Wednesday, June 29, 2005

We interrupt this program for this important service announcement..

I'm sure by now, you have all heard something about this.  For those who do not know, here is the short version :)

What is The ONE Campaign?
ONE is a new effort by Americans to rally Americans – ONE by ONE – to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. The ONE Campaign is engaging Americans through a diverse coalition of faith-based and anti-poverty organizers to show the steps people can take, ONE by ONE, to fight global AIDS and poverty.

Why is The ONE Campaign needed?
Right now, the US government is making decisions about how much money to spend on humanitarian assistance next year and the UK is poised to lead the world’s wealthiest nations at the G8 summit next July. By joining the ONE campaign, we will show our leaders that we want to do more to respond to the emergency of AIDS and extreme poverty.

What is the goal of The ONE Campaign?
The ONE Campaign seeks to give Americans a voice, to ring church bells and cell phones, on campuses and in coffee shops, for an historic pact to fight the global AIDS emergency and end extreme poverty. We believe that allocating an additional ONE percent of the U.S. budget toward providing basic needs like health, education, clean water and food, would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation of the poorest countries.

Who founded The ONE Campaign?
The ONE Campaign was founded by Bread for the World, CARE, DATA, International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, Plan USA, Save the Children US, World Concern, and World Vision, and works closely with the National Basketball Association, Rock the Vote, and the Millennium Campaign.

The ONE Campaign is supported by Bill and Melinda Gates and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

How does ONE link to international agreements to fight poverty?
ONE links directly to the international effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. 1% more of the US federal budget would help save millions of lives and be a major commitment towards achieving the internationally agreed upon United Nations Millennium Development Goals. If it is delivered, we would achieve 0.35% of national wealth going to Official Development Assistance - half way to the international commitment to achieve 0.7%. Longer term, so long as we can prove the money is working, the goal is for the US to continue to increase effective assistance until it meets the international commitment to give 0.7% of the national wealth. This is an appropriate goal for ten years time, or 2015, the deadline for achieving the Millennium Goals.

Who has signed The ONE Campaign declaration?
ONE participants include celebrities such as Bono, lead singer of U2 and DATA co-founder; Dikembe Mutombo, NBA All-Star and advocate for Africa; Michael W. Smith Grammy Award winning Musician; Agnes Nyamayarwo, Ugandan Nurse and Global AIDS activist, and representatives of national advocacy organisations such as Bread for the World, World Vision, GLobal Health Council, The Better Safer World Coalition, DATA and many others.

You can do your part by sending President Bush a message to help.  The United States spends less than 1% on aid to foreign countries and Africa is in dire straits. 

Please sign the petition and pass the link on.  Without 'The Mother Country' ~where would we be? 

Click the link!  The One Campaign~add your voice.

Cat

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks Cat!!  I signed :)
*hugs*

Anonymous said...

I'm clicking, but it's only cause of Mutombo!  ;)~
..joking...joking.  Great cause and definitley worth the click!
xoxo~Bernie

Anonymous said...

Okay...I don't have to sleep with anyone, do I?  

Anonymous said...

And who is going to explain to Georgie, what our letters say and what they mean?

I'd love that job, I'd fuck with his head soooo bad. Dumbass.

Anonymous said...

I would love to but I am so busy right now, hardly have time to get to journals.  I work with AIM (Angels In The Media) to promote awareness about SIDS (aka - crib death) and right now is our fundraiser time.  Not to mention 5 other children, husband gone, moving etc...  My brain is on serious overload.  Remind me about this again later or I will check back another time.  E-mail me a link or just send me a reminder in a couple weeks when things calm down!!!!
Colleen