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ABN 50 169 561 394
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Global Poverty Project
co-founders to deliver
Red Cross Oration
Hugh Evans and Simon Moss, the co-founders of the Global Poverty Project, will
deliver a powerful call to action to improve the lives of the world’s poorest people
at this year’s Red Cross Oration, to be hosted by the University of Tasmania.
They will deliver the Global Poverty Project’s multimedia presentation, 1.4 Billion Reasons to End
Extreme Poverty, an inspiring and interactive feature designed to get the audience thinking about
what it means to live in abject poverty and give everyday people the tools and knowledge they need
to make a difference. According to the World Bank, about 20 per cent of the world’s population (1.4
billion) live on less than US$1.25 a day.
“Our vision is a world without extreme poverty within a generation,” said Mr Evans, international CEO
of the Global Poverty Project.
“1.4 Billion Reasons clearly and simply articulates the facts and demonstrates that by making simple
changes, everyone can be part of the solution.”
Building on its international success, the Global Poverty Project is in the process of training 100 young
Australians to deliver 1.4 Billion Reasons around the country as a way of building grassroots support
for action.
The Global Poverty Project, an Australian organisation, was launched just over two years ago at a High
Level meeting of the UN. It has since extended operations to New Zealand, the UK, the Netherlands
and, most recently, the US.
The Executive Director of Red Cross in Tasmania, Ian Burke, said he was thrilled that Mr Evans and Mr
Moss had accepted the invitation to deliver the annual Oration, which this year is timed to coincide
with Anti-Poverty Week (17-23 October).
“Anti-Poverty Week is even more relevant now as we deal with the impact of climate change on some
of the most vulnerable communities, both here and overseas,” Dr Burke said.
“The World Disasters Report, published last month by the International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies, urges governments to pay more attention to the risk of natural disasters in a
rapidly urbanising world faced with climate change.
“The report says that those most at risk from disasters of various sorts are the estimated one billion
people or more living in the most appalling slum conditions,” Dr Burke said.
“The good news is that there are cities in Africa, Asia and Latin America that have managed to
dramatically reduce disaster risk and adapt and build resilience to disasters, for example with a early
40 Melville Street, Hobart TAS 7000 GPO Box 211, Hobart TAS 7001
ABN 50 169 561 394
flood-warning system in Jakarta and a climate-change plan for Pune, a severely flood-prone city in
India.”
What: The Red Cross Oration – 1.4 Billion Reasons to End Extreme Poverty
When: Monday 18 October 2010 at 6pm
Where: Stanley Burbury Theatre, University of Tasmania, Churchill Avenue, Sandy Bay, Hobart
Who: Hugh Evans, International CEO, Global Poverty Project
Simon Moss, International General Manager, Global Poverty Project
Facts: Extreme Poverty at a Glance
One in nearly seven people is going hungry, despite the fact that there is more than
enough food to feed the global population
500,000 women die each year from causes related to child birth
27,000 children under the age of five die each day from preventable diseases
5000 children die from diarrhoea-related diseases every day
1.2 billion people in the world do not have a toilet
In brief:
Hugh Evans, international CEO, Global Poverty Project, was named Young Australian of the Year in
2004 and one of the 12 Outstanding Young People of the World by the Junior Chamber International
the following year. Since graduating from high school, he has worked for numerous international aid
projects in Africa and Asia, including co-founding the Oaktree Foundation, a youth-run aid
organisation that partners with developing communities.
Simon Moss, international general manager, Global Poverty Project, is a campaigner and community
building consultant who has contributed his expertise on development issues at international
conferences such as the G20, the World Economic Forum and the Clinton Global Initiative.
To interview Mr Evans on behalf of the GPP, or to interview Dr Burke on behalf of Red Cross,
please contact Kate Marshall, media adviser, on 0448 326 335
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