International
We Have a Winner!
Last month we did something we’ve never done before. We asked ONE members to design a new T-shirt. At the time, we had no idea what to expect, but your response was nothing short of staggering.
ONE members from around the globe submitted more than 500 designs, our expert judges selected 3 finalists and more than 58,000 of you voted for your favourite. And now, we have a winner in ONE’s Next Top T-shirt challenge.
The winning T-shirt design, seen below, came from Valerie Strecker of Slidell, Louisiana, USA and it’s available for pre-order in black and white, and in both men’s and women’s styles from the ONE Store.
As Chalya Shagaya said in the email kicking off this contest, “What we wear says a lot about who we are…The right design has the power to go even further, and spark a global conversation. It starts with “I love your shirt, what does it mean?” and ends with greater awareness of the role we can all play in ending poverty and disease in some of the most vulnerable places on earth.”
Hopefully this T-shirt, and all the other great stuff available in the ONE Store, can play a small role in starting that conversation. Because we know the power of your voice in the fight against global poverty, and now we also know the power of your creativity.
A big thank you to everyone who submitted a design. We’re all inspired by your talent and commitment. Also, to our judges who had the very difficult task of choosing our two runners-up: Alex Robbins and Danny Hass.
The design is being printed right now on our new, made in Uganda, 100% organic, fair-traded cotton T-shirts and they’ll be ready to ship in just over a week. The shirts come in black and white, and in both men’s and women’s styles and they make great gifts. Don’t wait, get yours today.
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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.
19/11/2009 at 11:06 am
I am a little disappointed that we have gone with the Africa design – poverty is a global issue not just in Africa. Or is ONE just about eradicating poverty in Africa?
19/11/2009 at 6:18 pm
I just want to say that I do belive is a good design, but if we focus on what we don’t want we are only going to bring more of the same. What I mean is, if instead of saying ‘join the fight against extreme poverty’ we used something positive, that did not center the energy on what we are trying to dissappear ( in this case, poverty), we would bring more of those positive forces to our side. If we remember what Mother Teresa said: “I shall never go to a concentration against war. When you make a concentration of peace, then invite me.”
Much luck,
–S.Q.
19/11/2009 at 8:04 pm
All I want to say at this point is that I totally agree with Sabina. I have learnt this both in Eastern philospohy, Tao and Western Philosophy. Instead of the word “fight”, lets use the word “Join”
19/11/2009 at 8:05 pm
The shirt is the Bomb men………
19/11/2009 at 8:25 pm
Hi,
on one hand, I totally agree with Rupi Nandra, but on the other hand the design is great and from the three in the final round it was the best in my opinion.
Concerning “fighting poverty”. I totally agree that we should build a partnership for development, which is important. (Therefore I also work in the Fair Trade movement.) On the other hand, also this approach is included in the GCAP strategy as I am one of the national coordinators of the Czech “Czechia against poverty” campaign, part of the GCAP.
I would say – think globally and make the change happen.
Tom
19/11/2009 at 8:27 pm
Totally agree…”JOIN US FOR PROSPERITY”…much better. Maybe for ONE next t shirt…ok? Regards, success and peace…
19/11/2009 at 8:48 pm
World Peace is a Greater Challenge
19/11/2009 at 9:06 pm
hey, Everywhere such situation is world-wide. Europe, Azia, Africa.
I am from Poland.
19/11/2009 at 9:10 pm
Poverty is a global problem not just an African problem….There is way to much fighting in this world and not enough crusading. That particular design was my least favorite as it didn’t encompass a global perspective. An empty belly is an emtpy belly regardless of proximity….
19/11/2009 at 9:19 pm
Anybody surfing here is undoubtedly the type of person who fully understands and appreciates Mother Teresa’s comments referred to by one of the Commentators. Similarly they know that the West has much to learn from the Eastern philosophies as is hinted at by another Commentator.
So yes, ‘one’ hopes that ‘ONE’ will take account of all of these Comments. And maybe the next competition will have the theme of ‘positism’. That’s fine.
But humans respond to many stimulii and, perhaps unfortunately, a call to arms will often produce a stronger reaction in such a species as ourselves. So I think that there is room for both approaches – and so let’s hope that the competition organisers get a good reward for their efforts in terms of T-shirt sales etc.
