Warning--political: One Campaign

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otherworldlystuff

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Heya, guys and dolls.

I first heard of the 'One Campaign' in seeing the recent, Brad Pitt/Diane Sawyer interview. Knowing diddly-squat about Brad Pitt, but having superficial-news-Aniston thoughts in my mind, I didn't think further than the couple hours of crying while watching the people he was visiting in Africa. :(

I, again in just my humble opinion, think the 'One Campaign' site and goals are inspiring, though. Nelson Mandella's speech is, again IMO, true of true (and it made me think of nsweezi--in Norway). The summit is July 6th-8th. I'm working on e-mailing people. If you're curious, the site is here.
 
Thanks Steph!

20 years on since Live Aid, today (2nd July) see the Live8 series of concerts around the world - aimed at bringing pressure to bear on the worlds 8 wealthiest nations to <a href=http://www.live8live.com> do something positive</a> towards making poverty history.

BoB Geldof has again organised these concerts, and also called for marches etc in Edinburgh in advance of the G8 Summit.
 
Steph, I added my name to both the US and Cdn ONE sites awhile back after seeing an ad in one of my mags. Tremendous movement, and along with the Live 8 concerts going on this weekend worldwide, let's hope that
momentum will continue on this very worthwhile cause (and let's hope the
G8 leaders take notice).

Sue
 
No thank <i>you</i>, gals! I just added my 'voice' to the Live Aid site's e-mail campaign, too. Thanks, Margaret!
 
Didn't catch much of the US concert - the UK one was pretty good, and great to see Pink Floyd back together & performing again after 24 years!!

For me, the highlight had to be when they replayed the video footage shown at the LiveAid concert 20 years ago - the one with the "Who's gonna drive you home" soundtrack. The video ends with a close-up shot of a young girl virtually dieing in front of you.

Geldof then steps in, saying to those of you who think nothing can be achieved with all this - now meet that young girl!!!!
On walked a stunningly beautiful young woman - a true survivor! She stayed on stage with Madonna for a while.

This young woman lives in Ethiopia with her father, step-mother and 4/5 brothers & sisters - the whole family surviving on £30 ($60?) a month!!

Incredible - totally incredible. I can only hope that the G8 leaders are influenced in some way with all this. Things have to change - to read in today's paper that the western world currently gives more to subsidise a cow here than it does to subsidise a person in Africa - mindblowing!!!
 
I'm not trivialising the situation in Africa but I believe monies raised are usually squandered by the corrupt Governments so I have my doubts about alleviating African poverty in this manner. Also I would like to see action taken against poverty in the UK. Yesterday I passed a homeless person whom I gave money to. We also have such things as child prostitution and I have seen much degradation which is swept beneath the carpet in Great Britain. People please don't flame me for pointing out that we desperately need to get our house in order so that we don't have scandals such as OAPS unable to afford medical treatment and people choosing between heating or food or suffering toothache because they are unable to get a dentist. Nobody speaks out against this and nothing gets done.
Louise
 
Well, for the very reasons you give, yesterdays events weren't fundraisers - aimed more to bring pressure on the leaders of the 8 wealthiest countries to actually DO something, instead of ignoring a situation which continues to be out of hand. Perhaps a knock-on effect will be a differing approach even back at home, who knows.

I do appreciate the point you are making, as the old adage goes "charity begins at home" and you are quite right in saying so much aid has been lost to corruption - but taking into account life within a welfare/benefit state of a wealthy nation, I don't see it can be comparable to the desperate plight of folk in Africa and elsewhere.

And no flaming - civilised discussions are general based on differing viewpoints! ;-)
 
Poverty is always degrading whether a person is starving in Africa or without the decent necessities in the UK. Recently I saw an article where a man was left with a wooden peg in his mouth as the local dentists had all refused to treat his abcesses. This should not happen in a civilised country. I had cervical cancer which our NHS ignored, it was fortunate we had the money or I would be dead. This is a national scandal which is studiously ignored by the people of the Uk unless they personally suffer through the shortcomings of our society. I would also be interested to know how much the workers were paid to produce those Make Poverty History wristbands. It would be ironical if it was sweatshop labour.Unless Africa is taught to be self sufficient things will never improve for those people.
Louise
 
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