An Exciting Movement to Fight Global Poverty

Billy Graham, Brad Pitt, Rick Warren, Bono, Michael W. Smith, Michael Stipe...

What do these disparate public figures have in common?

They're all part of The ONE Campaign to end global poverty.

This is not a political movement, although it is an effort to convince political leaders that we all need to get serious about preventing poor people from starving to death.

We have the capacity to help the world's desperately poor out of the anguish that so many endure. How do we do it?

First, we all commit ourselves to the basic ONE Campaign declaration:

“WE BELIEVE that in the best American tradition of helping others help themselves, now is the time to join with other countries in a historic pact for compassion and justice to help the poorest people of the world overcome AIDS and extreme poverty. WE RECOGNIZE that a pact including such measures as fair trade, debt relief, fighting corruption and directing additional resources for basic needs – education, health, clean water, food, and care for orphans – would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the poorest countries, at a cost equal to just one percent more of the US budget. WE COMMIT ourselves - one person, one voice, one vote at a time - to make a better, safer world for all.”

Second, we join millions of others in signing an email to President Bush that you can find on The ONE Campaign web site. It reads as follows:

Dear President Bush,

Because:

* ONE billion people around the world live on less than ONE dollar a day;
* The US government spends less than ONE percent on overcoming global AIDS and poverty;
* Citizens are uniting as ONE across political and religious divides to support action to overcome the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty.

At the G8 leaders meeting on July 6th we urge you to:

* Help the poorest people of the world fight poverty, AIDS and hunger at a cost equal to just ONE percent more of the US budget on a clear timetable;
* Cancel 100% of the debts owed by the poorest countries;
* Reform trade rules so poor countries can earn sustainable incomes.

We urge you to lead an historic deal with other nations to help Africa and the poorest nations overcome global AIDS and extreme poverty. Together as ONE, we can Make Poverty History this July.

Sincerely,
You, Your Email Address, Postal Code, and Country

In the Old Testament, God instituted Jubilee Years in which creditors forgave the indebtedness of all who owed them money.

What a spark to economic development and goodwill declaring a Jubilee would be today! In purely selfish terms, it clearly would be beneficial to America and establish a firm foundation for the US economy in the future, fostering the creation for US goods and services in places that currently can't afford them because of their debt.

But beyond selfish considerations, it's just right. We can set generations free of poverty by the actions in The ONE Campaign program. That's why people like those listed above and millions of others have endorsed its aims.

So, please click The ONE Campaign link right now and start playing your part in ending global poverty. You'll be glad that you did!

[To learn more about The ONE Campaign, clock here.]

UPDATE: Tod Bolsinger and Rob Asghar have both linked to this post. Tod became a signer himself. I hope that you will do the same!