Live 8
It came, it went -- the euphoria is over. It cost a lot of money to put on -- some rough figures put it around $10 million -- but it raked in $100 million in funds for Africa. It was probably bigger than Live Aid. The celebrity turnout was unprecedented -- there were the musicians, some band reunions, some new, some old. There were actors and actresses. There were people like Bill Gates and Nelson Mandela. Everybody it seems had a message to send to the G8 leaders. Did they hear? Are they putting on the pretence of hearing?
Promises were made to increase aid funding to Africa -- and cancel debts owed. There were statements made about controlling the proliferation of armed conflicts, renewing efforts to reduce famine and focus on health. Basically the same stuff that was promised in the past -- granted the amounts have changed -- but did the G8 countries deliver on the promises of the past as they make more for the future? No, not really.
I'm generally cynical, but I'm holding out hope that Live 8 wasn't just another party. Time will tell if promises are kept, and if the few that actually want to do something gain any ground on the endless fight. In the meantime, in case you missed the concert, you can catch the shows online, as documented by Ian Daye.
For comprehensive coverage of the 2005 G8 Summit, check out this BBC site. The Live 8 website is still up if you want to see what the fuss was all about -- and the BBC has a look back at Live Aid for those that weren't around the first time this was done. For a serious look at why Africa needs our help, check out the Make Poverty History site.
Promises were made to increase aid funding to Africa -- and cancel debts owed. There were statements made about controlling the proliferation of armed conflicts, renewing efforts to reduce famine and focus on health. Basically the same stuff that was promised in the past -- granted the amounts have changed -- but did the G8 countries deliver on the promises of the past as they make more for the future? No, not really.
I'm generally cynical, but I'm holding out hope that Live 8 wasn't just another party. Time will tell if promises are kept, and if the few that actually want to do something gain any ground on the endless fight. In the meantime, in case you missed the concert, you can catch the shows online, as documented by Ian Daye.
For comprehensive coverage of the 2005 G8 Summit, check out this BBC site. The Live 8 website is still up if you want to see what the fuss was all about -- and the BBC has a look back at Live Aid for those that weren't around the first time this was done. For a serious look at why Africa needs our help, check out the Make Poverty History site.
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