From February 21-23, over 100 of ONE’s activists from around the US gathered virtually to urge lawmakers to support ONE’s issue areas and enact change during ONE’s annual Power Summit.
During the summit, global poverty and health advocates met with congressional lawmakers to urge them to support global COVID-19 response funding, and support crucial global education initiatives. This year, our activists asked lawmakers to support at least $20 billion to fight COVID-19 globally.
Here’s more from this year’s Power Summit.
Going virtual for the first time ever
Each year, the Power Summit brings together activists from across the US to urge lawmakers to take action on ONE’s issue areas. The Power Summit provides an opportunity for members of Congress and their staff to pause and remember how we can come together to solve some of the world’s biggest problems.
Usually, seasoned volunteers and first-time volunteers descend on Washington and visit their senators and representatives on Capitol Hill.
But this year, the summit was completely virtual for the first time.
.@RepBuddyCarter, thanks for meeting with our @ONECampaign volunteers today to discuss the global response to #COVID19 and the importance of @GPforEducation. We’re grateful for your time! #ONEPowerSummit https://t.co/jmoh7apKon
— ONE in America (@ONEinAmerica) February 23, 2021
Thanks to Trent (@SenatorRomney) for meeting with us to talk about the world’s most vulnerable and how it will take $20 billion in global resources to help end this global pandemic! #ONEPowerSummit pic.twitter.com/b9emTKz9vg
— ONE in Utah (@ONEinUTAH) February 24, 2021
“This year marks our 14th Power Summit and for the first time in ONE’s history, the coronavirus is forcing us to move completely online,” Suzanne Granville, the senior director of US membership and mobilization at ONE, said. “COVID-19 has hit the world’s most vulnerable especially hard, and even though our advocacy has moved online, our work has never been more important.”
“While we couldn’t gather safely in our nation’s capital, we still hosted over 190 advocates for three exciting days of virtual trainings, conversations, and advocacy.”
Great meeting today with @RepConorLamb asking for needed funding for global response in the #COVID relief package and support of @GPforEducation #ONEPowerSummit @ONEinAmerica pic.twitter.com/R7Oos7GIq7
— Pastor Matt Staniz (@mattstaniz) February 23, 2021
Demanding global action
This year, our activists urged lawmakers to support global COVID-19 response funding and to support at least $20 billion to fight COVID-19 around the world, because a domestic-only strategy will not work and we need a global response to fight the pandemic now.
.@LindseyGrahamSC, thanks for meeting with South Carolinians today to discuss COVID-19’s impact on the world’s most vulnerable and how America’s health is directly tied to global health. #ONEPowerSummit https://t.co/VqUpnH9k3I
— ONE in America (@ONEinAmerica) February 23, 2021
Great to meet with @ckuritzkes from @SenJeffMerkley ‘s office to discuss the next COVID-19 relief bill and why we need to invest at least $20 billion to fight COVID-19 globally, including funding for proven health programs like the @GlobalFund and @CEPIvaccines. #ONEPowerSummit pic.twitter.com/Yyg3x0tmmt
— Sylvia Rendon 🇲🇽🇺🇸 (@PDXSly) February 23, 2021
“The longer this pandemic persists, the more likely it is that we’ll see more COVID-19 variants arise, extending the life of the pandemic. It’s in our domestic and global interest to extinguish this pandemic everywhere, fast, which will require a more coordinated global response and ensuring the world’s poorest countries have access to vaccines,” Tom Hart, the North America executive director for ONE, said. “That’s why Congress must invest at least $20 billion in fighting COVID-19 globally and President Biden’s proposed $11 billion is a key step towards that goal.”
Thank you @TSRtist, legislative assistant for @DebDingell, for meeting with us today to discuss global #Covid19 funding and going on record in support of the #GPE. It’s not just the smart thing to do, it’s the right thing to do! Thanks for “raising your hand”! @ONECampaign pic.twitter.com/UEw3gv1qGv
— Sarah DeFlon (@sarahdeflon) February 23, 2021
The asks were:
- Urging Congress to support President Biden’s request of $11 billion for international emergency funds in the current COVID-19 emergency funding.
- Requesting $150 million for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) in FY 22 appropriations.
And as with every year, ONE’s supporters were enthusiastic, informed, personable and ready to speak on our asks — and they gained a lot of attention!
As children around the world continue to deal with school closures and the difficulties of home learning, we must invest in education today in order to build a brighter future tomorrow. #RaiseYourHand #FundEducation @ONEinAmerica
— Senator Mike Crapo (@MikeCrapo) February 23, 2021
It’s a beautiful day! Great meeting w/Katie @CaptMarkKelly‘s office to discuss support of the GPE fund & the COVID-19 relief bill. We must invest & fight COVID-19 globally, incl. funding for proven health prgms like @GlobalFund @CEPIvaccines #ONEPowerSummit #RaiseYourHand for GPE pic.twitter.com/NycSGU9Tqc
— Amy B. Campbell (@amybcampbell) February 23, 2021
Thanks to Alex Krupnick, Legislative Aide, in Congressman @DonaldNorcross‘s office for meeting today to discuss how COVID-19 is impacting the world’s most vulnerable and the urgent need for $20 billion in global resources to help end this global pandemic. #ONEPowerSummit pic.twitter.com/oz3cDorImQ
— Barb Barrar (@barbiedoll869) February 23, 2021
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