Rock extravaganza not the answer to poverty

TEN concerts, 100 performers, one million spectators and two billion TV viewers — and it still adds up to a worldwide one-day wonder.

Shows like the global TV rock festival last Saturday are directed at the under-25s whose world view is more Live 8 than G8.

While Bob and Bono are to be commended for their efforts, the fact is that their fame and fortunes, not to mention their outsize egos, separate them from the real world. How in God’s name does Geldof reconcile his vast wealth (ie, his recently sold TV production company for €7.4 million and ownership of a successful TV station), with his preaching on global poverty.

While the Live Aid concerts 20 years ago raised in excess of €100 million for Ethiopia, the fact remains that the ultimate solution to global poverty is not going to be found in massive flash-in-the-pan events of this nature.

Today’s G8 meeting is just another political propaganda stunt to conceal the leading industrial nations’ lack of real interest in Third World issues.

This time next year ‘Live 8’ and ‘G8’ will be a distant memory while global problems like Third World Aids, terrorism and death from starvation in Africa will be as bad as ever.

Kevin Jordan

Village View

Clashmore

Co Waterford