Raising awareness is always a good thing

But I'm pretty certain that many people already knew there was mass poverty around the world anyway. How about raising awareness of the role of G8 countries in exploiting the third world? How about raising awareness of the role of G8 countries in supporting third world dictatorships? How about raising awareness of the strings attached to debt relief? How about raising awareness of where aid really ends up (usually back in the hands of multi-nationals and arms companies)? But, alas, Geldof, Bono, Ure, etc. have curtailed that debate.

The money raised in 1985 did so much good that 20 years later we need Live 8. What it did do was allow first world governments to spend a little bit less. The organisers of Live 8 at least seem to have realised that, as they appear not to want money this time round. They are now at least demanding it from the G8. That can do some good, if only in the short term, but unless our economical relationship with Africa (and other poverty striken areas of the world) changes radically then a very old Geldof will be organising something similar in 20 and 40 years time.

Posted By: BerlinCanary, Jul 2, 19:49:05