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Bono meets President Calderón of Mexico
As the U2 360° Tour hits Mexico ONE’s co-founder Bono met with the Mexican President, Felipe Calderón, yesterday to ask him to take the lead in the fight against extreme poverty.
Next year is a huge opportunity for Mexico, with the country hosting the annual G20 summit, and ONE is asking for the fight against poverty to be central to the Mexican G20 agenda.
After the meeting with President Calderón Bono said:
“Next year Mexico will chair the G20, the annual get together of the most powerful leaders on the planet. Obama, Hu Jintao, Sarkozy, Merkel, Zuma, Dilma, they’ll all be flying in. By the time they fly out, we want them to have agreed specific decisions which we know will save and transform lives in the poorest parts of the world. As the host, President Calderón will set the agenda. I asked him to persuade the G20 to take bold action on the fight against corruption globally, on improving healthcare, and on boosting agriculture around the world.”
It’s a big ask and Mexico has terrible problems of its own particularly the violence that is ravaging parts of the country. But my experience here in Mexico is that people stand up for what they believe in and can’t stand things they don’t – such as children dying for lack of basic medications, or for lack of food, or from corruption, which is perhaps the biggest killer of all.
So when the world comes to Mexico next year, we’re asking Mexico to change the world.
Bono on Africa
On 15 February ONE hosted a dynamic discussion in Johannesburg on the role of transparency and technology in driving economic development. The ONE Africa Symposium 2011 featured several speakers in short, 10-minute presentations about ideas that will help shape ONE’s work.
After the event ONE’s co-founder Bono spoke to the Observer newspaper and answered their questions:
At the ONE symposium […] you said: “This feels like the future.” What did you mean?
We are all aware of our ancient pasts and this continent has a rich and extraordinary tradition. But the thing that excites me more is thinking about Africa’s future – as the continent of the 21st century. It’s one of the richest continents on Earth in terms of natural resources. If these resources are allowed to benefit the people above the ground, then they can pay for Africa’s future.
Africa is also rich in terms of its human resources, with such a young, vibrant population. We have this image of Africans being the poorest people on Earth, but Africa itself is so rich. That is what makes the affront of poverty all the more stark. And sometimes we do have to raise the alarm and call the fire brigade, like when Aids is ripping through parts of Africa, but it’s better if we can prevent the fire in the first place and build on the positives.
You listened to successive speakers talking about their ideas and the inspiration that was driving them. Then you said: “We have to change the story about Africa – or at least get out of the way of the real stories coming out of Africa.” What do you mean?
It’s about getting the balance right… a new entrepreneurial class here in Africa can find people like me irritating because we have tended to dramatise what is wrong with the continent to make things happen. But meanwhile they are making things happen and writing a new African story. Investment and private equity is booming in Africa. They’re excited. I’m excited. Things are changing. Ory Okolloh, who spoke at the conference, said that there was a new train leaving the station in Africa – and that people in the west had better get on board or they’ll miss out. This is the story, the train, that is coming out of Africa. We need to tell this story.
In terms of the story of Africa for the 21st century, we all need to be aware of the balance between growth and the remaining need for smarter aid.
Most people are saying that the 21st century will be China’s. You say that it will be Africa’s. Why?
Well, go talk to the Chinese. Why are they pumping so much investment into Africa? Why are they creating such a huge presence in Africa? They know where the future is. Ask them.
You know, these African lions are going to be a match for the Asian tigers. If the right economic plans are made and civic society can keep the vision honest, it will make our interest irrelevant. I never felt so good to feel so useless. These African lions will put us out of business.
I look at Mo Ibrahim and, although he might be an elder statesman, I see him as the new voice of Africa. People like him, they are drowning out our voices and so they should.
And so the future of aid in Africa is?
We mustn’t forget that in general aid budgets are under threat, although thankfully not in the UK. And we mustn’t forget that people’s lives are dependent on it in the near term. And smart aid gets great results. A global alliance for vaccines has averted more than 5 million deaths this last decade and the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria saves more than 4,000 lives a day. It’s just about getting the balance right for the future and ensuring our smart aid today builds self-sustaining systems for the future .
And in terms of aid, let’s remember the good stories that came out of debt cancellation and the Gleneagles promises. Let’s not forget these success stories. In most cases, as verified by the World Bank, Africa’s governments spent that money wisely and pulled millions of people out of poverty and despair. And that has helped destroy the mythology that money is wasted.
