Look To The Stars News: ONE Campaign

ABC News Supports Million Moms Challenge

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:30:00 +0000

March Of Dimes is joining ABC News and the United Nations Foundation in the recently launched Million Moms Challenge.

This first-of-its kind initiative is connecting millions of Americans with millions of moms in developing countries around the world to engage on the critical issues of pregnancy, childbirth and children’s health — moms here helping moms worldwide.

Since its launch on September 19th, 2011, the Million Moms Challenge has built a vibrant community that connects moms across the globe by using the latest social media strategies together with world-class broadcast and digital news platforms to shine a light on the extraordinary challenges faced by mothers and babies in the developing world.

Glee Stars Cover Do They Know It's Christmas For Charity

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

In the spirit of the holiday season, Glee will donate 100% of the net monies from the sales of their version of Band Aid’s 1984 hit “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” to The Band Aid Trust.

The Band Aid Trust, a registered British charity since 1985, has raised in excess of 190 million dollars to support projects designed to make a lasting difference in Ethiopia, Somalia and surrounding countries in East Africa. This includes the construction of schools, hospitals, boreholes, wells, rain-water harvesting facilities and latrines, as well as food security, hygiene, sanitation, livelihood diversification and income generating activities, training in-country for teachers, doctors and nurses, assistance for those living with HIV/AIDS, and emergency interventions such as nutrition screening programs, seed and animal distribution and the procurement of emergency food aid to treat severely malnourished children and adults.

By July 1985, over $6 million had been spent on buying and transporting food, shelter, medical supplies, water equipment and other essential items to famine victims Ethiopia and Sudan.

Irish Tenor Performs Tribute To US Armed Forces

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:00:00 +0000

On October 20, the Embassy of New Zealand in Washington DC hosted its second-annual musical tribute to America’s armed forces, featuring world-renowned tenor Anthony Kearns, hosted by the ONE Campaign.

The reception, “A Special Musical Tribute: US Military members, Their Families and Their Legacies,” honoured two of the nation’s premier military charities, the USO of Metropolitan Washington and the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Fund.

New Zealand Ambassador Michael Moore commented, “The Embassy was delighted to host this musical tribute with the ONE Campaign for two noble American military causes—the USO and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. We’re so pleased that the talented Anthony Kearns was able to return for an evening of music in support of America’s military families. I could not have imagined a more perfect evening.”

Irish Tenor To Perform At New Zealand Embassy For ONE Campaign

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:30:00 +0000

The Embassy of New Zealand in Washington DC and the ONE Campaign will host “A Special Tribute to U.S. Military Members, Their Families and Their Legacies,” Thursday, October 20, 2011, from 6-8 p.m. Featuring a special performance by world-renowned tenor Anthony Kearns, the invitation-only ticketed Embassy gala will benefit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) and the USO of Metropolitan Washington.

This will be Kearns’ second performance at the New Zealand Embassy to benefit the USO. Last year, New Zealand was the first Embassy to host a charity gala for the USO’s Wounded Warrior Program. It is the first time that the Embassy is teaming with the ONE Campaign to honor American military forces.

New Zealand Ambassador Mike Moore said New Zealand is proud to host the charity benefit for the USO of Metropolitan Washington and the VVMF’s effort to build the Education Center at The Wall; a place on the National Mall where military heroes’ stories and sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Bono And Celebrity Friends Lead PSA Against Famine

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:29:00 +0000

Bono has recruited some of his celebrity friends – including George Clooney, Jessica Alba and Joe Jonas for a new charity PSA aimed at raising awareness about the famine in East Africa.

“Drought, violence and political instability have invited in the grim reaper on a scale we have not seen in 20 years… more than 30,000 children have died in just three months,” he writes in The Huffington Post. "The pictures from Dadaab look like a nightmare from centuries past. Yet, this is the 21st century and these pictures are real and, on the whole, unseen. The food crisis in the Horn of Africa is nothing short of a humanitarian catastrophe, but it is getting less attention than the latest Hollywood break-ups and make-ups.

“ONE’s new film The F Word: Famine is the Real Obscenity isn’t a typical emotional emergency appeal. It’s about focusing the media spotlight on the tragedy unfolding. It’s about building political support in the US and around the world for interventions that will stop the suffering today and break the cycle of famine in the future. Most of all, it’s about taking action — because famine is man-made.

K’naan Returns Home To Help Fellow Somalians

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Rap artist K’naan left his home in Canada last week to return to Somalia, the country his family left in the early ’90s during civil war and famine. Today, due to what the UN is calling the worst drought in a generation, the country is suffering yet another famine.

“It’s very difficult for any Somali to be feeling this immense situation and to not be able to do much from afar,” K’naan said in an interview with CNN in the lead up to his first visit back to Mogadishu. Musician and activist Bono joined K’naan in the interview with journalist Anderson Cooper.

