Bono's U.S.-based anti-poverty groups to merge

[babylonsister]

Bono's U.S.-based anti-poverty groups to merge
Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:30pm EDT


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Anti-poverty groups the ONE Campaign and DATA, both co-founded by rock star Bono, will merge in the United States to form a single organization in tackling poverty, especially in Africa, officials said on Monday.

The new organization will be known as ONE in the United States and will include the ONE Campaign's 2.4 million members, a U.S.-based project launched in 2004 to build citizen support to fight disease and extreme poverty.

Outside the United States, DATA -- or Debt, AIDS, Trade Africa -- will retain its name and focus on debt cancellation, AIDS treatment and more effective development assistance.

"ONE and DATA are two organizations with the same outrage: extreme, stupid poverty in the 21st century makes no sense when the resources and technology exist to do something about it," Bono said in a statement.

more...

http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN2953856520071029

[NMMNG]

1. He's right

extreme, stupid poverty in the 21st century makes no sense when the resources and technology exist to do something about it,"

There is no reason for it to exist.

[DangerDave921]

2. Of course

There is no reason for poverty to exist in Africa, being an incredibly rich continent. But when there are dictators running countries, there is suppression of economic freedom, and there are corrupt governments, it is difficult for enterprise to take hold and succeed.

Before there can be economic success for the people, there has to be freedom and laws and property rights. Does Bono challenge dictators to give freedom to people?

[wuushew]

3. No one has ever shamed a dictator into reform

do you have any examples?

Also the Chinese lack certain freedoms and property rights but that hasn't stopped decades of double digit growth.


Bono knows what he is doing.

[DangerDave921]

4. Not shame

But highlight with a loud voice the corrupt governments that allow their citizens to be oppressed and starved.

As for Bono knowing what he is doing, I guess 20 years as a rock star makes him well-qualified to address the issues of world poverty, economics, and political strife.