I am convinced that war and greater movement towards the equalization in the quality of life for all on the planet will occur when all feel equal and respected. This is a huge part of my passion and purpose. I have been studying how this can be possible and real in our life time... My recent fascination with Bono, the Irish singer from the band The U2, has been founded in learning about his deep understanding and focused action and work towards seeing this goal realized. I too firmly believe that we that we must eliminate the "haves vs. and the have not syndrome". In our world today overall inequity crosses many lines: women’s right to a voice in the most powerful seats in business and politics, an imposed debt on 3rd world nations and the unfairness that the hunger project advocates for when it makes us aware of the tens of thousands of children that are e starving each day.....You get my drift???
The below excerpt introduces Bono’s (and Bill and Melinda Gates) strategy to support Africa:
NEW YORK
(CNN) -- Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Bono, lead singer for the rock band U2, announced at the World Economic Forum here Saturday their plan to focus the world's attention on issues confronting Africa:
"We have an agenda," said Bono at a news conference, "which we're calling the 'DATA Agenda': 'Debt, AIDS and trade for Africa, in return for democracy, accountability and transparency in Africa.'
"It's a deal, and it's a tough deal, but we think if we follow that through, by this summer's G-8 we can get governments to agree on a kind of Marshall Plan for Africa.
"It's a good analogy I think, particularly post-September the 11th. ... The United States invested in Europeafter the Second World War as a bulwark against Sovietism. And it had debt cancellation as part of it, and trade, etc. "At the moment," Bono said, "Africais in the same kind of vulnerable position that Europewas -- to other extremists and ideologies. And I think it would be very smart for the West to invest in preventing the fires rather than putting them out, which is a lot more expensive.
I am impressed by those who take action and provide leadership where no other dare.
Maureen Simon
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