If all the musicians that took part in the second Live Aid concert ...?

Question

... donated 5% of their total wealth to African causes would it make a differrence and in how far would it help to realize Bono's dream of eradicating poverty in Africa?
And how much would that mean Bono himself would have to donate?
Just wondering like ...

Answer 1

It wouldn't help much! Way less than any of us would expect at least. The thing is that the poverty in Africa is one aspect of what is wrongly going on over there. But mostly the hunger in Africa is not an isolated cause. It is very intrinsically interwoven with our western life styles. It is part of how this world behaves towards others.

It would surely be a simplicity to think that Africa's problems would be solved with money. Even if we would bring all the money of the world there it would likely not solve an iota. Africa not only suffers from people personally living in hunger and poverty, it's business network is also very poor. Infra structure is poor and as soon as it may be developed the condition of most cars is poor. And the list goes on!

To solve or to begin to solve African problems it would require world wide involvement. Not strange because the whole world is involved with Africa whenever there is a gain. It still is for a lot of raw products the world's biggest. At the same time, if and when Africa gets developed it will surely progress into a market party other than providing the rest of the world with raw materials. At the same time it will stop a big part of the flow in of Africans in Europe mainly. Soon as conditions improve it will likely boost the economy of the entire planet. So even if the pure donations will not make any of a big difference, good planning and foresight will make positive changes. Then of course there has to be willingness.

I've been to Africa and to India and couldn't help feeling ashamed and guilty that whether I choose to be or not, whether I liked to be or not I am partially cause of their problems. I do eat chocolate! I do eat exotic fruits from exclusive for export plantations. I did buy gold and diamonds. And none of that goes to Africans but straight into the pockets of western companies of which I used to have shares in my portfolio. So no matter what most of us think of Africa we do all benefit from the continent but there is little reciprocity. That should change. Or do you still like to see these images of impoverished people looking at you with their hungry eyes that ask questions that we rather not hear?

Answer 2

I can't remember the source but it was in response to a similar point - could poverty be ended by spreading the wealth evenly, with an eye on millionaires and billionaires. The answer was that it would make no impact at all even though it sounds like an awful lot of money flying around. The problem in Africa may need radical control of their Government, population and climate before any signs of appreciable improvement will happen.

Answer 3

Their just hypocrites, frankly.

Lets look at some facts. They stole the limelight from the Make Poverty History campaign, the biggest attempt to sway the government in British History. Many even made money from the affair..Bob Geldofs own advertising corporation made millions from the gig, none of which went to African poverty.

Plus, left-wing politics has known for years that throwing money at Africa, as the likes of the 'Billionaires for Justice' suggest, just does not work. This 'New' idea of trade justice has been ignoed for the past decade.

Lastly, the sheer fact that these supposed charitible lot are somehow giving loads is complete toss. All could afford to give MILLIONS to help the cause, but they wont, unless their PR men can make something of it.



Basically, my friend, i cant even take them seriously.

Answer 4

Gates and others just donated billions.That will help without bonos 5%.He a good man for his charity work and putting the word out there.

Answer 5

Bono is a douche. If you think Bono really wants to end poverty, you're wrong. He knows this helps sell albums for his crappy band.

Answer 6

I suppose it could make some difference, not even the corrupt governments and companies of Africa could absorb that much money without some of it leaking into the economy.

Better to take action yourself: put one item from a 'Fairtrade' selection in your basket when you shop at your local supermarket, the little extra you pay goes direct to the native producers in the prices paid by your supermarket.

Answer 7

yes Bono and Angelina Jolie donate alot to poverty in Africa and other places. HORRAY for Angelina Jolie and Bono.

Answer 8

the leaders of the african countries in general are all corrupt,so they would say Bono donated 25p

Answer 9

F*ck Bono, Geldof, and Africa. Africans have only themselves to blame. WE don't force their governments to spend all their money on guns and landmines, do we? Let them starve.

Answer 10

That's how I can judge their sincerity about the causes they claim to support. So far, I rarely hear of a celebrity matching donations of any degree.