One War, Four Fronts in the Campaign Against AIDS and Extreme Poverty

There is an emergency happening on the continent of Africa: the AIDS epidemic fueled by extreme poverty is destroying families and laying waste to millions of lives.

Every single day 8,500 African men, women and children die as a result of AIDS and malaria. More people die every single month in Africa from these two diseases alone than died in the entirety of the 2004 Asia-Pacific tsunami. Every single week family and community structures are being permanently ravaged. There are 12 million AIDS orphans in Africa today and that number is expected to climb to 18 million by 2010.

A tragedy of this scope and complexity demands a multifaceted solution that draws on the unique strengths of different parts of society - individuals, business, government and faith leaders.

In short, we need to gang up on the problem

To do that, we need channels through which individuals, communities, business and government can act, in concert, to fight the spread of AIDS and the kind of stupid, extreme poverty that means children in Africa die, by the millions every year, not only from AIDS and malaria, but from diarrhea or dirty water.

Putting the Pieces Together
In 2002, Bono, Bobby Shriver and activists from the Jubilee "Drop the Debt" campaign joined together to create a new advocacy organization called DATA (debt, AIDS, trade, africa). DATA's mission is to fight AIDS and extreme poverty in Africa by raising public awareness and working closely with government leaders and policymakers in the U.S., U.K. and throughout the G8.

In 2004, with support from DATA and 11 other organizations working on poverty-related issues, the ONE campaign was launched to build a movement that actively engages Americans from all walks of life in the fight against global AIDS and extreme poverty. Through ONE, Americans from all 50 states are raising their voices and asking the U.S. government to do more in this critical fight.

In 2005, EDUN, an ethically-sourced high fashion clothing company, was created by Ali Hewson, Bono and designer Rogan Gregory in an effort to increase trade opportunities and sustainable long-term employment in developing nations. With factories located in Africa, South America and India, EDUN believes in respect for and investment in the people and places where its clothing is made.

Then in 2006, Bono and Bobby Shriver joined with business leaders to launch (RED), a new organization designed to engage the private sector, with its marketing prowess and funds, in the fight against AIDS in Africa. With support from some of the world's most iconic brands, (RED) is raising awareness and money for the Global Fund (www.theglobalfund.org) through the marketing and sale of (PRODUCT) RED branded products. A portion of profits from each (PRODUCT) RED item sold goes directly to the Global Fund to invest in African AIDS programs, with a focus on women and children.

Multiple Paths, One Goal
Between DATA, ONE, (RED) and EDUN there is way for every individual to get involved in the fight against AIDS and extreme poverty.

Whether by writing to your Congressman and wearing the ONE white wristband, buying a (RED) product, or learning more about the issues and spreading the word at your church, synagogue, school or workplace, we can all make a difference. We need to reach people where they learn, where they play, where they shop and where they pray.

About DATA, ONE, RED and EDUN

DATA (debt, AIDS, trade, Africa) is an advocacy organization founded in 2002 by Bono, Bobby Shriver and activists from the Jubilee "Drop the Debt" campaign to fight AIDS and extreme poverty in Africa. DATA (www.data.org) also advocates for increased democracy, accountability and transparency in governance so that Africa's citizens have a greater voice in how resources are being used. In 2002 and 2003, DATA worked with the White House and Congress to secure a pledge of $15 billion over five years to fight AIDS in Africa through treatment and prevention programs, and an additional $10 billion over three years for development programs in well-governed poor countries. In 2005, DATA and partner campaigns from around the world helped to persuade the G8 to reach an unprecedented agreement on Africa that included broad debt cancellation, universal access to education, AIDS treatment and more effective development assistance. DATA continues to work to ensure these promises are kept and built upon.

ONE (www.ONE.org) is a growing grassroots movement of over 2.4 million people and more than 100 of the nation's leading relief, humanitarian and advocacy organizations working together to fight the global emergency of AIDS and extreme poverty. ONE members are Americans of all beliefs and every walk of life who are raising their voices as ONE so that decision makers will do more to save millions of lives in the poorest countries. ONE believes that allocating an additional 1% of the U.S. budget toward providing basic needs like health, education, clean water and food would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the world's poorest countries. Visit ONE.org

(RED)'s (www.joinred.com) primary objective is to engage the private sector in raising awareness and funds for the Global Fund to help fight AIDS in Africa. Companies whose products take on the (PRODUCT) RED mark contribute a significant percentage of the sales or portion of the profits from that product to the Global Fund to finance AIDS programs in Africa, with an emphasis on the health of women and children. Current partners are: American Express (U.K. only), Apple, Converse, Gap, Giorgio Armani and Motorola. MySpace.com is the first media sponsor in the United Kingdom. Visit JOINRED.com

EDUN (www.edunonline.com) EDUN is a socially-conscious clothing company launched in Spring 2005 by Ali Hewson and Bono with designer Rogan Gregory. EDUN brings the issue of sustainable employment to the world of high fashion, utilizing ethically-sound factories in developing areas such as Africa, India and South America. Visit edunonline.com

The mission of edun LIVE is to help foster trade in Africa through high-volume sales of blank t-shirts and organic t-shirts to the wholesale market. From the fields where the cotton is picked to the final stitch, all edun LIVE products are 100% African, from grower to sewer. To find out more about edun LIVE, go to www.edun-live.com.