic is to make African farmers more dependent and not self sufficient. Big Ag is only going to make African farmers more dependent on genetically modified seed and imported fertilizers and create larger farms and less employment. Next they will grow valuable crops for white people that will be exported into the EU and beyond which is not going to benefit local farmers. Big Ag will only offer the farmers low prices while they make the lions share by off-farm processing and marketing through their existing supply chains.
It sounds good and noble to talk about solving hunger problems but funding by multinational corporations will only make Africans indentured servants. It is similar to what is happening in the U.S. You have to buy their GM seeds.
The solution to hunger is to support small scale local farmers and their local economies. If you read other studies not funded by multinationals you will see that supporting local small scale initiatives from seed saving to water development to housing makes the most sense culturally, environmentally and in terms of long term self sufficiency and truly solving hunger one community at a time.
Please wake up. Obama is only serving multinational corporations that contribute to his campaign. Just like Bill Gates supporting Monstanto’s GM technology. Guys like Bono are dupped into thinking that pontificating about hunger will actually make a difference.
Get out of the way and let local communities develop their own solutions.
Jeremiah Ridenour
Founder-CEO
Wise Solutions, Inc.
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21/05/2012 at 10:13 pm
I’m a big fan of Bono’s work and was a big ONE campaign supporter. However, once I learned ONE’s connections to Monsanto – I tuned out. I will no longer support ONE as long as they are on side with Monsanto.
Bouke,
Toronto, Canada
22/05/2012 at 2:46 am
Interesting comments on agriculture. Ideally, I think it would be best for all countries to produce their own non-hybrid seeds, and food, and forsake gmo…I’m not sure it is sustainable given population growth combined with the climate fluctuations we’re seeing. If anyone can point me to credible studies, I’d be thankful.
And..what is this supposed connection between ONE and Monsanto? I can’t find any affiliation.
Even if there were, I wouldn’t support the kind of cynicism that automatically assumes greedy ulterior motives, that kind of thinking keeps us firmly locked in this dark period of world hunger and poverty.
26/05/2012 at 7:46 am
Beyond the conversations, what is most debilitating, frustrating and even discouraging about the Bonos of this world occupying the podium of our existence is the fact that this renders invisible my African humanity. Do you see us? Do you hear us? Do you see that in front of you there is a person? Don’t try to solve the tragedies in my reality, don’t try to act as if there are no tragedies in your reality. The presumption of philanthropy is an attempt to command my gratitude, which becomes an affirmation of the superiority and power of the Bonos of this world. It is the eradication of the history of my effort, my dreams, my achievements, anything that has not been mitigated by self appointed and imposed prophets. I am fascinated by the images that One uses–never ones of African strength or joy. Never anything that speaks of joy or of love. Poverty and anguish is not the sole preserve of the African. I would find One more useful if those involved dared to reveal their own fragilities and anguish. One, Bono, can you see the person in front of you? Can you hear a person, and not a project? This is not a call to condemnation, it is a cry of frustrated friendship. As long as One only sees a problem to be solved, and not a human being to be discovered and to be connected with, the capacity for the growth of heart is paralysed. And that is true sorrow–for my African self.