On Tuesday we had our very first monthly action call for 2011 which was entitled ‘1.4 Billion Reasons to end extreme poverty: inspiring your community to join the fight’. This was a call to grassroots activists to host a screening of the Global Poverty Project’s 1.4 Billion Reasons DVD presentation in their local community and to use the film as a catalyst to recruit new Results activists. Please click here to listen to a recording of the call.
Our special guest speaker was Elisha London, UK Country Manager at the Global Poverty Project. Elisha spoke to us about what the 1.4 Billion Reasons DVD is, how it came into being and why it is such an effective tool to use in inspiring others to join in the fight to eradicate extreme poverty.
About the Global Poverty Project the 1.4 Billion Reasons DVD
The Global Poverty Project is a community education group that aims to increase awareness of extreme poverty and to inspire people all over the world into action against it. The 1.4 Billion Reasons DVD is a 45-60 minute presentation which clearly, simply and profoundly explains the reality of extreme poverty and what can be done about it. The presentation has been travelling the world since its launch in 2008 and has been shown to over 100,000 people. Elisha explained that the DVD clearly coveys the magnitude of the issue: that 1.4 billion people are cuirrently living in extreme poverty and that this just ‘isn’t right’. You may watch the trailer for the DVD here.
What makes the DVD an effective tool?
Elisha states that the DVD relays this message in a unique and personal manner, giving the suffering of millions a human face, beyond the recital of mere statistics.
The DVD clearly discusses the problems faced in the fight against poverty and provides proven, practical solutions to these problems. It goes on to disect these issues in turn, then provides effective actions that we can all take in our lives to start making a change in the fight against poverty.
Following Elisha’s presentation a very lively discussion developed and the grassroots activists shared their ideas on how and where they intend to show the DVD in their respective communities.
They were reminded that the DVD is a powerful call to action and that a screening presents an excellent opportunity to recruit new members to their REULTS groups. They were also reminded that additional resources are available on our website on how to host community events and responses to popular questions about aid in general and the Global Poverty Project’s DVD pack, which contains template flyers, posters, responses to FAQs and much more. All of these resources will be very useful when preparing to hold an event.
If you would like to take action and join with Results UK to show the 1.4 Billion Reasons DVD in your local community, whether at home with your friends and family, to your colleagues, or at your local church or club, please do get in touch with us by emailing Felix Jakens and we will be happy to assist you in getting started.
RESULTS UK - The Power to End Poverty 