In
four short years, the Festival has grown into the largest, most visible
moment of a year-round movement to ending extreme poverty by 2030. That
was in
full display last night as world and business leaders, non-profit
organizations, and socially conscious artists united in response to
nearly two million actions taken by global citizens,
which resulted in 27 announcements and commitments, set to affect the
lives of more than 92 million people.
The
2015 Global Citizen Festival saw leaders from 13 countries come out in
support of new Global Goals to end extreme poverty, reduce inequality
and tackle climate
change.
The
60,000 global citizens attending the free-ticketed event were feted
with headliners and special guest performers including, Pearl Jam,
Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Ariana Grande,
Common, Tori Kelly, Sting and Sunidhi Chauhan. The Festival finale saw
Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, and Beyoncé performing together for a
momentous rendition of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song.”
WE ARE NOT A GENERATION OF BYSTANDERS: GLOBAL CITIZENS UNITE IN RALLYING CRY TO ACHIEVE GLOBAL GOALS. WORLD LEADERS RESPOND.
– Following campaigning by
global citizens, the 2015 Global Citizen Festival sees leaders from 13
countries come out in support of new Global Goals to end extreme
poverty, reduce inequality and tackle climate change.
– Specific commitments made on
sanitation, health, hunger, education, and girls and women are set to
affect lives of almost 100 million people by 2030.
– Performances by Pearl Jam,
Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay, with special performances from Ariana
Grande, Common, Tori Kelly, Sting and Sunidhi Chauhan.
– Hosts included Stephen
Colbert, Salma Hayek Pinault, Deborra-Lee Furness and Hugh Jackman,
Kerry Washington, and Olivia Wilde.
New York, NY, September 27, 2015
– On Saturday, September 26, the 2015 Global Citizen Festival was held
on the Great Lawn of New York’s Central Park. The Festival saw world and
business leaders come together to commit to the newly launched Global
Goals for Sustainable Development. It featured performances by Pearl
Jam, Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay, with special performances from
Ariana Grande, Common, Tori Kelly, and Sunidhi Chauhan. The 2015 Global
Citizen Festival coincided with the new Global Goals for Sustainable
Development, adopted by 193 countries at the United Nations on Friday,
September 25.
Approximately
60,000 global citizens attended and millions watched live throughout
the day through broadcast partners MSNBC and YouTube. A one hour
broadcast special based on the Global Citizen Festival will be aired in
more than 70 countries in the next week.
Since
2012, the Festival has been the largest, most visible moment of a
year-round movement of global citizens committed to ending extreme
poverty by 2030. This movement combines the action and voices of
millions of citizens, the efforts of non-profit organizations, the
anthems of socially conscious artists, and the commitments of world
leaders.
Global
citizens took more than two million actions in the months leading up to
the Global Citizen Festival, leading to the 27 announcements and
commitments that were made from the stage. These commitments are set to
affect the lives of more than 92 million people, and will be used by
global citizens to hold governments and businesses accountable to
deliver on their promises in the years to come.
WORLD & BUSINESS LEADER MESSAGES IN SUPPORT OF GLOBAL GOALS
United States, President Barack Obama
“When
so many still live in extreme poverty and chronic hunger, when so many
mothers still die from childbirth, when so many children still die from
preventable diseases—that’s a moral outrage. It’s a profound
injustice. And we have to come together, as one world, to realize the
change we seek. Today, we’re setting new Global Goals, and every
nation, every sector, every government, every citizen has to do our
part.”
United States, Vice President Joe Biden
“Everybody
in the world is entitled to be treated with dignity. No time in the
history of the world has it been harder to hide injustice…I see a sea of
global citizens. We can change the world, we really can, you can. At no
time in history has so much power been available to make such a
difference for so many people. I refuse to believe that we’re not going
to try.”
United States, First Lady Michelle Obama
“Right
now, more than 62 million girls worldwide are out of school. As I’ve
traveled around the world, I have met so many of these girls, and they
are so bright and so determined to make something of themselves… These
girls are our girls, and I simply cannot walk away from them. Today,
along with Girl Rising, we’re announcing a new campaign called 62
Million Girls – and we’re asking you to get on Twitter or
Instagram…share a photo of yourself…and tell the world what you learned
in school using the hashtag #62MillionGirls.”
United Kingdom, Prime Minister David Cameron
“To
fight poverty we need lots of things. We need to end corruption, we
need to end conflict, we need to make sure the medicines are there, we
need to make sure that kids can go to school, but we also need to make
sure the money is there, the resources are there. Britain is the only
major country in the world that has kept its promise of spending 0.7% of
our national income on aid, and that is absolutely vital. We need other
countries to meet that pledge, to meet their promises, because these
were promises that we made to the poorest people and the poorest
countries in the world.”