“You can blame droughts on God,” said Bono “but famines are manmade. We know exactly what to do and this shouldn’t be happening. The Somalis are a very sophisticated people. For twenty years now they’ve had no real government. I don’t know how they’ve survived. But the famine is really the wake up call for all of us. If we make a safe passage for aid, I do believe the aid will be through. We [at ONE Campaign] hold those politicians that make promises accountable.”

Celebrities Call On World Leaders For Urgent Horn Of Africa Funds

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:00:00 +0000

A group of global artists, activists and business leaders have signed a joint letter urging world leaders to step up their response to the famine in the Horn of Africa. They call on them to act “without reservation, prevarication or equivocation” when they meet at an emergency summit in Rome.

Among the signatories are Annie Lennox, Bob Geldof, Simon Cowell, Richard Curtis, Stephen Fry, Eddie Izzard, Kristin Scott Thomas, and representatives from charities such as Oxfam, the ONE Campaign, Comic Relief, CAFOD, ActionAid, Save the Children and many others.

“As we write, more than 11 million people are suffering the great agony of the worst famine in Africa for many years. It is incomprehensible that in 2011 anyone should die of starvation. $600 million* is needed now for our fellow humans. Not a great sum for the world, even in a time of great economic difficulty for some. Last week European leaders found over hundred times this amount to shore up the euro and bail out banks, yet countries like France, Italy, the Arab States and Germany have so far given miniscule amounts of money to prevent people dying from hunger. Surely this must be unacceptable? A true measure of strength is how one cares for the weak. A true test of power is how one protects the frail.

Matt Damon To Be Honored For Charity At Critics' Choice Awards

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:30:00 +0000

The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) announced today that renowned actor and philanthropist Matt Damon will be presented with the fourth annual Joel Siegel Award at the 16th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards. The ceremony will air live on VH1 on Friday, January 14 at 9:00 PM ET/PT.

Given annually, this special award pays homage to beloved “Good Morning America” film critic and BFCA member Joel Siegel, who lost his long struggle with cancer in June, 2007.

Bono Interviews Barack Obama

Tue, 18 May 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Will the 21st century be the African century? This is the question ONE’s founders Bono and Bob Geldof examined by guest editing one of Canada’s top newspapers, the Globe and Mail, as part of a month of Africa content on the Globe’s website.

During a previous interview with American President Barack Obama, Bono had the upcoming guest edit in mind when he posed some questions to include in the special edition. The Q&A looked briefly like this:

Bono: You’re going to be in Canada in June for the G8. It’s not straightforward to get eight people to agree on anything, let alone eight countries. What do you think you can achieve?

Christy Turlington Wants To Ring You To Talk Charity

Tue, 11 May 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Christie Turlington Burns wants to ring you this Thursday on behalf of the ONE Campaign.

The model recently traveled to Africa, and wants to tell you about what she saw and what it means for the campaign’s work empowering women around the world to fight poverty and disease.

Christy will take part in an interactive conference call, and all you have to do is supply your phone number and then answer the ring at 8pm (ET) on Thursday. She will be joined by ONE’s president and CEO David Lane, who will share news about ONE’s budget campaign, the Women ONE2ONE initiative, and programs promoting the health and well-being of African women and children.

Jessica Alba Takes 1GOAL Charity Campaign To Congress

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Jessica Alba was in Washington DC yesterday to campaign US Congress leaders to raise the standards of education in Africa through an Education For All Act.

Joining Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Alba – who visited Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and Mozambique last month with Bono – was representing the ONE Campaign’s 1GOAL initiative.

“I’m honored to join Congresswoman Lowey to announce the Education for All Act,” Alba said. “I traveled to Ghana, Senegal and South Africa with 1GOAL to listen and learn and see for myself the impact of education. I met children who work to support their families, but dream of going to school, and families who told me that providing an education for their children is their only way to beat poverty.”

Bono Makes Charity Trip To Kenya

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:30:00 +0000

Bono was in Nairobi last month for the Pan African Media Conference where discussions took place about various issues relevant to the continent, but most important to Bono were the discussions on development.

A long time activist for African human rights, Bono joined academics, other activists and media to discuss ways in which to get Kenya on its feet and stay there. Bono’s ONE Campaign is particularly interested in the continent’s entrepreneurs who have ideas on developing paths and projects to improve the lives of ordinary people.

Bono said, “I am one of those who believes in brand Africa, a better Africa for Africans,” allafrica.com reported.

Jessica Alba Blogs About Charity Trip To Africa

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Jessica Alba has just returned from a charity trip to Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique and Senegal with Bono and the ONE Campaign to learn about the 1GOAL campaign – and she has blogged about her experience.

