In accordance with the ONE campus challenge, Drake’s chapter of ONE is hosting “ONE Night of Living Proof.” The event is the first of many that challenges college campuses to use their voices to advocate for the world’s poorest.
“ONE Night of Living Proof” will be held at Pomerantz Stage tonight at 7:30 p.m. The event involves a short film screening as well as a discussion of issues going on around the world.
“I think it is important for students, faculty and staff to see the ‘Living Proof’ video because the video does a great job of demonstrating the incredible progress being made in the developing world – all for under 1 percent of the U.S. budget,” said senior Colton Davis, co-president of ONE at Drake.
Davis helped in the compilation of the video when he interned with ONE in Washington D.C. over the summer. He said the process of compiling the clips took the interns several weeks to complete and is a project that they are all very proud of.
“The ‘Living Proof’ material is like nothing of its kind,” Davis said. “The Drake community should feel somewhat lucky because no one else has seen this short video, not even ONE’s (chief executive officer).”
The original premiere of the video was supposed to be in Washington D.C. over the summer, but an alternative video was shown in its place. Drake students have the opportunity to see this exclusive video at the “ONE Night of Living Proof” event and receive a free ONE water bottle. Following the video, students will have the opportunity to talk with ONE members and discuss the issues that the film addresses.
“This short video is dedicated to showcasing stories of survivors,” Davis said. “It tells the stories of mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters alike who have been deeply affected by the cost-effective programs that we at ONE support.”
In addition to the “Living Proof” challenge, Drake ONE members will be completing a series of challenges throughout the semester. Upcoming events include an agricultural challenge, a budget challenge and the World AIDS Day challenge. Each challenge asks for students to use their voices as a powerful tool to affect change.
The agricultural challenge encourages members to live on $1.50 a day, an amount that nearly a billion humans have to spend on food, transportation and water each day. During this time, members are also encouraged to contact senators to urge them to support bills that promote agricultural programs abroad.
The budget challenge focuses on direct communication with Congress members, asking them to support a larger percent of the budget dedicated to foreign aid. Currently in the U.S., less than 1 percent of the budget is delegated to foreign aid programs. These programs are the reason why there has been a significant decrease in the spread of diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
The World AIDS Day challenge asks that campus members commit to hosting an event that centers on World AIDS Day and raising AIDS awareness.
