Weekly Update: Highlights from Kiribati, Africa's Green Revolution and A Night in DC
Discussing the success of Africa's Green Revolution and the potential for the continent to become the world's breadbasket, highlights from Kiribati and upcoming events.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
After almost 24 hours spent in transit, both by boat and in flight – from Tarawa, Kiribati, to Nadi, Fiji, to a layover in LA – I’m finally back here in New York (for now!). I have much to share from the trip, and hope to include highlights in next week’s newsletter, once I’ve recovered from the jetlag and all the traveling!
In the meantime, I’ll leave you with this twitter thread on some of the recent highlights from Kiribati! And as always if you like these updates please forward them onto others and subscribe if you haven’t done so already.
Unlocking the Potential: How Africa's Green Revolution is Changing the Game for Food Security
To keep me company on my travels I've been reading an excellent book by Professor Glenn Denning called "Universal Food Security." One chapter, in particular, blew my mind – it's all about the Green Revolution.
You see, a long time ago, people thought that the world was going to run out of food because there were too many people and not enough land to grow crops. But then, something amazing happened during the mid to later parts of the 20th Century. A scientist named Norman Borlaug came up with a way to increase crop production, especially rice, without using a lot of land. This was called the Green Revolution, and it saved over a billion lives from starvation, particularly in particularly in Asia and Latin America.
What's even more amazing, if little known, is that Africa had its own Green Revolution between 2004 and 2019, and it was, on some measures, even more successful than the one in Asia. In fact, cereal production in Africa increased by a whopping 76% during that time, compared to Asia's increase of 62% during the first 15 years of Asia’s Green Revolution.
Now, it didn't happen exactly the same way as it did in Asia. Africa's increase in production wasn't just because they were able to produce more on the same amount of land. They also had to use more land, which can cause its own environmental problems. But the point is, it shows what's possible when people get the right support, access to markets, and better seeds.
It illustrates not only how Africa can meet its own food needs, but how it also has the potential to become the world's breadbasket. It's incredible to think about what we can accomplish when we work together and believe in what's possible.
This is why I strongly support organizations like the International Fund of Agricultural Development. They help farmers get the resources they need to increase their crop production, like money, high-quality seeds, and tools. By doing this, farmers can grow more crops on the land they already have, which is really important.
The Return of Global Citizen NOW
If you follow Global Citizen on any of its social media platforms (and you should!), you’ll have seen that this week saw the announcement of Global Citizen NOW, with more details on participants, including co-chairs of the event.
The confirmed co-chairs include long-time Global Citizen supporters Chris Martin and Hugh Jackman. Additional Co-Chairs Include: Ursula von der Leyen, Mia Mottley, Erna Solberg, Stefan Löfven, Hans Vestberg, Nir Bar Dea, Fran Katsoudas, Chris Stadler, Marc Pritchard, Diego Scotti, Tshepo Mahloele, Edward Skyler, Dr. Rajiv Shah, Mark Malloch Brown, and Darren Walker. Participants include: Anjula Acharia, Nat Kwabena Adisi (Bola Ray), Maggie Baird, Portia Blunt, David Droga, Sabrina Elba, Pamela Fletcher, Phoebe Gates, C.D. Glin, Dr. Patrick Gruber, Prabal Gurung, Liya Haile, Daniel Humm, Letitia James, Nicole LaPointe Jameson, Alvaro Lario, Emmanuel Macron, Peter McGuinness, Catherine McKenna, Bridget Moynahan, Vanessa Nakate, Antonio Nuño, Amanda Seales, Alok Sharma, Yasmine Sherif, Abena Soreno, Gary Vaynerchuk, Elizabeth Wathuti, Zouera Youssoufou, and more to be announced.
If you’re in NYC and have been invited, make sure you RSVP via the unique link in your invite - looking forward to seeing many of you there! If you haven’t been invited, but are keen to learn more, please reach out to victor.grau@globalcitizen.org.
A Night in DC: Financing the Future
For those of you in the DC area, I’d like to invite you to a reception I’ll be co-hosting with Australian Ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd. Taking place on the sidelines of the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings, this 2 hour reception will be an opportunity to champion the need for more and better development and climate financing to tackle the multiple crises facing LMICs and to highlight the opportunities in 2023 to make progress.
The event will take place on Thursday April 13, from 6 to 8pm. If you’re keen to attend, please RSVP directly to filmona.hailemichael@globalcitizen.org. And be sure to act quickly, as spots are filling up quickly!
South Africa Impact Roadshow
Finally, for those of you in South Africa, Global Citizen will be hosting an Impact Roadshow next week (much like the one we held in NY last month for those of you who attended!), where we hope to share exciting news about our work and our projects ahead.
The event will take place on Tuesday April 4th, at 6:00pm in The Leonardo - 75 Maude St, Sandown, Sandton, 2031, Johannesburg. The reception will last approximately 2 hours, with drinks and hors d’oeuvres provided.
If you know someone who may be interested in attending, please feel free to pass along the below invite!
Global Citizen is Hiring - Come Work With Them!
Are you or someone you know passionate about Global Citizen’s mission, and want to join what will most certainly be another impactful year of action? If so, come work with them! We’re hiring for two key positions - Consultant - Impact & Private Sector Policy and Government Relations and Advocacy Manager (Germany).
If either of these are up your street, please throw your name in the hat! Or if you know someone who might be a good fit, do share across your networks.
My Weekend Reading List
The Indie-Rock Trio boygenius Returns, Confident and Connected
Biden’s Confrontation With Netanyahu Had Been Brewing for Years
Palestine advocates see opportunity in Biden-Netanyahu discord
‘A living pantry’: how an urban food forest in Arizona became a model for climate action
That’s all for this week! Hope you’re able to join us at one of the above events, and stay tuned for more of what we have in store for you all this year!
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 on a regular basis.
All best,
Mick