But we mustn’t forget that there are concrete things we can do to speed Africa’s path to the future, things that don’t involve money. As part of the global grassroots Publish What You Pay coalition, ONE has lately been focusing on the extractive industries. We’ve seen the rush to extract oil, gas and minerals from poorer countries across the world. Our concern is how best to protect those countries and ensure citizens benefit. How to stop them going down the road of other countries suffering from the resource curse. How can you do that?
So the movement we’re part of lobbied for an amendment to a finance bill in the US last year, to make legally sure that companies that are taking resources out of Africa have to disclose what they pay governments for the right to do that.
Now we’re seeing leaders in Europe catching on, with Sarkozy telling me he’ll push this at the EU. We’re also looking for British leadership on this. Our mission is to make this a global requirement. So eventually there’ll be no place to hide, and civil society groups will be able to challenge their government if the money they are making from the nations’ resources isn’t being used in the right way. Mo Ibrahim has said that this deal is bigger than debt cancellation for Africa. I’m proud to support the “publish what you pay” campaign that has been leading this issue for years.
There was a lot of talk at the ONE symposium about “transparency and technology” helping to change Africa. Are they?
You know, I think “transparency” is just a different way of saying “justice”. And technology is helping people access this justice. That’s what we’ve always been about. ONE is not an aid-giving charity, this is not even really about aid – it is about justice. It has always been about getting justice – that has always been the driving force.
And looking at what has happened in Cairo, it’s clear that, in this new information age, people want justice. They don’t just want to be heard, but they want to be able to hear as well. They want to know what is being done in their name. The direction of information technology, with more and more openness, is good for everyone.
You have been coming to Africa and working here over the past 20 years. You hadn’t played South Africa since 1998. How did it feel?
Well, I said that it feels like the future. It was a big deal for me to be on that stage on Sunday night after working here on and off for 20 years. It is an incredible place. Many African cultures are a bit like the Irish – they enjoy and benefit from creative chaos being unleashed. The flexibility of Africa is a bonus for the sort of entrepreneurs and software kids who are creating the future. But don’t listen to me – listen to their stories.
New video: Bono at the World Economic Forum
Cheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s Chief Operating Office sat down with ONE co-founder Bono this weekend to discuss a whole host of issues including the work that ONE does, progress being made in the fight against extreme poverty, and how he got involved in the work of eradicating inequality. In the interview, he also notes the importance in fighting corruption, describing it as a “disease” — with transparency being the best vaccine against it.
Check it out:
President Sarkozy pledges to lead on transparency
Ever since the US passed legislation last July ensuring that all oil, gas and mining companies would have to be far more transparent in their financial reporting, we have been pushing hard for similar action in Europe. We want all extractive companies around the world to publish what they pay the governments of the countries where the operate – therefore empowering local anti-corruption groups with the information they need to hold their leaders accountable for revenue received.
This campaign received a big boost on the weekend with the publication of a letter from President Sarkozy of France to ONE co-founder Bono announcing that he was prepared to show leadership on the issue. Bono had previously written an op-ed for Le Monde calling for exactly that.
The English text of the letter says:
“In your article, you bring up the need for transparency in the area of natural resources’ extraction in Africa. I completely agree with you. France is organising an experts’ conference on this issue in March in Paris. As of now, I have decided to ask the European Union to adopt, as speedily as possible, legislation to compel industries in the extractive sector to disclose their payments to all countries in which they operate.”
So congratulations to President Sarkozy and his team for championing such an important issue. Transparency campaigners across Africa will now be looking to you to carry this forward – and ensure that the wave of transparency reform does not lose momentum.
Bono on the MDGs in the New York Times
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.
You can read Bono’s full column here.
We love Italy
I wanted to give everyone an update on how our cheeky online game “Hurl Berl” is doing. The response has been incredible. So far it has been played 1.7 million times by 435 thousand people. And it’s only just over 1 week old.
The game has also created some good debate and discussion on the ONE blog, facebook, twitter and beyond.
One thing the ONE team really want to clear up is that WE LOVE ITALY. The game is just a bit of fun aimed at a political leader who didn’t keep his promises, not at Italy itself.
But it has a serious message, which is that political leaders shouldn’t make promises to the poorest people on the planet and then do nothing about them. That’s what Prime Minister Berlusconi has done. The game is a criticism of his policies, not of the wonderful country he represents.
You can read more in an article from last year about Italy by ONE’s founder Bono here and in English here.
Bono and Bob Geldof guest-edited Globe and Mail out now
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!
