Global Citizen Live is a global phenomenon, featured over 70 artists, in 24 hours, and occurring in 7 continents. Its purpose: “Once in a generation festival to defend the planet and defeat poverty.”
On September 25th, The Global Citizen Live event took place in locations all around the world, such as New York City, Seoul, London, Rio de Janeiro and so on. The unifying event is one like none other, bringing together countless world-changers and millions of individuals who all believe in the power of joyful giving.
The event brings together a wide variety of music artists, politicians and activists to help unite people for a greater cause, to save our planet from hunger and destruction. This year featured notable guests and celebrities included Jennifer Lopez, Elton John, Prince Harry and Meghan, Lorde, Cyndi Lauper, Padma Lakshmi, Demi Lovato, Tan France, Alessia Cara, BTS, Lizzo, Coldplay, Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes, 5SOS, Billie Eilish, Black Eyed Peas, Charlie Puth, Camilo and many others.
Photo: Global Citizen on Facebook
The New York event opened up with award-winning actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas and French journalist Denis Brogniart. According to Brogniart, “In October the world leaders will gather in Rome for the G20 Summit and today is a day for Global Citizens to come together and let those leaders know the time for action is now.” Following that statement, Chopra stated,
“We have seen what can happen when the world works together” and that, “It’ll only be by working together that we can move the world.”
Photo: Global Citizen on Instagram
The event had a goal of 350 million dollars in order to help the many people in need around the globe. Within the first 6 hours, Global Citizen raised 97 million dollars to support struggling nations and to help create better standings for our planet.
“It is through language that we can become equals.”
– Don Milani.
The entire event brought happiness to people around the world using this idea of worldwide language. Being able to gather in enormous crowds and listen to classic songs gives back this sense of unity.
Through their music, artists like Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Nile Rodgers, Cyndi Lauper, BTS and more, gave viewers that feeling of normalcy. The feeling that we’ve all missed throughout our time indoors.
Photo: Global Citizen on Facebook
The event had a brilliant image of diversity. One of the best examples is Coldplay’s performance. The band encouraged many guests to perform alongside them. Guests such as the talented Chinese pianist named Lang Lang, an outstanding Zambian singer named Esther Chungu, Billie Eilish and Shawn Mendes.
Here is some background information and how you can become involved!
What is Global Citizen?
Global Citizen is an organization founded in 2008 that is focused on creating a “movement of engaged citizens who are using their collective voice to end extreme poverty by 2030.” The movement engages citizens to help create a change by taking action. For example, contacting officials to help end poverty or by sharing certain posts on social media platforms.
According to the Global Citizen’s website, “Since 2011, millions of Global Citizens around the world have taken over 24 million actions to targeting world leaders to end extreme poverty by 2030. To date, the actions by our global community, along with our high level advocacy efforts and with our partners, have resulted commitments and policy announcements from leaders, valued at over $48 billion that have impacted more than 880 million people by 2030.”
How can you get involved or have a chance of attending the next event?
- Get involved in community events
- Send your local politicians the message that we need them to advocate for change
- Reduce your carbon footprint
- Use less plastic
- Stick to reusable items
- Plant trees
- Recycle more often
- Avoid littering
To have a chance of attending a future event, Global Citizen has an app that people can download and earn points by completing tasks. Those points are then used to enter a raffle for tickets to the event. Then finally, hope you are part of the lucky winners!
At the end of the event, Global Citizen announced an earning of 1.1 billion dollars to fight poverty, an initiative to plant 157 million trees to help defend our planet and redistribute over 60 million COVID-19 vaccines to help protect those who lack access to healthcare around the world.
The time is now to take action to help save the world we all love and strive for change around the globe!
