GC Now New York May 1-2, London Calling, and Developing Countries at a Crossroads
Make sure you're registered if you want to attend this week's Global Citizen Now in New York, plus I preview some upcoming events in London next month
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Firstly, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible support we've received for the book. Your reviews and messages have truly meant the world to me. If you haven't had a chance to share your thoughts yet, I would be immensely grateful for your review on Amazon or other related site. Its one of the best ways to support first time authors like me to gain traction. I also have a couple of book events coming up in London on May 16th and May 17th, details below. And I have a virtual book talk this Tuesday for anyone who has missed my current events!
As I gear up for the hustle and bustle of GC NOW this coming week, I wanted to send along a few updates. So grab your coffee and let's dive in! Oh... and be sure to check out the Global Citizen social media accounts around 10am NYC / 5pm Nairobi time this Monday for some exciting news about one of our next big events on the African continent in support of economic development.
GC Now New York is ON, see you there?
The third iteration of Global Citizen NOW New York will occur this week - there’s only a few spots left, so it’s crucial to RSVP now if you’ve received your invite. This year’s summit will focus on ideas for urgent action to achieve a world where everyone's basic needs are fulfilled, advocate for a flourishing planet, and drive toward a future where every person and country can prosper.
Check out the program here - you won’t want to miss the lineup of speakers we’ve compiled. If you haven’t received an invite yet, reach out to my colleague Kellen (kellen.edmondson@globalcitizen.org), and he’ll get you sorted.
For those of you that can’t make it in person - join us on YouTube at the times listed below.
And see you in London!
I will be traveling to London next month to co-host an event at Parliament on May 15th at 17:00 with my good friend MP Helen Grant, who currently serves as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Girls’ Education. The event will center on the intersection of girls’ education and health, with a particular focus on menstrual equity and building support on this issue ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM) later this year.
We’ll hear from Former Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg, Period Poverty Activist and founder of the Pachamama Project Ella Lambert, and Thoko Elphick-Pooley, Executive Director of Uniting to Combat NTDs.
If you’re in London on the 15th and would like to attend OR have any contacts in London you think would like to attend, please connect with Kellen (kellen.edmondson@globalcitizen.org).
On the book front, I'm grateful to some close friends for hosting two book talks while in London. Check out this one on the evening of the 16th at Lounge by the Coffee Snobs. I'll also be talking in this great breakfast conversation morning of the 17th at the Conduit.
I also have an event evening of the 14th in Geneva, from 5:30-7pm hosted by the SDGs Solution Space with opening remarks from the Australian Ambassador in Geneva. Email me if you would like to attend.
ONE Campaign: Developing Countries at a difficult crossroads
Our friends at the ONE campaign have published new analysis that shows developing countries became net contributors to the global economy last year. However, this comes at a time when debt service payments are now greater than aid and investment put together. As a result, $100bn will flow out of developing countries in 2023/24.
This is occurring at a time when extreme poverty is increasing for the first time in a generation, when hunger, climate vulnerability, and instability are increasing, and attention on global health is waning. The latest aid statistics show that 1 in 5 aid dollars never leaves the donor country.
Read the ONE campaign’s 10-point plan calling on the International Monetary Fund to take action. Solutions include crafting new solutions to the debt crisis and investing holistically in women and the environment.
Helps Global Citizen call for the liberation of these Defenders!
Together, with Global Citizen’s coalition partners CIVICUS, Global Citizen is calling for the release of Burundian journalist Floriane Irangabiye from prison - she was wrongly arrested without formal charges for peacefully exercising her human rights and her work as a journalist in speaking out against her government. Read more about Floriane’s case here and take action.
In solidarity with UK-based partner Alqst, Global Citizen is also calling for the release of Salma Al-Shehab from arbitrary detention. She was unjustly sentenced to 27 years in prison for tweeting in favor of women’s rights in Saudi Arabia. Learn more and take action on this ongoing situation here.
Speaking out for what’s right - that’s something Global Citizens do everyday through our app and other platforms. In this case, two courageous women have been wrongfully prosecuted for what should be an everyday right everywhere - that must change. Please support and help us amplify these calls!
The Kara Goldin Show
One of the key barriers to building effective coalitions, as I discuss in my book, is the "purity test." 📘
I recently explored this challenge on Kara Goldin's podcast, where I also shared insights from my latest book about “policy entrepreneurship.” In it, I highlight conversations with various policy entrepreneurs who have mastered the art of working alongside unlikely allies to achieve policy breakthroughs.
Catch the full episode here: https://bit.ly/3Jn3QQ0
Missed me so far!
Missed my book launches so far? Not to worry! New York University has you covered with a virtual book talk this Tuesday at noon EST. Join us online from anywhere in the world to dive into the discussion. Register here.
My Weekend Reading List
Battle for development cash heats up at IMF/World Bank meetings
Opinion: We need to stop telling the global south what to do
The world is becoming more religious. That matters for development
Biden signs $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
As always, if you’re enjoying the weekly newsletter format, and want even more, you can subscribe to my Substack here where I publish reviews, lists, and articles regularly.
Til next week,
Mick
PS a number of you have asked when the audible version of my book is coming. I’ve been told by the publisher that you can expect to see that on May 7th!