“I had an incredible week, joining the ONE team on the road in Senegal and Ghana as part of the 1GOAL: Education for All campaign to make the lasting legacy of the upcoming World Cup education for every child,” she wrote on the ONE Campaign website. "I’ve wanted to travel to Africa my whole life and when offered the opportunity to listen and learn alongside ONE, it was a once in a lifetime chance that I couldn’t pass up. I’ve always admired the work ONE has done and being able to see the programs you’ve contributed to firsthand was inspiring.

“We met African entrepreneurs and academics, spoke with civil society and private sector leaders. We sat with street vendors at a microfinance project, heard from women now able to save their and their children’s lives through ARV HIV/AIDS treatment. We met some amazing people, a new generation of leaders for not only the continent, but for the world.

Matt Damon's Water.org Needs Your Help For World Water Week

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Today is World Water Day – and to celebrate, Matt Damon’s Water.org and the ONE Campaign want you to donate your voice.

World Water Day on March 22 is an annual initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. This year, all around the globe, a huge number of events are taking place to allow people the chance to be part of a world where EVERYONE can get clean water.

Water.org is inviting people to donate their Facebook and Twitter status for World Water Week. All you need to do is go to OneWeekForWater.org and with one click, Water.org and ONE will post updates on your Facebook/Twitter account to encourage your friends to get involved.

Justin Timberlake Tops Celebrity Givers List

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Justin Timberlake has been named celebrity charity earner of the year, outstripping favorites such as Bono and Oprah.

According to website The Daily Beast, the SexyBack singer raised $9.3 million for the Shriners Hospitals for Children in 2009. Second place went to Madonna, who raised $5.5 million for Raising Malawi, followed by Pamela Anderson ($4.8 million for PETA), Oprah ($4 million for Oprah’s Angel Network), and Bono ($3.5 for the ONE Campaign).

To read about The Daily Beast’s methods for working out the rankings, and learn the full top 50 – which also features Angelina Jolie, Rihanna, George Clooney and Salma Hayek – click here.

Bob Geldof Talks Climate Change In Copenhagen

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Veteran campaigner Bob Geldof is spearheading a petition for the ONE Campaign to be delivered to top members of the US delegation to the Copenhagen climate summit.

The petition calls for adequate resources to be provided to developing countries to cope with the effects of climate change.

“Last week I was back in Ethiopia, and the question I’m always asked is, of course, is it all worth it, what’s changed in Ethiopia and in Africa as a whole?” said Geldof. "A great deal, I answer – for both better and worse.

Twilight Stars Appear In Charity Video For The ONE Campaign

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:30:00 +0000

The ONE Campaign recently released a new PSA featuring Twilight’s Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Nikki Reed and Jackson Rathbone, Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester, Jessica Szohr and Ed Westwick, Heroes’ Hayden Panettiere, High School Musical’s Corbin Bleu, 90210’s Tristan Wilds, Star Trek’s John Cho and Tropic Thunder’s Brandon T. Jackson.

ONE, co-founded by Bono and other campaigners, is a “grassroots campaign and advocacy organization backed by more than 2 million people who are committed to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa.”

“Over the course of history…young people have made a difference, changed laws, broken barriers, and decided elections.”

Wyclef Jean And Bono Receive ‘Ripple Of Hope Award’

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer Wyclef Jean, and (RED) founder/U2 front man Bono, were honored this week at a ceremony thrown by The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, where each were awarded the ‘Ripple of Hope’ Award.

“As champions of justice, Bono and Wyclef have brought the national spotlight to human rights violations, empowered local activists, and transformed the lives of millions of people living in poverty from Port-Au-Prince to Darfur,” said Kerry Kennedy, founder of the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. “Their efforts evoke the spirit of my father and we are honored to recognize them.”

Jean was honored for his work to inspire change in his native country of Haiti through his Yéle Haiti Foundation.

Jessica Alba Blogs For 1GOAL

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Actress Jessica Alba was at the Clinton Global Initiative last week to publicize the 1GOAL campaign, which aims to ensure that the legacy of the 2010 Football World Cup will provide universal access to education for all children. And now she has blogged about her support.

“President Clinton convened his Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) annual meeting last week in New York City and I was fortunate to attend,” she wrote in the Huffington Post. "While there, I received a first class education, listening as some of the world’s brightest and most committed people argued and agreed on new ways to solve the most pressing problems, from global education to climate change. I spoke with activists, policy experts, generals, CEOs and everyday people working tirelessly at non-profits and NGOs in countries around the world. From them, I learned about ways we can all assist in reducing the obstacles to creating systemic change.

“I was part of a CGI commitment with 1GOAL: Education for All to talk about the 75 million children denied access to education around the world today. If you’re keeping count, that’s as if every school in the U.S. and Europe combined decided one day to close their doors. Joining Global Co-Chair Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, ONE co-founder Bono, FIFA and private sector leaders, I signed up to be US Co-Chair of 1GOAL and help work for a breakthrough on global education centered around the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Eunice Shriver's Charity Legacy

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Eunice Shriver – founder of the Special Olympics – has died at the age of 88.

