The One Campaign (stylized as “ONE”) is an international, nonpartisan nonprofit advocacy organization that aims to combat extreme poverty, preventable disease, and injustice, particularly in Africa. Founded in 2004 by a coalition of individuals that included musician and activist Bono, The ONE Campaign emerged from the earlier charitable organization ONE, which was established in 2002 to focus on debt relief for developing nations.
Mission and Objectives
The organization’s stated mission is to "end extreme poverty and preventable disease, especially in Africa." Its strategic objectives include:
- Influencing public policy and political leaders to increase funding for health, development, and humanitarian assistance.
- Mobilizing public opinion and grassroots support through campaigns, petitions, and media outreach.
- Partnering with other NGOs, governments, and private-sector entities to promote evidence‑based interventions in areas such as HIV/AIDS treatment, malaria control, and education.
Key Activities
The ONE Campaign conducts a range of activities to achieve its goals:
- Advocacy and Lobbying: Engages with legislators and policy makers in the United States, United Kingdom, and other countries to secure increased budget allocations for foreign aid and to shape legislation related to debt relief, trade, and health funding.
- Public Campaigns: Organizes annual “ONE Campaign” mobilizations, includes digital petitions, social‑media initiatives, and public events featuring high‑profile advocates.
- Research and Publications: Produces policy briefs, reports, and data‑driven analyses on development indicators, often in collaboration with research institutions and partner NGOs.
- Coalition Building: Works within broader coalitions such as the Global Fund, Gavi, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework.
Governance and Funding
The organization is governed by a board of directors that includes leaders from business, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector. The CEO (as of 2023) is [name], overseeing a staff of several hundred. Funding derives from a mix of individual donations, major gifts from foundations, corporate partnerships, and revenue from fundraising events. Financial reports are publicly disclosed and audited annually.
Notable Campaigns and Impact
- Debt Relief Advocacy (2005‑2010): Contributed to the passage of the U.S. HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) Initiative and subsequent debt‑cancellation measures.
- Global Fund Funding Increases: Supported campaigns that resulted in U.S. and international commitments exceeding US $48 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
- #StopEbola and COVID‑19 Initiatives: Mobilized resources and public attention to emergency health responses during the 2014 Ebola outbreak and the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Criticism and Controversies
The ONE Campaign has faced criticism regarding its reliance on high‑profile celebrity advocacy, with some scholars questioning the depth of engagement with local communities in target regions. The organization has responded by emphasizing partnerships with grassroots NGOs and by increasing transparency in its decision‑making processes.
Affiliations
ONE is part of the larger ONE Network, which includes subsidiaries such as ONE.org (the digital platform for activism) and regional affiliates in Europe, Canada, and the United States. It collaborates with entities such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization.
References
(Encyclopedic entries are derived from publicly available sources, including the organization’s annual reports, legislative records, and independent media coverage.)
