As part of its COVID-19 action plan, the G20 has agreed to suspend debt repayments for the poorest countries who request relief, for the rest of 2020. They estimate this could free up to US$12 billion in government debt payments. The G20 also calls on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund and private lenders to provide comparable debt relief. This decision follows calls from the ONE Campaign and 200 other organisations to support the world’s most vulnerable nations during...
Jef Vanhamel is a medical doctor and ONE Youth Ambassador in Belgium. The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the lives of billions of people worldwide. The rapid spread of the new virus has caused devastating health effects. In addition, the measures taken to contain its spread are severely affecting the global economy and our daily lives. Because this crisis is so deeply rooted in almost every aspect of life, it is also painfully exposing and exacerbating the existent inequalities on multiple levels...
On hot Sundays in Dar es Salaam, city dwellers find refuge from the heat at the public beaches. Children bath in the shallow water, youngsters pose for photos in the breeze, and men practice boxing. In the shade by some tall coral rocks, Sekela Mwaipaja sets up her small art studio. Paintings of women decorate the coral wall; one woman carries firewood on her head, another sets sail in a dhow, a third woman poses in the sunset. “I paint women...
Dear G20 Finance Ministers, It’s been over three months since the first COVID-19 case was reported in China. Since then, the health, economic, and geopolitical impacts of the pandemic have brought the world to a standstill. Two weeks ago, leaders pledged to do “whatever it takes” to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. As we await to see your action plan ahead of the next G20 financing meeting on 15 April, it’s imperative that you spell out your commitments to the most vulnerable...
COVID-19 is impacting our lives, our communities, and our economies. While the virus is affecting everyone, it will have the most significant impact on those most vulnerable, whether they live across the street or across the ocean. Viruses don’t pay attention to borders — and neither can the world’s response plan. We need to mobilise resources for a humanitarian response not seen in decades. We need to make sure that new medicines and a vaccine, once available, are distributed equitably....
Podcasts have exploded into popularity in recent years. In fact, there’s over 800,000 podcasts out there, and about 62 million listeners in the U.S. every week. Whether you’re a long-time listener or looking for a place to start, we’ve got a great list of podcast episodes for you. As a bonus, each one of the episodes listed below covers an important issue, so you can learn something new while you listen. Cry Power The Cry Power podcast — hosted by artist Hozier...
A video was recently circulated showing people in overcrowded slums in Lagos, Nigeria resisting lockdown. In the video, people expressed their dissatisfaction with the lockdown, citing their inability to meet their food and energy needs as a major concern. In Kenya, commuters at a ferry received a bout of tear gas as the police tried to disperse a crowd of ferry commuters in Mombasa trying to escape the impending curfew the next day. We should expect to see more of...
If you’re an activist staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re probably looking for a way to continue your advocacy. Luckily, our Youth Ambassadors are here to give you advice on how to take action, brush up on some knowledge, and make the best out of being at home. Here’s some of our favourite pieces of advice from Youth Ambassadors: Francesca Memmi, UK, Youth Ambassador 2020 Let’s take this opportunity to use our voice for the most...
Like many of you, we’re busy looking for creative ways to enjoy our free time now that we’re spending the majority of our time at home. We’ve got book recommendations, tips for at-home activism, a great Spotify playlist to jam to, and an activist-themed word search that’s pretty challenging. If you’re looking for something relaxing, we’ve created these downloadable colouring pages for you to print out, share, and get creative with! No printer? You can save these to your phone...
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people all over the world are increasingly standing in solidarity with each other to beat the virus. But as we live through this, the cold hard fact about the COVID-19 pandemic is clear – it will inevitably wreak its worst on the people, communities, and countries that are least able to withstand the shock. Where you live shouldn’t determine whether you live. If the virus is moving faster than we are, it’s winning. But, the good...