ONE Campaign

ONE Campaign
Name	ONE Campaign
Type	Nonprofit advocacy organization
Founded	2004
Founders	Bono, Bobby Shriver, George Clooney, Bill Gates
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Region served	Global
Focus	Poverty alleviation, public health, development

ONE Campaign ONE Campaign is an international advocacy organization formed to combat extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The group mobilizes activists, lobbies policymakers, and partners with public figures and institutions to increase funding for health, development, and humanitarian programs. It combines grassroots campaigns, policy analysis, and media outreach to influence leaders in the United States, the European Union, and multilateral institutions.

History

The organization was established in 2004 by a coalition of public figures including Bono, Paul David Hewson, Bobby Shriver, George Clooney, and philanthropists such as Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates in the context of global debates following the G8 summit and the expansion of initiatives like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Early activities intersected with campaigns by Make Poverty History and events such as Live 8, and engaged international actors including the United Nations and the World Bank. In subsequent years, the organization expanded its presence around major policy moments such as the negotiations leading to the Millennium Development Goals deadlines and the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations General Assembly. It has been active during budget negotiations in the United States Congress, during European Union aid discussions in Brussels, and at international forums including the G20 summit and meetings of the African Union.

Mission and Goals

The stated mission focuses on ending extreme poverty and preventable disease by influencing decision-makers in institutions such as the United States Department of State, the European Commission, and multilateral development banks including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group. Key goals have included increasing funding for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, supporting initiatives of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, expanding support for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and advocating for debt relief and trade policies favorable to low-income countries represented by the African Development Bank. The organization frames its objectives in alignment with international frameworks like the Paris Agreement on climate and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development advanced at the United Nations General Assembly.

Campaigns and Advocacy

Advocacy efforts have targeted legislative bodies such as the United States Congress, the European Parliament, and national parliaments in countries including United Kingdom, Germany, and France. Campaigns have centered on increased funding for global health programs like PEPFAR, immunization through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and support for the Global Fund. The organization has produced policy briefs and mobilized grassroots actions during major events such as the G8 summit, the Clinton Global Initiative meetings, and sessions of the World Health Organization. Celebrity-driven campaigns have involved collaborations with musicians, actors, and activists who also participate in forums like TED and awards ceremonies such as the Nobel Peace Prize events. The group has lobbied for trade measures affecting members of the World Trade Organization and for development finance commitments at meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group spring and annual meetings.

Organizational Structure and Leadership

The organization operates offices in capitals including Washington, D.C., London, and Paris, and maintains staff who engage with diplomatic missions to the United Nations and regional bodies such as the African Union and the European Union. The leadership has included a board of directors and an executive team that have interacted with philanthropies like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and international NGOs including Oxfam, CARE International, and Save the Children. Senior figures have testified before committees such as the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Advisory councils have featured public figures who have previously worked with institutions like the Clinton Foundation and programs such as UNAIDS.

Partnerships and Funding

Funding and partnerships have combined philanthropic support, grants, and coalition-building with organizations such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and multilateral agencies like UNICEF and World Health Organization. Major philanthropic backers have included the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and individual donors from the private sector including technology and entertainment leaders. The organization has also coordinated with advocacy networks such as Make Poverty History, policy think tanks like the Center for Global Development, and trade and development actors at the World Trade Organization. Corporate partnerships and sponsorships have involved firms with interests in global markets that intersect with development finance overseen by the International Finance Corporation.

Impact and Criticism

Supporters credit the group with contributing to increased funding for initiatives including PEPFAR, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Global Fund, and for raising public awareness through high-profile campaigns associated with events like Live 8 and advocacy at the G20 summit. Critics, including some development scholars at institutions such as London School of Economics and Oxford University, argue that celebrity-driven advocacy can oversimplify complex issues, skew priorities toward high-visibility programs, and privilege donor agendas over local civil society actors including grassroots movements across Africa and Asia. Debates have involved analyses published by think tanks like the Overseas Development Institute and commentary in outlets covering international development policy. The organization has responded by emphasizing policy research, partnerships with institutions such as the World Bank Group, and accountability measures tied to funding flows monitored at forums like the United Nations General Assembly.

Category:International development organizations