As for the Comment about there being too strong a focus on Africa, I would again invoke the attributes of the human animal. We often work better when we are able focus on one particular item. So if the T-shirts get people interested in finding out more about ONE activities (even if the image is only depicting one of them), more strength to your arm, say I.
Of course I thought my own entry was far and away the best!
Best wishes to one and all and apologies for the pun.
Hey, where’s my PREVIEW function …
19/11/2009 at 9:25 pm
As I mentioned in responding to the first mailing I received about this T-shirt, I really want to believe in this project. However, the current efforts by the Ugandan government to make homosexuality a capital offence and to make it a requirement that anyone who knows someone is gay must report this to the police–this makes it impossible for me to support buying a T-shirt that is made in Uganda. That’s because I, too, believe that what you wear says a lot about what you believe in.
19/11/2009 at 9:27 pm
Yes it is global… and yet Africa is brave enough to be the first to set battle with poverty. i believe everyone has seen its picture how they surviving the famine.
19/11/2009 at 9:37 pm
I don’t know why they have voted for Africa’s design, poverty is not just Africa while we know mostly is there but when we are talking about oneness then we can not disregard others.
19/11/2009 at 9:39 pm
I do agree that Africa is not the only problem, and positivism might be a better approach. I think the ugandese cotton pluckers do not have anything to do with the uganses government and their cotton selling will help them to develop themselves wich will hopefully result in education and reflection about these political things like homosexuality being a capital offence. But if you are hungry politics are the least of your worries….
19/11/2009 at 9:44 pm
It’s nice that so many members have participated and used their creativity and Congratulations to Mrs Valerie Strecker of Slidell, Louisiana, her design for the t-shirt was my favorite one between the 3 final t-shirt design.
19/11/2009 at 9:50 pm
Disappointed. I am from Brazil and poverty here is a huge issue. ONE represents and fights for the world as one, not only for Africa, although they really need help and deserve our respect and efforts. The design is great, but not for this cause.
19/11/2009 at 10:06 pm
I agree with the fact that poverty is world wide, not just africa! We are one world not just one continent!! It is a good design but not a design that shows that that probelm is a global issue.
19/11/2009 at 10:08 pm
I agree with Rupi, in addition to this:
1.Especially for the women’s shirt, the picture of Africa is small and the pattern may look messy.
2. There is not a straightforward slogan that you can see from a distance
3. I think that among the 3 designs this was the best, still I would have made an extra effort in the selection having the wider audience voting among 10 shirts.
19/11/2009 at 10:12 pm
Well done to all of the participants for your great designs, energy and creativity. My personal choice was for the global ball with the word ONE written in many languages.. This symbolised for me the oneness of the world and the issue. I agree with the above comments that words are powerful and they need to be positive. Perhaps Freedom and Prosperity for all? Keep up the good work.
19/11/2009 at 10:13 pm
Yes, i perfectly agree! NOT FIGHT POVERTY…. JOIN FOR PROPERITY and abundance!
There is enough for everyone in this planet. If only we share….if only we care. Then our action should be proactive. Not reactive. We care while one is alive. We have poverty in the Philipines too. But we have so much. The problem is many are taking so much wihc is more than enough of what they need. SELFISHNESS. While others are suffering. ALSO…so much corruption. Thats the real problem. The effect is poverty.
Thanks.
19/11/2009 at 10:31 pm
Can we not look at this a the first of more to come and incorporate the comments and suggestions for a series of shirts? As long as the cost is reasonable I know we will continue to get our message out to the rest of our communites.
My congratulations to the artist who designed this one and I hope to be able to congratulate others as their works are presented.
19/11/2009 at 10:34 pm
I totally agree with Rupi and Bernadette – isn’t it a little shallow to narrow this problem down to the extent that one must say that only Africa suffers it? Some of the worst poverty I have witnessed has probably been in South America, but I seldom see any pictures of poor starving Brazilians in ‘anti-poverty’ campaigns. Also the multi-lingual t-shirt was better…it would have reached a wider audience! Sorry, clearly a bit of a language nut here. ^_^
19/11/2009 at 10:42 pm
Just to make the oupoint clear….you’ve focused on the need to resolve africa’s problems…in this time of age…you should have focused on the solutions to the problems…
…nice try…bad choice…keep on…
19/11/2009 at 11:08 pm
I agree William. It would be good to have a series of T Shirts and that way people have more choice about how they support the notion of ONE.
