Aiming to raise awareness for global equality, The Global Citizen Festival invites artists, world leaders and citizens from around the world to unite to beat poverty and defend the planet. Organized by Global Citizen, the charity working to end extreme poverty by 2030, The Global Citizen Festival will be one of the largest international charity events to date. With this event, the charity aims not to generate financial income, but to prove to world leaders that people support courageous actions on these issues with massive participation.
The Global Citizen community said in a statement, “The festival, which takes place on six continents; “It will bring together citizens who invite governments, corporations and philanthropists to work together to defend our planet and defeat poverty.” He called on international governments to plant 1 billion trees, distribute 1 billion vaccines to the poorest countries, and donate food to 41 million people on the brink of famine. Tickets for the shows were distributed free of charge, randomly selected among people who registered on the Global Citizen application and shared on social media. People who have a negative covid test and who have been vaccinated will be able to attend the concerts.
The festival started in Paris
The event kicked off with Elton John’s performance in front of the Eiffel Tower on Saturday. Ed Sheeran, Black Eyed Peas and Stormzy will also perform in Paris. Other artists present at the event include Stevie Wonder in Los Angeles, Billie Eilish, Coldplay and Jennifer Lopez in New York. Many artists such as Green Day, Kylie Minogue and Andrea Bocelli will also contribute to the event with their pre-recorded performances.
“The way you were born should not determine your ability to survive,” Harry, Duke of Sussex, performing on stage in New York’s Central Park, told the audience. Duke Harry of Sussex and Duchess Prince Meghan Markle have called for access to COVID-19 vaccines to be treated as a “fundamental human right”.
Donations received from the authorities
The Global Citizen Festival brought together musicians, actors, celebrities and world leaders for a global call against inequality. Fund announcements were made frequently throughout the festival. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, supported the festival, which is held simultaneously on 6 continents, and called on world leaders to unite and end vaccine inequality. “We cannot ignore this massive inequality, we are now facing a two-way epidemic of ‘rich and poor’,” said President Ghebreyesus.
USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced that the United States will contribute $295 million to eradicate poverty, confront gender-based violence and meet the humanitarian needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic. French President Emmanuel Macron has promised to double the number of coronavirus vaccines he will send to poor countries, to 120 million. International companies such as Lego, Cisco and Verizon have also pledged donations.
To watch the festival live:
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