IRVINE, California — The new campaign called Action/2015 was launched on Thursday, Jan. 15, by more than 1,000 organizations in 50 countries with events to be held worldwide. The campaign has brought together a long list of celebrities and environmental activist from around the world.
The events will consist of various meetings that will mark the launch of the global campaign, and aim to raise awareness of major global issues such as climate change, poverty and inequality, all of which are topics heading into key global summits later this year.
Their goal is to pressure world leaders to act conclusively on the issues, making sure that those issues remain foremost important and promote its public awareness throughout the year.
The youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist, Malala Yousafzai, publicized the initiative to focus on the issues of climate change, poverty and inequality when she accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
“People globally want an end to injustice, poverty and illiteracy. Our world is interconnected and youth are ready and mobilized more than ever to see real change take place,” said Yousafzai.
Since then, Yousafzai has received tons of support from many famous people, ranging from the music industry to successful entrepreneurs.
The lengthy list of famous supporters include: musicians Bono, Annie Lennox and Sting; actors Matt Damon, Hugh Jackman and Mia Farrow; entrepreneurs Ted Turner, Jimmy Wales and Bill and Melinda Gates; and Nobel Peace Prize laureates Desmond Tutu and Jody Williams.
More than 80 percent of the human population resides in countries where differences in income are widening. The global population is projected to increase to 9.6 billion in 2050, with Africa expected to increase the most.
It is difficult to predict what kind of form poverty will take in the future but the drastic increase in the population means that more lives are at stake in facing poverty. If world leaders do not take action this year, research done by the University of Denver says that close to a billion extra people could face lives of extreme poverty.
Many have already started to raise attention to the new campaign. Aamir Khan, recognized as one of the most influential actors of Indian cinema, has addressed an open letter to world leaders encouraging them to act on the global issues.
Moreover, Yousafzai, joined by a large gathering of celebrities, musicians, entrepreneurs and activists, have also signed an open letter letting governments know that the voice of millions of people are not to be ignored.
“Together, we are demanding our leaders to take action in 2015 and we must all do our part,” added Yousafzai.
The campaign aims at reaching for four specific outcomes: an end to poverty in all its forms, the meeting of fundamental rights, tackling equality and discrimination, transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy, and a world where leaders are held accountable for their actions.
Supporters hope to see the world leaders agree on a set of Sustainable Development Goals in the New York Summit for the next 15 years and build on the 15 year-old Millennium Development Goals that expire this year. After the United Nations Summit, policymakers will head to Paris to discuss further on the global climate change pact.
The Action/2015 campaign will hopefully mark this year as one of the noteworthy Sustainable Development Goals, and will set an optimistic world for the next generation to grow up in. Throughout 2015, the campaign will provide ways for people everywhere to get involved in influencing the results of these global issues.
– Sandy Phan
Sources: Action 2015, Global Issue, Pew Research Center, Save the Children
Photo: Flickr