Bono Launches Hunger Project

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Bono Launches Hunger Project

October 1, 2008

By April Drew

A FORMAL press launch of Ireland’s Hunger Task Force report at the UN in New York on Thursday, September 25, ended up with world leaders and rock stars poking fun at each other.

The launch of the detailed report outlining the Irish government’s establishment of a Hunger Task Force was due to kick off at 8 a.m.

Minutes before the clock struck eight, dignitaries from around the world began to spill into the Ecosoc chamber of the UN. Some joined their colleagues in seats while others stood around chatting informally.

The task force, which met several times in Cork, Dublin and Malawi, was set up by the Irish government last year to pinpoint how Ireland can best play a role in alleviating global hunger.

Fifteen Irish and international experts were chosen to recommend various actions to strengthening the government’s aid programs and partnerships to tackle food shortages, specifically in Africa.

A few minutes past eight a door on the right opened, and this time a Dublin man sporting a pair of trendy jeans and orange sunglasses entered the auditorium. Heads slowly began to turn while men and women in suits shared quiet nods and smiles.

It was true. Bono, the world’s most famous rock star and humanitarian, had entered the building, and it wasn’t to sing. Several years ago he joined his fellow Irish musician Bob Geldof in a plight to fight world hunger.

Bono was in the midst of likeminded people who were all present on Thursday morning in the chamber for the same reason — to advance Ireland’s commitment in finding a solution to global starvation.

As Bono made his way to his seat, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen arrived into the room accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin and Minister of State for Overseas Development Peter Power.

They took their seats beside economist and professor Jeffery Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and special adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.

The audience heard from the entire panel, and each reiterated the importance of Ireland’s commitment to do its part in eradicating world hunger.

A little before 8:30 a.m. Ki-Moon, the Korean successor to Kofi Annan, sailed into the room and took his seat beside Bono. Ki-Moon stayed for less than five minutes, but did manage to thank Ireland for “doing their part.”

Smiling at Bono as he got up to leave, Ki-Moon quoted one of U2’s songs, “Today is a ‘Beautiful Day’ so don’t let it get away,” and he left the room.

Making a joke when it was his turn to talk, Bono said he wasn’t “into speaking unless the secretary-general had left.”

He continued, “He often weeps and cries. He gets very emotional,” adding that Ki-Moon is “is the quietest storm that ever blew into town.”

Continuing with his comedic stretch, Bono said that some people at the UN thought Cowen was a Buddhist.

“When they hear the word tao-shock they think you’re a Buddhist leader,” he laughs.

After acknowledging Geldof, Bono poked fun at the Boomtown Rats front man by “congratulating” him on shaving and wearing a suit.

Geldof, slouched over a UN table and chewing gum, pointed his index finger at Bono and made a rude gesture suggesting that his friend was a, well . . . not something very nice.

Geldof, who found it difficult to sit straight, began to slowly slouch more into his chair, finally resting his head fully on the table. While Cowen spoke about Ireland’s commitment to doing its part in the global hunger crises, Geldof appeared to be sleeping.

Speaking to Irish reporters after the launch, Bono said the task force was critical in “the government’s commitment in moving ahead.”

Said Bono on the Irish government’s promise to make 0.7% of their GNP available for overseas aid, “It will be an unbelievably difficult thing to do because of the current economic instability,” but full faith in the Irish government, Bono said, “if and when they achieve it would be a heroic effort in my view.”

When asked about his talk with vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin the night before, Bono sidetracked slightly and spoke about his previous meetings with the presidential candidates on the subject.

“Knowing all the others, and knowing Obama and his commitment I was very curious to meet with Palin. When John McCain said she wanted to come to the meeting I was very pleased. But because of gridlock in the city here we ended up on a phone conversation,” he said.

Saying he really “hasn’t a clue” what Palin’s views are on world hunger, he did say her and McCain’s interest was “incredible in a way because it shows they care about these things.”

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