The fifth of nine children and sister of John F Kennedy, Shriver led a life of service to the community that she handed down to her children. Her daughter, Maria Shriver, is the First Lady of California and is married to Arnold Schwarzenegger. She runs the annual Women’s Conference in California. Her son, Bobby Shriver, is well known for co-founding the organizations DATA (Debt AIDS Trade Africa), the ONE Campaign and (RED) with U2 lead singer Bono. Her other sons are also leaders in philanthropy: Timothy Shriver is the Chairman and CEO of the Special Olympics; Mark Shriver is the Vice-President and Managing Director of U.S. Programs for Save the Children; and Anthony Shriver is the founder of Best Buddies International.

Awarded the US Medal of Freedom in 1984, Eunice Shriver was a founder of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Center for Community of Caring in the 1960s. But it was her work with the Special Olympics for which she will be remembered. Her work with the disabled started early – In 1962, she started a day camp, known as Camp Shriver, for children with intellectual disabilities at her home in Potomac, Maryland. From there, she promoted the concept of competition opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Camp Shriver became an annual event, and the Kennedy Foundation (of which Shriver was Executive Vice President) regularly gave grants to universities, recreation departments and community centers to hold similar camps. In 1968, Shriver was approached to help fund a huge Olympic-style athletic competition for over 1000 people with special needs. The Special Olympics were born, and today it involves over 2.5 million in 180 countries.

Bono Talks World Hunger In Amsterdam

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:30:00 +0000

U2 singer Bono recently took time out from his current world tour to get up-to-date on global hunger by meeting with World Food Programme (WFP) head, Josette Sheeran, in Amsterdam.

During their meeting, Sheeran gave the singer one of the distinctive red cups which symbolize WFP’s ‘Fill the Cup’ campaign to raise funds to help the 66 million children in the world who go to school hungry.

Numbers Rising

Bono Writes About Obama's Visit To Ghana

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:00:00 +0000

ONE Campaign co-founder Bono put pen to paper for the New York Times last week about President Obama’s historic visit to Ghana during the weekend.

In the column, the U2 singer wrote about the relationship between the U.S. and Africa and about how countries like Ghana are challenging old stereotypes about Africa.

“No one’s leaked me a copy of the president’s speech in Ghana, but it’s pretty clear he’s going to focus not on the problems that afflict the continent but on the opportunities of an Africa on the rise,” wrote Bono in the piece titled Rebranding Africa, published prior to Obama’s visit. "If that’s what he does, the biggest cheers will come from members of the growing African middle class, who are fed up with being patronized and hearing the song of their majestic continent in a minor key.

Bob Geldof Launches One Campaign Report On G8

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:30:00 +0000

A host of leaders and stars helped launch the ONE Campaign’s DATA Report in London yesterday.

Bill Gates, Desmond Tutu and Bob Geldof all talked at the event, which launched the annual report that aims to measure the G8 against commitments made at their 2005 summit in Scotland. But the news is not good, revealing that France and Italy are performing so poorly that they are threatening to cause the G8 as a whole to default.

“It saddens me and angers me that great nations like Italy and France are going in the wrong direction,” said Archbishop Tutu of South Africa. “We must all campaign to encourage the forthcoming G8 meetings to do better and do what is right.”

Matt Damon Seeks Support With Petition

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Actor Matt Damon is encouraging people to join him in signing a petition asking senators to cosponsor the Durbin-Corker Water for the World Act of 2009.

The Act will help 100 million people gain access to clean water and sanitation by 2015, but currently needs at least 15 more cosponsors to move forward.

“On my trip with the ONE Campaign to Zambia, I walked two miles with a 14-year-old girl to a well—the closest water source to her village,” said Damon. "I asked if she wanted to stay in her village when she grew up, and her face exploded into a huge smile. The translator said, “she is being very shy…she says that she wants to move to big city, Lusaka, and that she wants to be a nurse.”

Be Published Next To World Leaders For The ONE Campaign

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:30:00 +0000

The ONE Campaign is giving you the chance to have your writing featured in a book alongside Nelson Mandela, Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Desmond Tutu and other world leaders, as well as Natalie Portman and Paulo Coelho.

In June, ONE and the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) plans to present a book called The Big Read to President Barack Obama, urging him to keep his promise to ensure children in developing countries have access to basic education through a U.S. contribution of $2 billion to a Global Fund for Education.

Contributions for the book come from children and adults who have struggled to gain an education; and local heroes who have helped make education possible for others. The book will be translated and distributed in over 100 countries, and will be used as a tool for promoting literacy and good quality, free and public education for everyone.