The One Campaign

The One Campaign
Name	The One Campaign
Founded	2004
Founders	Bono, Bobby Shriver, Elie Wiesel
Location	Washington, D.C., United States
Focus	Global health, poverty alleviation, debt relief

The One Campaign The One Campaign is an international advocacy organization that mobilizes public and political support to combat extreme poverty and preventable disease, especially in Africa. It was co-founded in 2004 by public figures and activists to influence policy debates in the United States, United Kingdom, and other countries, using celebrity advocacy, policy research, and grassroots mobilization. One emphasizes partnerships with multilateral institutions, bilateral donors, nongovernmental organizations, and faith-based groups to secure funding and legislative action on issues such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and agricultural development.

History and founding

One grew out of earlier advocacy efforts tied to debt relief movements and global health campaigns led by figures like Bono and organizations including Data for Progress and DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa). The 2004 launch followed high-profile events involving leaders from Africa, activists such as Elie Wiesel, and political allies from the United States Congress and the European Commission. Early milestones included advocacy linked to the passage of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and debt-relief agreements related to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative and discussions at summits such as the G8 and World Economic Forum. Founders engaged celebrities and policy experts to translate public pressure into legislative outcomes in national bodies like the United States Senate and the House of Commons (UK).

Mission and objectives

One's stated mission centers on accountability, increased aid effectiveness, and targeted investments in health and development sectors. The organization frames objectives around securing commitments from actors including the United States Agency for International Development, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors such as the Department for International Development (UK). Tactical goals have included boosting funding for programs under initiatives like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, supporting agricultural programs tied to the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, and advocating for transparency reforms in institutions such as the African Union and national parliaments including the Kenyan Parliament and the South African Parliament.

Campaigns and initiatives

One has launched campaigns addressing HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, and food security, often timed to influence international meetings such as the United Nations General Assembly, G20 Summit, and World Health Assembly. High-profile initiatives targeted increased resources for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and pushed for policies linked to the Millennium Development Goals and later the Sustainable Development Goals. Advocacy tools included petitions, media partnerships with outlets like BBC and CNN, and public events featuring artists who performed at benefit concerts alongside figures from Doctors Without Borders and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Campaigns also promoted legislation such as reauthorizations of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and funding packages debated in the United States Congress and the European Parliament.

Partnerships and funding

One operates through alliances with a broad spectrum of actors: international organizations like the United Nations, philanthropic entities such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, civil society groups including Amnesty International and Oxfam International, and national advocacy groups across Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Funding sources have included foundations, individual donors, and corporate partners; advisory collaborations involved research institutions like Johns Hopkins University and policy centers such as the Center for Global Development and Brookings Institution. One’s campaigning has engaged policymakers from cabinets of countries including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany, leveraging networks that intersect with multilateral development banks and agencies such as the World Bank.

Criticism and controversies

One has faced criticism from advocacy groups and scholars concerning prioritization of spending, reliance on celebrity advocacy, and approaches to aid conditionality. Critics from organizations like Oxfam International and academics affiliated with Harvard University and London School of Economics have questioned whether emphasis on vertical health programs undermines systemic health-system strengthening advocated by World Health Organization experts. Debates ensued over One’s positions on issues such as intellectual property in access to medicines, alignment with corporate partners including firms in the pharmaceutical industry, and stances during negotiations at fora like the World Trade Organization. Some activists argued that lobbying tactics favored donor-driven agendas rather than locally led development priorities promoted by bodies like the African Union.

Impact and evaluations

Evaluations of One's impact combine attribution to policy wins and contested claims about causal effects. Supporters cite contributions to increased funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, momentum behind the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and influence on donor pledges at summits such as the G20 Summit. Independent assessments by policy think tanks including the Center for Global Development and research from universities such as Columbia University have highlighted measurable gains in financing outcomes while also urging attention to governance, sustainability, and coordination with national health strategies endorsed by the World Health Organization. The organization remains a visible player in global advocacy, continuing to engage legislative bodies, philanthropic partners, and civil society networks to pursue its objectives.

Category:Non-profit organizations