The ONE Campaign is an effort to rally Americans, ONE by ONE, to the cause of ending poverty in our world and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Through political action, its goal is to direct an additional ONE percent of the U.S. budget toward developmental aid in the poorest countries. Currently, less than one percent of the U.S. budget is spent on nonmilitary foreign assistance (Millennium Campaign, 2004). Increasing U.S. development assistance by just one percent of the U.S. national budget would allow major progress to be made toward meeting the Millennium Development Goals. Right now it is possible, through partnership with the poorest countries in the world, to provide what is needed — medicines, education, and infrastructure — to break the cycle of poverty. This is a life-saving effort, as over 8 million people die each year because they lack even the most basic resources.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is actively engaged in advocacy on hunger and justice issues. Now, at a key point in history, the ELCA is joining Bread for the World, the Alliance to End Hunger, and others in a coordinated effort against the injustice of extreme poverty.
ONE Lutheran is the ELCA-specific effort to promote the ONE Campaign. ONE Lutherans acting together can bring real power to this social justice movement.
The Millennium Development Goals, or MDGs, are eight interrelated targets toward the elimination of extreme poverty by 2015. More than 180 countries, including the United States, have endorsed the goals, which include:
1. Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
2. Achieve Universal Primary Education
3. Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
4. Reduce Child Mortality
5. Improve Maternal Health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases
7. Ensure Environmental Sustainability
8. Create a Global Partnership for Development
1. Sign the declaration at www.elca.org/advocacy
2. Join the ELCA e-Advocacy Network at www.elca.org/advocacy
3. Tell a friend about the campaign
4. Wear a wristband (www.elca.org/advocacy
to order)
5. Learn more about the campaign at www.elca.org/advocacy