India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
“There
is a need to liberate our world from the curse of poverty. My
government is committed to eliminate poverty. To me, it means creating a
condition where every individual is able to realize his or her
potential. The time has come for nations and governments to show resolve
in tackling this challenge. I’m committed to dignity and freedom from
poverty for all. This is my mission and this is your mission. Let us
work together. This will make our world a better place to live.”
United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
“In
your faces, I see a world of possibility. You are the first generation
that can end global poverty. You must be the last generation to tackle
climate change before it is too late. And I’m proud that you are the
most determined generation to fight injustice. The global goals for
sustainable development are a promise from your leaders. Hold them to
it. Demand that they deliver. Stand up, tell everyone, stand up for
justice. Stand up for dignity. Stand up for a better world. Take your
passion and compassion – and let’s make the global goals a global
reality.”
World Bank, President Jim Yong Kim committed to lead efforts to lift an additional 20 million out of extreme poverty in the next 12 months.
“At
the World Bank Group, we go to work every day to end poverty by the
year 2030. Even with the slowing global economy – despite terrible
conflicts and disasters – we expect that 80 million more people will
lift themselves out of extreme poverty by next September.
If
we work together to grow our economies, invest more in education and
health, and protect people from disasters, we can make this number go
from just 80 to 100 million lifted out of poverty next year. We accept
this challenge, at the World Bank Group. Push us! Demand more from your
leaders! We shouldn’t suffer from a poverty of aspiration! If we work
together, we can build a world that is more prosperous and just – for
all of us!”
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Co-Chairs Bill & Melinda Gates
Melinda:
“If anyone ever tells you we can’t do anything about global poverty and
disease - tell them this: We have cut extreme poverty and disease, over
the past 25 years, in half.“
Bill: “If we’re going to make the progress we need over the next 15 years to end extreme poverty, we need you.”
Melinda: “We need you to hold your leaders accountable the leaders who made promises this week in New York.”
European Commission, Vice President Frans Timmermans committed to increase support for the Syrian refugee crisis by €500 million, saying:
“Images
speak loud and the ones we just saw are heart wrenching. Syria is a
crisis from hell. Countries like Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey have given a
safe haven to millions of refugees.
They
urgently need more help. And the European Union commits to increase our
support substantially. We have set up a Trust Fund for Syrian refugees
in those countries: it’s a regional fund, with a regional scope – and we
commit to increase it by an additional 500 million euros.
We
want this money to focus on education, livelihoods, food security. To
target especially children and young people. And we guarantee that this
funding will not be at the expense of our existing development aid
budget.
We’ll
push hard to get individual European countries to match that money with
contributions from their national budgets so that we can reach 1
billion euros. All the Europeans out there – write to your governments,
tell them to sign up! Syria needs our help. Thank you.”
CATERPILLAR Foundation, President Michele Sullivan launched the new Together Strong campaign, in support of many of the Global Goals:
“We
believe that collaboration, not competition, is the key to success.
Working together, global citizens around the world have been a powerful
force for change over the past few years. You have helped achieve
game-changing successes in education for girls and women around the
world, sustainable agriculture, clean water and sanitation.
Now,
with the launch of Together Stronger campaign, we are making a major
commitment to promote the kinds of collaborations that will make
sustainable change possible – bringing clean water, healthy food,
gender equality, security and a path to prosperity to those without.”
ISSUE SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS
GIRLS & WOMEN
Sweden, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven committed to improve sanitation for 60 million people in the next 15 years.
“Over
the next 15 years, Sweden’s 10 million inhabitants will support efforts
to improve sanitation to 60 million people throughout the world.”
Norway, Prime Minister Erna Solberg committed to increase WSH funding by at least 6 million dollars, which is set affect more than 600,000 lives.
“Norway plans to increase its support for water and sanitation by at least 6 million dollars next year.”
Turkey, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu committed to call on world leaders to deliver on reducing the gender gap by 25% over 10 years.
“Last
year, world leaders … agreed to reduce the gap between men and women in
the workforce by 25% over the next 10 years. As the Chair of G20
Antalya Summit in November, Turkey will call on world leaders to
redouble their efforts to meet this ambitious goal and commit to monitor
and report on the progress they are making to create a better life for
girls and women. A new G20 engagement group - the Women-20 - will be
dedicated specifically to improving gender empowerment.
If
we achieve our goal, 100 million more women will get access to fair and
equal work around the world. Global citizens, Turkey has heard your
voices loud and clear. I am calling on all G20 leaders to prioritize the
needs of women in the workforce and society for a more peaceful,
inclusive world.”
