Protest songs

'The world is more malleable than you think 

and it's waiting for you to hammer it into shape.' - Bono

'Protest songs have helped shape History proving that when people come together and raise their voices extraordinary things can happen.' This is ONE's latest campaign against extreme poverty - Agit8.

Image credits: ONE.org

The ONE Campaign has joined forces with dozens of musicians from across the globe to launch agit8, an urgent call for action against extreme poverty in the crucial week leading up to the G8 summit in Northern Ireland. An extraordinary line up of artists have added their voices to the campaign by recording brand new versions of great protest songs, because protest leads to progress and bold commitments from world leaders could be life changing. Grammy Award-winning Angelique Kidjo, special adviser to agit8 said: 'The scandal of extreme poverty and the disgrace of needless child deaths really can be ended, but it won't happen without action now. Throughout history, we have seen great progress when people join forces to demand change. If enough people add their voices to the chorus of protest, world leaders will be forced to hear us and act.'

As the co-founder of ONE, Bono added: 'This week we are reminded of the words of the great agitator Nelson Mandela - 'Like slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome. Millions of people are trapped in the prison of poverty. It is time to set them free. Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation.'

Follow this LINK and discover what are the songs that changed the world. In addition to that check out this beautiful performance of 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' by U2, just for the #agit8 protest music project.

Sources: ONE, one agit8, BWW (abridged and adapted)

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On February 26th, 2013, Bono spoke at TED to show the progress in the fight against extreme poverty… and what we need to do next. Bono shares the new facts about fighting global poverty: 'Forget the rock opera, forget the bombast, my usual tricks. The only thing singing today will be the facts.'

photo credit: danny.hammontree
via photopin cc

By becoming a 'factivist', we can learn what needs to be done to end extreme poverty within the next generation. And the facts are beyond promising. Since 2000: eight million AIDS patients have been receiving retroviral drugs; mMalaria deaths have been cut in some countries by 75%; child mortality rate of kids under 5 is down by 2.65 million deaths a year; extreme poverty declined from 43% in 1990 to 33% in 2000 to 21% by 2010.

Extreme poverty has been cut in half in the last 20 years, and the facts show that we can get it to virtually zero within a generation - but only if we act. 'Let’s think about that,' he says. 'Have you read anything, anywhere in the last week that is as remotely as important as that number? It’s great news, and it drives me nuts most people don’t know this.' 'If you live on less than $1.25 a day, this is not just data. This is everything. If you’re a parent who wants the best for your kids, and I am, this rapid transition is a route out of despair and into hope.' Watch the video HERE.

In  ONE - Join the fight against extreme poverty

I couldn't finish this post without mentioning the fact that today is Bono's birthday. Yep, that's it! My favourite rock star turns 53 this very same day! Coincidentally, it is my eldest daughter's birthday, as well! So, congratulations to you both. I now leave you with a classic: With or without you!

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ONE.org

ONE.org

photo credit: World Economic Forum
via photopin cc

ONE is a grassroots advocacy and campaigning organization that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, by raising public awareness and pressuring political leaders to support smart and effective policies and programs that are saving lives, helping to put kids in school and improving futures. Co-founded by Bono and other campaigners, ONE is nonpartisan and works closely with African activists and policy makers. Backed by a movement of more than 3 million members, ONE achieves change through advocacy. They hold world leaders to account for the commitments they've made to fight extreme poverty, and they campaign for better development policies, more effective aid and trade reform. They also support greater democracy, accountability and transparency to ensure policies to beat poverty are implemented effectively. ONE is not a grant-making organization and they do not solicit funding from the general public. As they always say,'we're not asking for your money, we're asking for your voice.' 

Source: www.one.org 

(abridged and adapted)

When lecturing the topic 'Helping Others', you could ask your 10th form students to search for more information about this or any other non-profit organization, write an essay about it, and then present their project work orally. Or you could ask them to imagine they were going to interview Bono, and roleplay it. Your students could also be asked to make a prezi, a glogster or an infographic about this, in case you're a web 2.0 tools advocate. These are some of the suggestions I leave you with today.

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found pic via Google Images Search

Paul David Hewson (born 10 May 1960), most commonly known by his stage name Bono, is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian. Main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2, Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School, where he met his future wife, Alison Stewart, and the future members of U2. Bono writes almost all U2 lyrics, often using political, social, and religious themes. During their early years, Bono's lyrics contributed to U2's rebellious and spiritual tone. As the band matured, his lyrics became inspired more by personal experiences shared with members of U2.

Outside the band, he has collaborated and recorded with numerous artists, sits on the board of Elevation Partners, and has refurbished and owns The Clarence Hotel in Dublin with The Edge. Bono is also widely known for his activism concerning Africa, for which he co-founded DATA, EDUN, the ONE Campaign and Product Red. He has organised and played in several benefit concerts and has met with influential politicians. Bono has been praised and criticised for his activism and involvement with U2. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, was granted an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, and was named as a Person of the Year 2005, together with Bill Gates and his wife, by Time, among other awards and nominations. With wealth accumulated from his musical career and outside investments, Bono ranks as the world's richest entertainer.

In, Wikipedia (abridged and adapted)

For more information, go to @U2

As a huge fan of this band and an admirer of Bono's engagement against the world's poverty, I sometimes use both U2's lyrics and videos about Bono's campaigns, in class. The video below shows Bono's commitment in other areas beyond the world's poverty. 'Miss Sarajevo' is a song about the underground resistance movement, back in the war of Sarajevo (1992-1995). The American journalist Bill Carter suggested Bono the idea of filming a documentary about that movement. Not only did Bono produce the film, he also provided the funds needed to support the project. I used this video in a 10th form class about 15 years ago!!! This year, I have used the F-Word video in a 10th form class, as well. Bono and the U2 are part of my Teaching Timeline!... 

'Miss Sarajevo', from the 1995 album Original Soundtracks

Pic via Google Images Search

Picture via Google Images Search

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Person of theYear 2005, together with Bill and Melinda Gates
Found pic @ TIME Specials

Bono holds his honorary knighthood at the British ambassador's
official residence - March 2007   Photo: Reuters

Congratulations, Bono, for your 52th anniversary!... Amazingly, my eldest daughter was born 40 years later, on this same day: May 10th!... What a fantastic coincidence!...

The F-word

A suggestion for 10th form classes...

Topic: Youth and Education - Helping others

I've used this videoclip as a listening comprehension exercise with no subtitles. In spite of considering the images and the sound powerful, the students, including the strongest ones, found it hard to understand... Well, developing our skills is not necessarily easy, is it?... Being better than one might already be implies hard work, right?

In the end, the students liked the activity and understood its message. For them, the 'F' word has a new meaning!... For me, Bono will continue to be a presence in my lessons, whenever it's adequate!...

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