How the Potential of the Live 8 Concerts Has Been Wasted

 

It's been less than two years since activist Bob Geldof's Live 8 event kicked off a series of concurrent concerts in each of the globe's wealthiest, most developed nations - the G8 countries. Approximately 1.5 million people attended these events, and hundreds of millions more are said to have watched them on television. Just six days later, these nations convened and announced a series of humanitarian promises, including $50 billion in extra aid for Africa.

 

For a music junkie, Live 8 was the be-all end-all of music extravaganzas: Coldplay, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, The Who - and that was just in London. But the concert was organized primarily in order to pressure world leaders to drop the debt of the world's poorest nations, to negotiate fair trade rules in the interest of poorer countries and to increase and improve foreign development aid. The results, thus far, are not exactly encouraging.

 

A new report published on April 3 by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says the members of the Group of Eight (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States) as well as more than a dozen other developed nations, are not meeting the pledges they made to the developing world in 2005. In 2006, foreign aid fell by over $5.5 billion despite the fact that aid was supposed to rise by $50 billion every year until 2010. Only the UK has successfully met its pledge.

 

The blame for this failure falls squarely on the shoulders of the G8 nations. There could be any number of reasons why these countries have failed to meet the $50 billion-a-year goal, but the fact that aid to the region has actually fallen is inexcusable.

 

Granted, in terms of debt relief for Africa's nations, the G8 do seem to be on track with their commitments. Developing nations that are heavily indebted often have a very difficult time generating the funding to pay off these loans (as well as the substantial interest rates) so they resort to inflationary measures that can ultimately stunt their development even more.

 

The G8 nations promised to cancel debt in 19 African nations, and its effects are beginning to be felt, particularly in Zambia and Tanzania.

 

Furthermore, there has been an increase in the number of Africans being treated for HIV/AIDS, with as many as 800,000 receiving treatment in 2005, but we are still well behind the goal of 4 million Africans treated by 2010.

 

Keep in mind that foreign aid is not the long-term solution for hunger or poverty - especially not in Africa. Since the end of World War II, Africa has received the most foreign aid of any region in the world, yet it has developed the least.

 

But this can not and should not be used as an excuse for wealthy nations to ignore the continent's problems. Just because the continent has not developed as quickly as, for example, nations in Southeast Asia, does not mean that sending food and medicine to poor Africans is a lost cause. Foreign aid still has the power to save lives.

 

But even worse than the nations that fail to give aid are those who criticize Geldof. Andy Kershaw, a TV and radio presenter, has criticized Geldof for believing he can "push around presidents and prime ministers." Noel Gallagher, the guitarist for Oasis, attacked Geldof for expecting the world's bands to come together at his behest and solve world poverty issues.

 

This is the same pretentiousness argument that people use against Bono - namely, that he has a Jesus complex and is foolish for believing that one righteous man can save the world. But who cares?

 

Geldof himself responded to the criticism by saying, "I am withering in my scorn for the columnists who say [Live 8] is not going to work. Even if it doesn't work, what do they propose? Every night forever watching people, live on TV, dying on our screens?"

 

Live 8 was still a whole lot better than doing nothing, wasn't it? Even if the G8 nations aren't doing their part, the concerts still helped raise the awareness of more than a million attendees and countless TV viewers.

 

It's easy to have a debate about how a worldwide celebrity spectacle isn't going to solve the world's problems.

 

But do the people in Africa in desperate need of food, medicine and other necessities care where it comes from? What matters is that someone needs to do something, and it needs to be done now. At least Bob Geldof tried.

 

Mike Brandon is a College sophomore from Colts Neck, N.J.

 

http://media.www.emorywheel.com/media/storage/paper919/news/2007/04/17/Editorials/Broken.Promises-2845035.shtml

So once again they lied... Pisses me off.

 

And Noel Gallagher is a dumbass.

What will it take for our governments to change?

Of course Govts. made empty promises. The whole f**king world was watching. THey had to say someting or risk losing votes. It's sad, but true. Cudos to the UK for living up to their promise. I don't usually cheer on the British Govt., but well done this time!!

 

As for Noel, that comment hardly even belongs in the article. He slags everyone and everthing off to such an extent that it's lost all impact and has become meaningless. I love Oasis, but I don't take anything Noel says seriously anymore,lol.

 

Next stop...Live Earth. More great music, more empty promises. Let's hope at least a little change takes place.

What will it take for our governments to change?

It'll take all of us letting politicians know that if they want our vote, they must take the issues of trade, hunger, poverty, and HIV/AIDS more seriously or they'll be out of a job.

 

Thank God for people like Steven Lewis. Now there's a national treasure.

Well Andy Kershaw and Noel Gallagher can go fuck themselves. I mean, what did they do anyway? Geldof at least tried, that's true. Of course, it didn't work out like it should have, since our world is just like that and our governments are all fucked up and phony, but it's better to do something than not doing anything. This concert attracted many people's attention, some of them made a donation, that's something. And criticizing Geldof for trying to help is just ridiculous, I suppose. Noel should maybe do something for poor countries himself before saying such things.

Amusing that Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn have something they actually agree about. Typical media spin though- pick the quote that will be ridiculed just because a Gallagher said it and never mind that several high profile artists have said similar things.

Well not just Noel, everybody who say Geldof is wasting his time are wrong, in my opinion. I only mentioned him because his name and quote were in the article.

And yeah, I've read about Albarn as well.

Noel even attacked Chris on a few occasions. He called him a f**king plant pot,lol, and he said Chris was pompous the way he went on about 'free trade'. Noel also played with Chris at the Make Trade Fair concert, so he has actually done something to help. I usually laugh my ass off at his comments, or I just ignore them. I wish he hadn't attacked Geldof, but I'm sure Geldof understands. You're noone unless the Galligers slag you off. It's just part of being a British musician,lol.

 

And like everyone else has said, at least Geldof has made an effort to help. He can't be blamed for the fact that politicians lie and go back on their word.

Noel even attacked Chris on a few occasions. He called him a f**king plant pot,lol, and he said Chris was pompous the way he went on about 'free trade'.

Actually, that was Liam, and he even said himself at the time that he wasn't serious, he just wanted to make a scene. Chris and Noel seem to get along quite well in general.

^Was it Laim? My bad. But my point is the same. Both Gallaghers slag everyon4e off, even the people they get along with. It's part of the act.:lol: All I meant was that people should take what Oasis say about other artists with agrain of salt, and not be too offended by it.

 

Noone laughed harder than Chris when he got called a plant pot at the Q awards...except maybe me.:lol:

Noel is sometimes disgusting

Live Aid didn't work

Live 8 didn't work

Live Earth won't work.

 

It will take more than a bunch of artists singing songs at a big concert to make change happen.

agreed, its simply a day for music lovers to see their favourite acts when in reality the majority of the musicgoers aren't even arsed about global warming