Behind-The-Scenes Video at The Globe and Mail
Tomorrow’s edition of the Canadian newspaper the Globe and Mail will be guest-edited by ONE co-founder Bono and ONE activist Bob Geldof — and the paper is already hitting the ground running with this awesome behind-the-scene video.
As the video points out, tomorrow will mark the first time the Globe and Mail has ever been guest-edited, and also the first time Bono and Bob Geldof have ever guest-edited a North American newspaper. Check back soon for more great extras.
Bono and Bob Geldof to guest-edit The Globe and Mail
Cool news. Next Monday, 10 May, ONE co-founder Bono and our great supporter Bob Geldof will edit the Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail as part of the run-up to Canada’s hosting the G8 and G20 global summits in June, where Africa will be on the agenda. It’s an amazing opportunity for ONE and a great chance to get the word out about the progress being made on the continent today, and about the strategic importance of Africa, not just to the 1 billion people living there, but to the rest of the world as well.
ONE is working closely with Bob and Bono on this project, as we have in the past when they edited other leading publications around the world, including Asahi Shimbun in Japan, The Independent in the UK, Bild in Germany, and La Stampa in Italy.
The special edition will feature content and commentary from African political leaders, business owners and grassroots activists; it will also include contributions from other well-known international political leaders and advocates.
“I’m a huge fan of great journalism – I can’t wait to show up for work at The Globe. Our aim in this special edition is to crack down on a few stereotypes and showcase the opportunities surrounding the African continent, not just the problems,” said Bono in The Globe and Mail press release issued last night announcing the project.
“The world will be coming to and looking at Canada this June. The older and the emerging economies will be once again be struggling to learn the new 21st century dance of cooperation and possibly even compromise, and this time under Canada’s leadership. The Globe and Mail, one of the world’s great papers of record, has, in a mad rush of blood to the head, agreed to let two Irish pop-singers edit their august journal for one special day, one special edition. It will be dedicated to that huge, emerging resource continent of Africa and the global necessity of coming to terms with its opportunities and obstacles. I’ve gone from being an old editor of the Vancouver Georgia Straight to the new editor of The Globe and Mail and it’s only taken 36 years! Now that’s a career trajectory,” said Geldof in the same release.
The Globe and Mail is inviting readers to send in their video questions for Bono and Geldof. Video questions should be sent via their website by 6 May. Select questions will then be chosen, and answered by the guest-editors online during the month of May.
So send your questions in!!
We’ll have more on this exciting development when the special edition is published on Monday.
Bono on Africa’s Reboot
ONE co-founder Bono has a new column in today’s New York Times, “Africa Reboots,” that follows a listening and learning trip Bono and other ONE board members recently took to Senegal, Ghana, Mozambique and Kenya. Bono writes about the unexpected harmony he heard between business leaders and activists on the issue of poor governance, and about some of the brilliant people we spent time with along the way who are rewriting the rules of the game on the continent.
Bono writes:
It’s no secret that lefty campaigners can be cranky about business elites. And the suspicion is mutual. Worldwide. Civil society as a rule sees business as, well, a little uncivil. Business tends to see activists as, well, a little too active. But in Africa, at least from what I’ve just seen, this is starting to change. The energy of these opposing forces coming together is filling offices, boardrooms and bars. The reason is that both these groups — the private sector and civil society — see poor governance as the biggest obstacle they face. So they are working together on redefining the rules of the African game.
…
Aid, it’s clear, is still part of the picture. It’s crucial, if you have H.I.V. and are fighting for your life, or if you are a mother wondering why you can’t protect your child against killers with unpronounceable names or if you are a farmer who knows that new seed varietals will mean you have produce that you can take to market in drought or flood. But not the old, dumb, only-game-in-town aid — smart aid that aims to put itself out of business in a generation or two. “Make aid history” is the objective. It always was. Because when we end aid, it’ll mean that extreme poverty is history. But until that glorious day, smart aid can be a reforming tool, demanding accountability and transparency, rewarding measurable results, reinforcing the rule of law, but never imagining for a second that it’s a substitute for trade, investment or self-determination.
To read the entire column click here.
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About the Blog
The International ONE Blog is a daily log of the anti-poverty movement. The site is operated by ONE staff, with guest contributions from ONE volunteers, members and allies.
The content of each post and each comment represents the views of that author and does not necessarily reflect the views of ONE. ONE does not support or oppose any candidate for elected office, and any post expressing support or opposition for a candidate is not endorsed by ONE.
TAGS: Bono, G20, Mexico, ONE, U2 360° Tour