Meet Ben Palafox

Feb 3rd, 2010 5:47 PM UTC
By Brie O'Keefe

ONE’s recent screening of Invictus, the new film by Clint Eastwood (which recently bagged Oscar nominations for both its stars, Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon), was an opportunity to reflect on the huge opportunity that the upcoming football World Cup in South Africa presents to reinvigorate the global fight against poverty through the uniting power of sport.

ONE member Ben Palafox was also there, having won our contest to attend the screening. Originally from Canada, Ben is currently a researcher at the London School of Hygiene working on malaria drug access. Ben has worked and travelled abroad extensively, most recently in Nigeria.

Ben first became involved with ONE when researching Project (RED), ONE’s sister organisation. “I was attracted to the way ONE reaches out to people who aren’t necessarily activists and helps them to learn about important global issues. I’ve also seen the impact of ONE’s campaigns – the unique combination of high level celebrity endorsement combined with millions of supporters is a powerful combination.”

Ben’s commitment to poverty and development issues comes originally from his experiences as a 1st generation Canadian coming from a Filipino family.

“I was one of the lucky ones – my family emigrated from a developing nation to a first world nation and I feel I now have the opportunity to give back. ONE’s work helps generate awareness about development in a really important way – and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

And what was his favourite part of the film itself? “The intimate portrait of Mandela – he’s not someone you think of needing to shave or brush his teeth!”

Ben with South African football captain Aaron Mokoena at the screening.

TAGS: 2010 World Cup, ONE, ONE Members