New York Concert Battles Extreme Poverty

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By JohnPosted In: PovertyTagged: , , , , , , ,

Late this September, three hot bands will combine their efforts at one of the most popular concerts of the year- the Global Festival 2012.

Tickets for the event, which will feature The Black Keys, Foo Fighters and Neil Young with Crazy Horse, cannot be bought in advance, however. Instead, fans must take part in an effort to fight extreme poverty though the event’s website or app, thus earning entry to the Central Park performance. Participation involves simple activities such as posting info on social media networks, signing petitions and small donations.

The Black Keys’ drummer Patrick Carney explained:

“The scale of things that they’re trying to do just felt really cool, and we’re trying to get the ball rolling. Especially with everything that’s been going on for the last three years, I supposed, after the stock market crashed. There’s attention on the amount of people living below the poverty line and the disparity between the rich and the poor and everything that’s going on now… It just felt like the right time to do something.”

Efforts against worldwide poverty have increased as the UN meetings in NY proceed. Hugh Evans, organizer of Global Poverty Project, has called the concert a “crescendo” to the outstanding effort.

“I think what’s exciting is all the world leaders are going to be in town that week for the United Nations meeting. And this concert and the associated campaign will give us the opportunity to ask these world leaders to make practical and tangible monetary commitments to the world’s poor and to the achievement of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.”

The Barefoot Foundation Founder Shakira Nominated for Charity Award

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By DouglasPosted In: EducationTagged: , , , , , ,

Shakira, the Colombian singer and dancer beloved by nations worldwide, was recently nominated for a charity award in Spain.

The Prince of Asturias Concord award is presented to individuals “whose work has significantly contributed to fostering peace, the defense of human rights, freedom, solidarity, the safeguarding of heritage, or, in general, the progress of humanity.”

Previous recipients include Stephen Hawking, the renowned scientist, and J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series.

Shakira is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, as well as the founder of the Barefoot Foundation, having created its partner, the Pies Descalzos Foundation, when she was only 18 years old. This past year, the organization raised funds to build schools in Colombia and Haiti.

The Barefoot Foundation works to provide education to children across the globe. It supports practical and innovative education programs while promoting the importance of childhood education.

The organization believes that “Education is the key to a better world for everyone, not just underprivileged children. Education is not just books and facts; it is also social and emotional growth.”

The Barefoot Foundation “helps children exercise their basic right to an education, paving the way for their growth in society.”

According to their website, the foundation works “with boys and girls whose lives have been disrupted by violence and poverty hoping that someday we will no longer lose young human potential to poverty, malnutrition and violence.” They add that “Simply providing teachers and schools is not enough when children are faced with extreme poverty, so we work to ensure that they do not learn with empty stomachs and broken homes.”

The Poor In England Pay More For Basic Services

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By JohnPosted In: Save The ChildrenTagged: , , , , , , , ,

According to a Save the Children research study, Poor families in England are being overcharged by approximately $2,060 a year more for basic needs .

Utility bills are almost 30% higher since the lower income generally use prepayment meters instead of direct debit. They pay as much as three times the real price for items such as cookers by getting them on rental purchase. In addition, insurance is also more expensive because they live in high-crime neighborhoods, Save the Children discovered.

Martin Lewis, a financial expert who helped with the study explained that: “It is ridiculous but true – it costs more to be poor.” He said that poor people don’t have access to the web to obtain information about banking and money saving tips

Sally Copley of Save The Children, explained that families who live on less than $20,000 per year are being charged more for heating. In order to save heating costs families don’t heat when they don’t absolutely have to. Copley said that: “There is a clear link between living in cold, damp conditions for long periods and children’s health being put at risk.”