This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jun/25/one-campaign-not-drown-out-african-voices

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
The ONE campaign does not drown out African voices The ONE campaign does not drown out African voices
(3 months later)
George Monbiot claims Bono and the ONE campaign have somehow stolen African voices and that we are too close to power (Bono can't help Africans by stealing their voice, 17 June). He's wrong on both counts.George Monbiot claims Bono and the ONE campaign have somehow stolen African voices and that we are too close to power (Bono can't help Africans by stealing their voice, 17 June). He's wrong on both counts.
Monbiot says: "Bono and others like him have seized the political space which might otherwise have been occupied by the Africans about whom they are talking. Because Bono is seen by world leaders as the representative of the poor, the poor are not invited to speak."Monbiot says: "Bono and others like him have seized the political space which might otherwise have been occupied by the Africans about whom they are talking. Because Bono is seen by world leaders as the representative of the poor, the poor are not invited to speak."
That's not true. A case in point: just before the G8 summit we put together a meeting between David Cameron and African anti-corruption campaigners to argue the case against secrecy. Our board includes two of the most powerful African voices you could imagine: Mo Ibrahim, one of the world's leading philanthropists; and Nigeria's finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Our African advisory board includes John Githongo, the anti-corruption campaigner, the musicians and activists Youssou N'Dour and Angelique Kidjo, and more. And we have just canvassed 200,000 citizens of three African nations on what the next development agenda should be – giving voice to those who are often ignored.That's not true. A case in point: just before the G8 summit we put together a meeting between David Cameron and African anti-corruption campaigners to argue the case against secrecy. Our board includes two of the most powerful African voices you could imagine: Mo Ibrahim, one of the world's leading philanthropists; and Nigeria's finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Our African advisory board includes John Githongo, the anti-corruption campaigner, the musicians and activists Youssou N'Dour and Angelique Kidjo, and more. And we have just canvassed 200,000 citizens of three African nations on what the next development agenda should be – giving voice to those who are often ignored.
Monbiot also claims that "tax justice is absent from the global issues identified by ONE". That's wrong. Last week our European director was with other members of the IF campaign, lobbying the G8 on the need to advance tax justice for developing nations. And we have been campaigning hard for laws to illuminate the true ownership of shell companies in which ill-gotten gains are often hidden.Monbiot also claims that "tax justice is absent from the global issues identified by ONE". That's wrong. Last week our European director was with other members of the IF campaign, lobbying the G8 on the need to advance tax justice for developing nations. And we have been campaigning hard for laws to illuminate the true ownership of shell companies in which ill-gotten gains are often hidden.
Monbiot further suggests that if an "organisation keeps telling you that it's a 'grassroots campaign', it's a fair bet that it is nothing of the kind". The fact is, ONE has 3 million members around the world and campaigns for an end to the injustice of extreme poverty and preventable disease, with a particular focus on partnering with sub-Saharan Africa. We play both an "outside" game – mobilising our members around specific issues – and an "inside" one, lobbying the powerful to adopt effective policies. That combination is how we believe change comes about. Working closely with partner NGOs and governments, we have been successful in lobbying for extra funds for vaccinations and life-saving medicines, and greater transparency in the extractives industries.Monbiot further suggests that if an "organisation keeps telling you that it's a 'grassroots campaign', it's a fair bet that it is nothing of the kind". The fact is, ONE has 3 million members around the world and campaigns for an end to the injustice of extreme poverty and preventable disease, with a particular focus on partnering with sub-Saharan Africa. We play both an "outside" game – mobilising our members around specific issues – and an "inside" one, lobbying the powerful to adopt effective policies. That combination is how we believe change comes about. Working closely with partner NGOs and governments, we have been successful in lobbying for extra funds for vaccinations and life-saving medicines, and greater transparency in the extractives industries.
As for Monbiot's claim of "injustice at the heart" of the New Alliance For Food Security and Nutrition – which we have consistently argued should be reformed as well as expanded – I can't offer a better answer than that published on the Guardian's Global Development site last week by Malawi's President Joyce Banda. She says that Malawi's new membership of the alliance is "a tremendous opportunity to accelerate my government's efforts to generate greater investment in agricultural development".As for Monbiot's claim of "injustice at the heart" of the New Alliance For Food Security and Nutrition – which we have consistently argued should be reformed as well as expanded – I can't offer a better answer than that published on the Guardian's Global Development site last week by Malawi's President Joyce Banda. She says that Malawi's new membership of the alliance is "a tremendous opportunity to accelerate my government's efforts to generate greater investment in agricultural development".
In the end, this debate is about how to advance the interests of the world's poorest. If you want to move towards the ideal of social justice, you often have to engage with the political process as it exists, not as you would perhaps like it to be. I'm proud to work with Bono and millions of others in many organisations who shared a sense of what was right and wrong with the world, and stepped up to do something about it.In the end, this debate is about how to advance the interests of the world's poorest. If you want to move towards the ideal of social justice, you often have to engage with the political process as it exists, not as you would perhaps like it to be. I'm proud to work with Bono and millions of others in many organisations who shared a sense of what was right and wrong with the world, and stepped up to do something about it.
The Response column offers those who have been written about in the Guardian a chance to reply. If you wish to respond to an article, email response@guardian.co.uk or write to Response, The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. We cannot guarantee to publish all responses, and we reserve the right to edit The Response column offers those who have been written about in the Guardian a chance to reply. If you wish to respond to an article, email response@guardian.co.uk or write to Response, The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. We cannot guarantee to publish all responses, and we reserve the right to edit
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.