19/11/2009 at 11:30 pm
Hey people, the decision is made, get behind the action. Let’s be positive here, there is enough negativity everywhere, we join in this sort of action to create a positive outcome.
19/11/2009 at 11:37 pm
I feel compelled to write in again, before this tirade about Africa gets out of hand. It would seem that many commentators have not read the ABOUT section which can be accessed from the Home page. This is what it says:
ONE is a campaign and advocacy organisation with more than 2 million members committed to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa.
Do you see those last three words?
Calm down folks.
20/11/2009 at 12:06 am
First…congrats to the designer, but I have to agree with Rupi. I,m from latinamerica, and the design leave so many places where people leave in extreme poverty. Sorry Mr_Toad maybe you joined ONE to help Africa, and that’s admirable…but “particularly” does not mean “only” and I want to help also my own people… maybe I am in the wrong organization, because I though it was an effort to help prevent poverty worldwide that is my mistake not anyone else…anyhow keep the good work!!! what is important is to help where is needed… my best to all.
20/11/2009 at 1:14 am
I’m totally agree with this design. Very simple and interest
20/11/2009 at 1:24 am
Hi,
I did not choose that design and i agree poverty is not just “particularly”.
But if the design is the winner. I have to agree. That the rules.
Thanks.
20/11/2009 at 1:38 am
well, i agree with hally that this design is simple and nice too. but this design is visualizing the idea of poverty VERBALLY. too much words to represent poverty [and africa in this case].
20/11/2009 at 1:40 am
I AGREE WITH EVERYBODY BECAUSE ALL SAY TRUE THINGS.
I’M FROM MEXICO AND EXTREME POVERTY IS HUGE HERE, THE DESIGN IS GREAT BUT I CANNOT WEAR THAT T-SHIRT IN MY COUNTRY. PEOPLE MUST THINK THAT MY CONCERN IS FOCUSED IN AFRICA. I’D PREFER A GLOBAL DESIGN.
I AGREE 100% WITH MOTHER THERESA BUT IN THIS CASE I PREFER MORE IMPACT IN THE MESSAGES: FIGHT AGAINST EXTREME POVERTY!
WISH THE BEST FOR EVERYBODY BECAUSE IF YOU’RE HERE IS BECAUSE YOU’RE DIFFERENT AND TRAYING TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!
WARMEST GREETINGS FROM MEXICO!
20/11/2009 at 1:41 am
Excelente Diseño…!!!Realmente han quedado muy bien. Espero sea del gusto de mucho de los miembros…Gracias
20/11/2009 at 3:01 am
this design was chosen by one member from all around d world..it’s no.1 choice..it means that many (more) one member that like the design..so why we are debating about the design? if this situation is continuing, not wonder that we never arrive to our destination..due to we are too busy with our self, with our intern..take care about “small thing” such t-shirt design…
20/11/2009 at 3:23 am
Congrats to the winner. There was a lot of effort on it and the message was clear so i picked the winner’s design. But i am a little surprised at first to see that there’s very limited designs to choose from and that eliminates the people’s chance to be represented.
I have read the comments here and agree with every single one of them. I just thought that maybe, although i am not totally with it, we can’t really afford to have to many choices at this time. If we voted to be represented, it’s gonna be a “fight” against each other to have the help we needed in our own countries rather than joining the fight where the most desperate country need our help. Let’s cut these people from ONE some slack. They are trying so hard to make a difference here. Let’s make it easier for them to do so. Let’s just hope the time would come that more people would be educated and be aware and act up so the action would really go global and simultaneous.
20/11/2009 at 3:34 am
I do not see any difference between the 3 final designs, they were almost identical, so it did not matter for which one you voted, they were the same. Why they did not chose different styles for more variety?
The designs were so obvious, uncreative, and simple…. nice but no original, no groundbreaking…
Good idea with great intentions, but poor selection… were the rest that bad?
20/11/2009 at 3:36 am
COOOOLLL…!!! I AGREE…
, but i think all of design is full of creative, and maybe the other design can put on other merchandise.
20/11/2009 at 3:54 am
cooll i like’s
20/11/2009 at 4:02 am
I am not agree with you, sorry. I believe it looks like we must take care ONLY for Africa, when people is around the World.
