1.4 Billion Reasons ....

Media release
August 24, 2009
1.4 Billion Reasons ....
Global campaign to end world poverty launches in New Zealand

New Zealanders will be shown practical ways they can help alleviate extreme poverty around the world when the New Zealand chapter of the Global Poverty Project launches next week.

It is estimated 1.4 people live in extreme poverty – defined by the World Bank as people living on less than US $1.25 a day. The Global Poverty Project aims to catalyse the movement to end this extreme poverty through a 90-minute presentation '1.4billion reasons…' which creatively and deeply communicates the issues surrounding poverty and shows audiences how they can take action.

Developed by the team behind the Australian MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY concerts that involved BONO and supported by actor Hugh Jackman, '1.4 Billion Reasons…’ will be presented in six cities across New Zealand to raise awareness of how we can contribute to eliminating extreme poverty in our lifetime.

Inspired by An Inconvenient Truth, the initiative advocates the United Nations’ eight Millennium Development Goals, developed in 2000 and adopted by 189 countries with the objective of improving the lives of the world's poorest people by 2015.

The free multi-media presentation aims to powerfully demonstrate the challenges and opportunities around tackling extreme and aims to highlight how New Zealanders can make simple lifestyle changes that will enable more of the world’s poorest to break the poverty cycle.

Hugh Evans, former young Australian of the Year and founder of the Oaktree foundation, will present ‘1.4 Billion Reasons...’ at the Beehive on Monday, August 24. Public presentations will follow in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton.

Evans says that the Global Poverty Project sets out to communicate, in an easy to understand format, that extreme poverty is the responsibility of all individuals and that it can be eradicated.

"We hope to do for global poverty what Gore did for climate change.”

‘1.4 Billion Reasons…’ has already been presented to thousands of people across Australia and moves to Canada and the UK later in the year. It's intended that audiences will take the presentation to their own friends, families and communities in preparation for the release of a documentary that is currently being filmed and narrated by Hugh Jackman.

www.globalpovertyproject.com

What others are saying...

“This appears to be a very good proposal to reach large numbers of people with strong messages about the importance of tackling poverty. I believe this is an exciting and worthwhile project.” – Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand

“Everything about Hugh Evans is impressive. He's the kid-next-door who has decided to do everything he can to improve the quality of life for the millions around the world living in poverty. His vision is big, his enthusiasm infectious, his arguments persuasive. Through The Global Poverty Project, Hugh delivers a message of incredible hope: we are the generation that has the power and ability to end extreme poverty once and for all. And that's something I want to be involved in." - Tim Harper, The Great New Zealand Songbook designer and co-producer

“I like the sound of GPP because it has the potential to build upon the "No More Excuses" campaign that was initiated by a number of young people around the time of the 07.07.07 MDG half time rallies. GPP can help sustain that voice calling for our government to honour their commitment to the MDG's." - Duane Major, youth advocate and national coordinator, 24-7 Youth Work, Christchurch

“Hugh Evans is without a doubt a stunning individual. Delightfully unassuming but oh so passionate, articulate, intelligent and innovative. Our staff and students were inspired. I call him a ‘mountain mover’! Don’t miss him when he is back in NZ presenting “The Global Poverty Project’. He will rock your world!”
Murray Burton, Principal, Elim Christian School, North & South Magazine “NZer of the Year 2008”

“Hugh Evans delivers yet another ground-breaking initiative. I believe the GPP message is one of vision and hope combined with pragmatism and real possibilities – everyone and anyone can make a real difference to the lives of others.”
Dr Amy Edwards, Executive Dean, Bethlehem Tertiary Institute, Tauranga

“I believe that GPP is a project worth supporting. Today's young people are realising that it is their turn to stand up and make a difference. Every year, the world gets smaller and we are now living in a global community. We are connected to the problems of extreme poverty in the developing world. Now is the time to get involved and accept the challenge. By acting locally, raising awareness, and finding creative solutions there will be a solution to end extreme poverty. Extreme poverty is not just a case of having less; it is a case of having nothing, not having sufficient resources to sustain life. Not to be involved is to deny the essence of our humanity.”
Dr Rod Carr, Vice Chancellor, Canterbury University

Event details

Wellington
Monday 24th August
Wellington Beehive – Private Event (not to be publicised)

Auckland
Tuesday 25th August
Auckland Hopetoun Alpha – Private Event (not to be publicised)

Dunedin
Wednesday 26th August
Dunedin Town Hall
7pm Free Entry

Christchurch
Thursday 27th August
The Majestic Theatre
7pm Free Entry

Wellington
Friday 28th August
Rutherford House, Victoria University
7pm Free Entry

Auckland
Saturday 29th August
Beaumont Centre
7pm Free Entry

Tauranga
Sunday 30th August
Holy Trinity
7pm Free Entry

Hamilton
Monday 31st August
PWC Lecture Theatre, Waikato University
7pm Free Entry

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