Bono's ONE

I have found another excellent webiste:  ONE (http://www.one.org/us/actnow/) co-founded by Bono.  It is yet another example of a grassroots movement aimed at ending poverty and preventable diseases, with a goal to "achieve change through advocacy" by working with policy-makers and activists .  This non-partisan organization focuses particularly on poverty in Africa.  However, their emphasis is not charity, rather ONE emphasizes "justice and equality."

According to the website:

"How does ONE's advocacy work?

ONE members mobilize at key moments - when a critical piece of legislation is up for a vote in Congress, or when world leaders gather at important summits like the G8, or when an emergency occurs like the global food crisis. Online at ONE.org and working on the ground in local communities, ONE members take action to ensure the issues of the poorest of the poor - issues that can often go unnoticed - are heard by our neighbors and addressed by our leaders. By taking part in ONE Sabbath, churches, temples, synagogues and mosques will make a vital contribution to this movement and make a difference in the fight against poverty and disease."

This site offers opportunities to become actively involved in the fight against poverty, as well providing a wealth of information on the key global issues impacting poverty. This interactive site provides opportunities to:  lobby Congress, encourage local media participation, and recruit and organize other indviduals to help spread the efforts of this movement.  You could do something as simple as writing a letter or making a call to your representative or wearing a ONE t-shirt.  Also, if you are interested in having a better understanding as to the causes of global poverty, ONE provides clear and concise information on issues such as:  AIDS/HIV, Climate and Development, Water and Sanitation, Debt Cancellation, etc.

I find ONE to be a very interactive and user-friendly site with a very appealing design.  It also taps into the power of social media;  ONE has a blog and can be found on Facebook, Twitter, & MySpace.  It even allows people to subscribe via RSS for One Blog, What Were Reading, and Policy News to help member stay up to date with current issues affecting this movement.

For those of you who feel convicted that poverty is more than a social issue, rather the issues of justice and equality are spiritual in nature, this website even provides a means for you to involve your congregation or a small group within your congregation, through the ONE SABBATH.  Although ONE is a secular group "it has deep roots in the faith community."

Here is yet just one more opportunity to explore how to strengthen and to apply your own Power of Only One.  I highly recommend you check out this sight for yourself.  I plan to spend even more time on it myself, especially exploring the wealth of information it provides.  I think not only will the Power of Only One Blog benefit, but also my students will have a richer and better understanding of global issues as I become an even more informed teacher (and private citizen).  Looks like I have found another site/blog to add to the Blog Roll.

--Power of Only One