With the G7 meeting right around the corner, several NGOs put together an event in Munich to ask the heads of governments to act on the issue of poverty. Their declared goal is to end extreme poverty unit 2030. To make people, and especially the decision-makers meeting in Elmau, aware of their demands, the event was supported by German and international politicians and stars, who came together on the Königsplatz right in the heart of Munich.
Unfortunately, the event was very badly promoted. I only heard about it through a friend about a week before and I believe that many people did not know about it at all. I guess that was the main reason why, instead of the 17.000 people the organizers expected to be there, there were only a few hundred, which was very sad, especially with regards to the cause!
Still the event went ahead as planned with German comedian Michael Mittermeier and host Shary Reeves presenting, Austrian singer Claudia Koreck or German TV-star Jan Josef Liefers’ Band “Radio Doria” playing and people like Mandela’s grandson Kweku Mandela, German actor Katja Riemann or Liberia’s president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf talking. There were also video messages from Bono of U2 and Herbert Grönemeyer. In-between these more famous people, all participating NGOs presented their missions. Some also brought people with them who had been helped by their organization and could talk about the conditions they had faced in their country. Although we all know stories like these, it is shocking again and again, especially if you hear these accounts personally.
The highlight came with Usher arriving on stage. Unfortunately, he did not perform but talked about his charity work. Through his “New Look” foundation, he fights for the education of children. He’s also involved with Global Citizen. At the end of his speech, Shary Reeves challenged him to do a rap with her, so Usher did some beatboxing and Reeves rapped. Afrojack finished the show with some DJing.
Altogether, the event was a great cause, although the burning sun didn’t make it easy to stand for hours. However, there was one fact that irritated me a lot: As the event already started at one o’clock, at some point you needed something to eat. All we found were two food trucks, one selling hotdogs, the other one was a grill. There was not one option for vegetarians, so I had to leave the grounds to get something to eat in a nearby bakery. If I fight against hunger in the world but only offer people meat, then this shows a huge error in reasoning! I really wonder why so many people are still in denial that eating meat is not only an ethical and a health choice, but that it also affects the environment and world hunger. Go look it up if you haven’t! I think whoever really wants to fight poverty and hunger has to be aware of these facts and act accordingly. Although this left me wondering, I have to emphasize that I really admire the work these NGOs do, as well as all the volunteers who spend their time and energy to help others! It always makes me realize that we all should do so much more!
music, the world & me 