I would argue that it is a good tool for getting new people who haven’t thought about poverty or taking any action before to become aware of the fact that they can do something. However, I do agree that on it’s own the video isn’t enough.

The statement at the top of the second page ‘Poverty can’t be ended overnight, or by just one person. But working together, we can see an end to extreme poverty within a generation’ does try to put it in context, but I would argue that it in fact has the opposite effect as it tell us in the video that we can make a difference and then tells us we can’t.  If that were rephrased it may be better.

If you make it through to the third page after the send it to your friends there are some good resources.  Also if you look through the Global Poverty Project’s site they’ve got a lot of good stuff, like a blog series and how to make a difference and how-to guides.  The problem I see is though that not many people after watching the video will send it on to their friends and so won’t make it to that crucial third page

It would be good sign if it really happens. But most of us don’t agree with this.

Surely thats the point of marketing like this though. Although it’s not likely to happen it is eminently possible (look at South Korea) and it’s only through things like this that we can reach that interested and yet inactive mainstream and get enough people taking action to make it a possibility. That’s what I like so much about it.

If they wanted to convey “A vision that inspires us to action, and recognizes that each of us have small, different and important roles to play in making this a reality.”  I’m afraid they failed.  This video does nothing to convey the role anyone can play toward making this a reality.

I don’t believe that I will single-handedly put an end to global poverty.  Putting my name in a video that says so doesn’t help. 

I think this could have been much more effective if the video started with the announcement of the end of extreme poverty and then continued with a more personal, individual story of how individuals contributed toward that result. If they want to include me in that, great. 

That there can be an end to extreme global poverty is an audacious statement to make.  If they believe this can be done, I applaud them for trying to get the message out.  I just wish they did it in a more effective manner.

This is a very nice article! I have just told a few of my friends about this on facebook and they love your content just as much as I do.

KIU!

Kind regards,
RTTT

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I agree as well Katya. I myself volunteer with an organization whose goal is to end global poverty as well. However, we focus more on the individuals that we are helping by posting profiles and information about the individuals. This enables a more personal connection between the lender and the entrepreneur on the receiving end. Although it is good to talk about the general vision of ending poverty (it does fuel the concept of the organization), if there is no real feeling attached to it, I feel that the goal is going to be harder to achieve.

My organization UEnd: poverty is tackling the same problem. We couldn’t agree more that the idea of ending poverty is so massive and unwieldy that it is almost automatic in it is discouragement of action.

We have found that tangibility and convenience are everything to get the message across.  For example, we ask that people spend just 5% of their annual gift giving budget towards projects that help end poverty.  Instead of buying that gift that someone really does not need or want buy them a gift card on our website (convenience factor) and let them choose where to put the funds. On the site there is a choice from a database of pre- approved projects in the developing world that work within a sustainable community development model to help end poverty for people close to the ground.  They are small budget projects which can be realistically funded by one person or a group in one year. 
It works for us.  Check it out at www.uend.org.

I do agree with the comments above, but having done a bit of research about the Global Poverty Project, the point that we are missing is that this is not actually aimed at us.  We are the already initiated, so to speak, this charity exists in a completely separate area - they are trying to get those people who haven’t already become active in anti-poverty movements. They don’t even fundraise from people, they aim to educate them to get them thinking about and taking action about poverty.  It would be good to see their take up on this as there aren’t many people attempting to do what they’re doing and activate these hereto inactive poeple.  I agree that it does seem too broad an unspecific in its content, but it is a good attempt to reach those people that those of us working in the development sector have been trying to reach for years.

From watching this video, sadly, I neither feel educated nor moved to action. I feel there’s been an attempt to pluck emotions of pride and desire of fame and fanfare, while not putting a face on the actual issue. If they are trying to reach folks who have never spent time thinking about extreme poverty or how they could help, why are they motivating them by ego instead of empathy? Are those really the kinds of “activists” you want? It felt like a mockery of a very serious issue, and even a little exploitive of some of the international stock footage that they utilized. Not to be harsh, but I honestly found this video both unsettling and a little insulting. Thanks for sharing it, however, as this is a valuable conversation for sure. Glad to have found your site!