Rwanda, First Daughter, Ange Kagame reaffirms commitment to increase funding for hygiene.
“My
country has committed to increasing hygiene budget lines to reach at
least 0.5% GDP by 2020 through the Ngor Declaration, because in Rwanda
we recognize the importance of water and sanitation, particularly
hygiene and handwashing.
As
an advocate of gender equality, I know this cannot be achieved when
girls are the most impacted by inadequate access to clean water and
sanitation. That is why I stand with my fellow Rwandans in reiterating
the importance of hygiene and handwashing by calling on the UN General
Assembly to make this a priority in implementing the new Global Goals.”
South Africa, WASH Minister, Nomvula Mokonyane, committed
as chair of G77, endorse Global Goal 6 on water, sanitation and
hygiene, and commit to campaign to for a specific hygiene indicator in
the final targets.
“South
Africa is the current chair of the G77. I am pleased to announce our
support for Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on access to
sustainable water and sanitation for all. Water is an important resource
to ensure healthy living and a simple but crucial exercise such as
washing your hands is a very important health and life skill that we
often take for granted.”
World Bank, President Jim Yong Kim reported back on the $15 billion, five year commitment the bank made from the Global Citizen Festival stage in 2014.
“I’m
proud to say we’ve already provided $4 billion dollars, which will give
at least 20 million people access to safe sanitation and water. We’re
helping countries protect their citizens and educate them about healthy
behaviors – especially children.”
H&M Conscious Foundation, Acting Global Manager, Maria Bystedt, commitment to $1.3m donation for sanitation programs in India to affect lives of 45,000 people.
“Providing
the world with access to safe water and sanitation is so important and
that is why the H&M Conscious Foundation is donating 1.3 million USD
to a 3 year project in the town of Khurdha, in India. We do this in
collaboration with Practical Action, an international development
charity that uses technology to challenge poverty.”
EDUCATION
Norway, Prime Minister Erna Solberg, committed
to double their contribution to Global Partnership for Education over
next 3 years, and endorsed the goal of all children receiving 12 years
of education.
“We
must ensure that every child can have 12 years of free, safe, quality
education. We can use the Global Citizen Festival as our collective
megaphone to call for a massive increase in education funding. We will
use The Global Partnership for Education as a vital tool. We are also
doubling our funding to GPE over the next three years.”
United Kingdom, Secretary of State for International Development Justine Greening committed to get 6.5 million additional girls into school in the next 5 years.
“For
me personally, the global goals are fundamentally about achieving
equality for girls and women. Too many girls and women around the world
are invisible outside the home. Today I can announce that over the next
five years the UK will help 6.5 million more girls go to school, stay in
school and learn. This is on top of our work helping millions of girls
and women get jobs, land rights, bank accounts and access to family
planning.” [check against delivery]
United States, Deputy Secretary of State, Heather Higginbottom called on behalf of the US Government for all children to have access to quality education.
“Every
girl and boy deserves access to quality education. The United States is
firmly committed to ensuring educational opportunities for all …
through strategic investments like the more than 1 billion dollars the
U.S invests each year to improve education around the world, including
through the Global Partnership for Education.”
HEALTH
Malta, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, committed
to put polio eradication on the agenda for forthcoming Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting, and call on all countries to support
eradication.
“When
the leaders of 53 countries, representing 2.1 billion people, meet in
Malta in a few months time, I am determined to make history. Tonight, I
commit to making the eradication of polio a priority at our Summit. I
will seek a renewal in global commitment to end polio once and for all.”
Luxembourg, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, contributed €500,000 to polio eradication efforts to affect the lives of 1.1 million children.
“My
country has always been a strong supporter of polio eradication. This
is why, today, Luxembourg pledges an additional €500,000 to the Global
Polio Eradication Initiative. I hope others will follow this lead.”
Colombia, President Juan Manuel Santos, committed to reduce maternal mortality rate in rural areas by 25% by 2018, which is set to affect 2.3 million lives.
“It
is because of you, because of the Global Poverty Project, and all the
thousands of people gathered today at the Global Citizen Festival that
we know it is possible to marshal the forces of good around a common
goal in order to change the world forever. Many of you have written to
me. You expressed a concern that we share deeply in our hearts. My dear
global citizens, I hear you. Colombia hears you. So I will make a pledge
to you today. The government of Colombia commits itself to establishing
a very concrete goal to achieve by the year 2018 to reduce by 25% the
maternal mortality rate in rural areas of our country.”
Japan, Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, committed
to form and lead an international alliance for Universal Health
Coverage, as part of Global Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.
“To
attain health for all, it is essential to realize Universal Health
Coverage. Japan will strive to form and lead an international alliance,
which will be the driving force for the achievement of this goal.