It is kind of fascist and racist.
This is my opinion, please respect it.
20/11/2009 at 4:02 am
@Rupi, Bernadette, Steph and Samantha
From the About section on this very site:
“ONE is a campaign and advocacy organisation with more than 2 million members committed to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. Cofounded by Bono and other campaigners, ONE is nonpartisan and works closely with African policy makers and activists. “
20/11/2009 at 4:08 am
To be honest I am having much difficulty in accepting to encourage Ugandan human rights violations to support poverty. With so many countries affected by poverty, ONE had to choose a country with one of the most repressive regime on the planet to supply their t-shirts.
Without human rights there will always be poverty, of mind and body…
20/11/2009 at 4:13 am
I don’t surprise your shirt. I don’t remember your design shirt. I hope your design shirt great.
20/11/2009 at 4:50 am
I also agree with Rupi Nandra about the focus being on Africa but I can still see the sense in it – I probably wouldn’t know enough about ONE to back that opinion up with any substance, though.
Congratulations to the winner – it is a very bold, clever design. I think the style of the text inside the silhouette of the country gives the shirt an almost “news bulletin” appearance. It projects the seriousness of the cause nicely.
Again – CONGRATULATIONS and well done to everyone who put time and effort into such a noble cause.
20/11/2009 at 5:16 am
I voted for this design because it instantly tells people (who have never heard of the ONE campaign) what our cause is about. Most people have never heard of “One” or who we are. Hence if they were to glance at the other T’shirts they would not have a clue what we are on about. People are so busy today they don’t have time to stop and think about what a picture means. There is too much visual stuff bombarding them already.
This T shirt is an add to get more people who don’t know interested in our cause. It’s not really an add for us One-ers because we are already fighting the cause.
20/11/2009 at 5:36 am
I love that winning t shirt, of the three it was the most attractive design. Pity that Africa only continent on it, now that i read the sad comments about poverty being on other continents too. Hey, Africa is the the poorest and are representing all the other over exploited abused poor citizens in the world. But next time a tshirt is designed, make sure to include all the other places. I think the design is great and we must FIGHT poverty. Using The word “Join”instead of fight is too meek and mild and wont get us far in the battle against greed. Fighting poverty does not mean getting ones machine gun out. It means roll up your sleeves and educate, lobby, create awareness and stick up for your rights. Hopefully Most people know that.
20/11/2009 at 5:58 am
I need to share with you one more thing I’ve just learned about the proposed legislation in Uganda. Not only will being be a capital offence and people required to report to the police those individuals they know to be gay but gay men and women who have HIV would receive the death penalty under the new legislation. As if they don’t have enough to contend with!
I URGE ONE to find a T-shirt supplier that is not Ugandan! No matter how beautiful the design on the t-shirts, those of us who are committed to human rights, need to get the message to the Ugandan government that people around the world are deeply offended by their proposed legislation.
20/11/2009 at 6:14 am
I for one, am an African. I will never wear a t-shirt that type casts Africa as the face of poverty. This is stereotypical and does nothing to advance the case of Africa or global poverty. The design must show povery for what it is. A global challenge, not an African situation.
20/11/2009 at 6:38 am
I see, esthetically the design is attractive, strong and militant. But the basic problem is that it has as the forefront negative messages, it pops up into your sight with the poverty, fight, message and all the psychologists around the world recommend the use of positive sentences, slogans or words. They will be much more attractive and people will set out their state of minds upon the positive radiance of the image. This will give us a positive feeling and a positive mainstream. Therefore I liked the other one, the continent with small links as “together”, “united” . Congratulations anyway for the designer, he/she is good.
From Romania
20/11/2009 at 6:38 am
I disasagree with those who think that the new design prtrays Africa as the face of poverty. Being an African, I feel that to think that way is to be in denial about the reality we must face. I think that the design does a good jon of capturing the essence of the one campaign. Well done guys…
20/11/2009 at 7:31 am
Congrats to Valerie Strecker. While life is difficult here, I know that ONE has blessed so many around the world and I believe that they will share their blessings with others such as the disabled and orphaned children of Kenya.
20/11/2009 at 7:42 am
I Agree with Sabina Quiroz. Concentrate in what we WANT not what we don’t want. WE ARE ALL ONE!!