The Campaign to Make Poverty History doesn't want your money, it wants your voice. Who exactly is One?Well, you are One.† I am One.† We are all one actually. ONE is a coalition of 2 million people and over 70 non-profit, advocacy and humanitarian organizations all working hard to end poverty in our generation. From the heartland to Hollywood, Americans are wearing white bands in support of ONE.

Over three million Americans and millions of people around the world are wearing the white band, the international symbol of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty. But Oneis also a symbol of the power of how one action one voice, one choice, a one commitment, can save one human life. For instance, by directing an additional ONE percent of the U.S. budget toward providing the most basic needs " and fighting the corruption that wastes precious resources " the US can help transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the poorest countries. If the U.S. were to devote an additional ONE percent " one cent more for every dollar spent by the federal government"to helping the world's poorest people help themselves, America would demonstrate a commitment to the Millennium Goals, an internationally agreed upon effort to halve global poverty by 2015. But the campaign has already begun, and One voice is already being heard: over 2 million people have signed the ONE Declaration. And a group of celebrities are now taking up the cause and leading the way.† Some high-powered stars like Brad Pitt and U2 singer Bono have launched an advertising campaign with the aim of combating poverty.†† Although the influx of celebrity spokesmen has caused some critics to question the motives of these celebrity spokesmen " now that ONE is such a great way to generate PR for a an up-and-coming client " the high profile press these celebs generate has pushed The One Campaign to the forefront of the American Conversation. The One Campaign made great progress at the recent G8 summit by summoning the world's greatest musical artists to perform in the name of the cause. Veteran bands such as U2 and Pink Floyd played alongside newer bands like Green Day to help send the message. The results were staggering:† the G8 leaders reached an unprecedented agreement: $50 billion more a year in international assistance per year by 2010; AIDS drugs to all those who need it, and care for all AIDS orphans; Primary schools for ALL children by 2015; A commitment to protect 85% of vulnerable Africans against malaria; and 100% debt cancellation for 18 of the world's poorest countries. These promises, if kept, are a historic opportunity to fight global AIDS and extreme poverty and save millions of lives. As ONE, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

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