Together we can realize a world in which no one is left behind.”
FOOD & NUTRITION
Malawi, Vice President Saulos Chilima committed
that by 2024, food and nutrition security will be achieved in Malawi,
and to reduce the rates of childhood stunting to 10% and underweight to
5%.
“Malawi
stands ready to meet the Global Goals by consolidating the gains it has
made over the last decade. We will not only achieve food and nutrition
security for citizens, but also reduce the rates of stunting to 10% and
underweight to 5% by 2024, 6 years before the Global Goals.”
Rwanda, President Paul Kagame, supported the Global Goals and noted Rwanda’s progress:
“To
achieve the Global Goal of ending hunger, we must make women’s role in
agriculture and in nutrition a top priority. In Rwanda we have omitted
laws that prevented women from owning and inheriting land. Millions of
computerized land titles have since been issued, the majority to women.
We can do much more by working together to make the sustainable
development goals a reality.”
United States, Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) calls
for the passage of the Food for Peace Reform Act, which could lead to
roughly $300 million in savings, allowing the United States to reach six
to nine million more people each year:
“We
need a new approach to food aid that reaches more people faster in
times of dire need. A bill I’ve introduced with Republican Senator Bob
Corker, named the Food for Peace Reform Act of 2015, will make this
critical lifesaving change in American food aid. Thanks, global
citizens, for raising your voices in support of food aid reform.”
Although not able to attend the Festival, Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee added:
“The
Food for Peace Reform Act will help us deliver lifesaving food to those
in need more quickly, at a lower cost, reaching up to nine million more
suffering people. Reorganizing this vital food aid program in a more
sensible way also will allow us to better promote stability around the
world. Thanks to all the participants in the Global Citizen campaign, we
are able to build awareness and gain even more support for this
legislation that can impact the lives of millions around the world.”
And, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ed Royce (R-CA)
also pledged his support despite not being able to join the event: “At
this time of unprecedented humanitarian need, making food aid more
efficient is essential and overdue.”
REFUGEE CRISIS
Chime for Change, Co-Founder Salma Hayek Pinault
“More
than two million children have sought safety outside of Syria. We are
now witness to the worst refugee crisis since the 2nd world war and the
nightmare of their plight gets worse by the day.”
Jordan, Queen Rania Al Abdullah
“For millions, this is their darkest hour. Their time of greatest need. But it’s also your time. You can
show the world that all lives matter. Today, we call on the international community to unite and extend
the
hand of humanity to those who are risking their lives in search of
safety, peace and security. We call on leaders to honor their
obligations towards refugees and to increase aid to the Syrian crisis.”
European Commission, Vice President Frans Timmermans committed to increase support for the Syrian refugee crisis by €500 million, saying:
“Images
speak loud and the ones we just saw are heart wrenching. Syria is a
crisis from hell. Countries like Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey have given a
safe haven to millions of refugees.
They
urgently need more help. And the European Union commits to increase our
support substantially. We have set up a Trust Fund for Syrian refugees
in those countries: it’s a regional fund, with a regional scope – and we
commit to increase it by an additional 500 million euros.
We
want this money to focus on education, livelihoods, food security. To
target especially children and young people. And we guarantee that this
funding will not be at the expense of our existing development aid
budget.
We’ll
push hard to get individual European countries to match that money with
contributions from their national budgets so that we can reach 1
billion euros. All the Europeans out there – write to your governments,
tell them to sign up! Syria needs our help. Thank you.”
About the Global Citizen Festival
Proud
core partners of the 2015 Global Citizen Festival include: presenting
partner Gucci and the CHIME FOR CHANGE campaign, The Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation, Citi, Unilever, YouTube, TIDAL, Google, iHeartRadio,
Clear Channel Outdoor, msnbc, New York City Department of Parks &
Recreation, H&M, and T-Mobile. Supporting partners are BBC
Worldwide, Universal Music Group Distribution, Pratt Foundation,
Waislitz Foundation, The Huffington Post, Milk Studios, RYOT and Riot
House.
The Festival has also partnered with leading non-profit groups: action/2015; CARE;
Concern Worldwide U.S.; The Earth Institute; Every Woman, Every Child;
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis
and Malaria; The Global Partnership for Education; Global Polio
Eradication Initiative; Heifer International; The Hunger Project; Kiva;
The ONE Campaign; Opportunity International; Oxfam America; Pencils of
Promise; RESULTS; United Nations Foundation; UNICEF; Save the Children
Action Network; USA for UNHCR; WaterAid; World Bank Group; World Vision;
Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council.
For more information about the Festival, the commitments, and how to join the movement, visit: www.globalcitizen.org.