{"id":94320,"date":"2014-11-10T14:15:47","date_gmt":"2014-11-10T19:15:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.org\/us\/?post_type=one_press&p=94320"},"modified":"2014-11-10T14:15:47","modified_gmt":"2014-11-10T19:15:47","slug":"zombies-colin-farrell-uncover-a-trillion-dollar-scandal","status":"publish","type":"one_press","link":"https:\/\/www.one.org\/us\/press\/zombies-colin-farrell-uncover-a-trillion-dollar-scandal\/","title":{"rendered":"Zombies, Colin Farrell Uncover a \u2018Trillion Dollar Scandal\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

WASHINGTON \u2013<\/strong> Ahead of the G20 summit in Brisbane, Australia, The ONE Campaign released a new video<\/a> today highlighting the fact that at least a trillion dollars<\/strong> is siphoned out of developing and emerging countries through corrupt activity every year. We\u2019re talking about shady natural resource deals, phantom firms, money laundering, and illegal tax evasion.<\/p>\n

This video, produced by British creative agency, Don\u2019t Panic, <\/em>features a voiceover by Colin Farrell <\/strong>and uses zombies to make the point that anyone\u2014even a dead person<\/strong><\/a>\u2014can engage in the shady business practices that are short-changing developing nations by a trillion dollars every year. That\u2019s a trillion dollars that could be used on hospitals, schools, and infrastructure for millions of people trapped in extreme poverty.<\/p>\n

ONE\u2019s report, The Trillion Dollar Scandal<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, estimates that as many as 3.6 million deaths could be prevented<\/strong> each year in developing countries if these illicit flows could be stopped and the money collected were invested in lifesaving services where the need is greatest. Concrete action must be taken at this year\u2019s G20 meetings to end the secrecy that allows corruption and criminality to thrive.<\/p>\n

Eloise Todd<\/strong>, ONE\u2019s Global Policy Director, said:<\/p>\n

If money lost through illicit financial flows were harnessed and invested in lifesaving services it could save as many as 3.6 million lives. When G20 leaders meet in Australia next week, they should commit to common sense policies that crack down on illicit financial activity.<\/em><\/p>\n

Our new film, smartly produced by Don\u2019t Panic! highlights the absurdity of allowing bad policies that allow shady deals to go unchecked and corruption to thrive. The trillion dollars we\u2019re talking about isn\u2019t foreign assistance; it\u2019s money that could be spent on lifesaving necessities like health care, food security or essential infrastructure.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

ONE\u2019s new analysis also shows that if developing countries reduced levels of corruption, the additional money made available could:<\/p>\n