1.4 Billion Reasons, presented by the Global Poverty Project

With Hugh Evans, former Young Australian of the Year

Wednesday 5 August 2009
Allan Scott Auditorium

Jointly presented by the Global Poverty Project and the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre

One billion and 400 million people continue to live in extreme poverty. The mere idea of 1.4 billion impoverished people can seem like an insurmountable situation. It is not. Significant progress has been made already but more needs to be done to achieve the Eight Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

The global poverty project is catalysing the global movement to end extreme poverty.

Through thought provoking presentations, audiences will be challenged to pledge simple changes to their lifestyles that will in turn, help end the poverty cycle.

A simple yet ground-breaking presentation is travelling the world, inspiring and empowering audiences in its path. Based on leading research the 90 minute presentation clearly articulates the facts of extreme poverty and how by making simple changes everyone can be a part of the solution.

Compelling and challenging, the presentation will move audiences to take action and become a part of the movement to end extreme poverty.

Endorsements:
"This project is inspiring"  Hugh Jackman, Australian actor and GPP Ambassador

"We strongly support this initiative" Salil Shetty, Director, United Nations Millennium Campaign.

"We're impressed particularly by the very practical approach towards mobilising communities and policy makers around the world so that they can take practical and measurable steps to combat poverty." Achmat Dangor, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Hugh Evans - Director, Global Poverty Project:

Hugh Evans is 26 years old and has already earned the enviable reputation of international humanitarian.

At 14 years old Hugh began his humanitarian work travelling to the Philippines as an ambassador for World Vision.

In 2001 Hugh returned from South Africa as World Visions inaugural Youth Ambassador and founded the Oaktree Foundation, Australia's only entirely youth run aid and development agency. Since 2003 the Oaktree Foundation has raised over $2 million providing educational opportunities to over 40,000 young people in Africa and South-East Asia.

Since stepping down from the Oaktree Foundation in 2008 Hugh took on the role of co-chair for the inaugural Youth 2020 Summit in Canberra and has continued his studies at Cambridge University as a Monash Scholar.

Hugh has led many advocacy campaigns which have included illuminating the sails of the Sydney Opera House as well as the Make Poverty History concert involving major Australian artists as well as U2 front man Bono and Pearl Jam. From his humanitarian and leadership roles Hugh has received numerous awards including being named Young Australian of the Year 2004, Junior Chamber Young Person of the World Award in 2005 and in 2006 was the recipient of the 'Free Your Mind' award - a title he also shares with Burmese human rights activist Aung San Suu Kyi.

While the views presented by speakers within the Hawke Centre public program are their own and are not necessarily those of either the University of South Australia or The Hawke Centre, they are presented in the interest of open debate and discussion in the community and reflect our themes of: strengthening our democracy - valuing our cultural diversity - and building our future