Global Citizen is an advocacy organization focused on ending global poverty and addressing critical issues worldwide. Hugh Evans and Simon Moss founded Global Citizen in 2008 to mobilize leaders and engage the public. Since its start, the organization has taken off and been incredibly successful. One way Global Citizen raises awareness is by hosting an annual festival. The festival aims to raise awareness about global issues like inequality, poverty, education and changing weather patterns. The event inspires people to make a difference and advocate for change. The Global Citizen Festival is changing the world in five important ways.

5 Ways the Global Citizen Festival is Changing the World

1. Takes Action: Potential festival attendees must complete specific tasks to be eligible for ticket selections. Each action taken earns a certain number of points. Activities for this year’s festival include uploading activism videos, sending out tweets, signing petitions, taking quizzes and sending messages. Instead of purchasing tickets, people must earn them. Global citizens completed 2 million actions in 2022 before the festival began. Since the first festival in 2012, around 34 million actions have been taken. These actions create immense change and push leaders and the public to make a difference.
2. Raises Awareness: One big part of the festival is incorporating celebrities and musicians to bring awareness to global issues. Global Citizen creates lineups to bring in fans from all over the world. The understanding of current issues is raised by bringing in fans and completing action tasks. This year’s lineup features Megan Thee Stallion, Lauryn Hill, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Conan Gray and Stray Kids. By utilizing celebrities and music, the festival can bring in 60,000 people. That is 60,000 more people making a difference. The festival is also live-streamed and broadcast so people all over the world can watch it, which allows more people to engage with the festival and support the message. The influence of celebrities is enormous, too. Promoting and engaging with the celebration on social media helps raise awareness and promote the event.
3. Education: The global citizen festival is only possible with education first. Global Citizen is constantly working towards educating people about current issues and what they can do to help. The festival provides engaging opportunities to learn and collect information about global problems. The festival has panels, workshops, personal stories and exhibits to educate and reach people deeper. Before, during and after the event, education is possible. Education is vital in a world where poverty has shown no sign of stopping. The festival is changing the world through this education and engagement.
4. Mobilizes Leaders: Global Citizen targets the public to make a change and encourages leaders, too — the festival pressures leaders to support initiatives and legislation that empower our world and alleviate global poverty. Last year, many leaders made pledges on stage and through video calls to make a difference. Places like Ghana, Canada, Norway, Germany and many more made these promises. The festival also mobilized partners to agree to new financial and policy agreements to evoke a more significant change. The Global Citizen Festival prides itself on mobilizing leaders and creating a safer space for everyone. Leaders continue to join the cause and address the world’s most pressing issues.
5. Fundraising: Although citizens must earn general admission tickets, the festival still raises money through donations. Partners, sponsorships, the world’s wealthy and the general public are all contributors. In 2022, the festival raised $2.4 billion to fight global poverty. The festival looks to match or beat that number this year. Now more than ever, money is needed to make a difference in alleviating poverty. Although the festival primarily focuses on mobilization and advocacy, the funds help end poverty and other global challenges.

Looking Ahead

The Global Citizen Festival is changing the world. The event shows how decisive collective action can be and how advocacy can come from anyone. Since its start, the festival has inspired millions of people to make a change and fight extreme poverty. Through the use of celebrities and musicians, the festival can educate and empower individuals. It inspires leaders and organizations to commit to preserving the world’s future. 

– Madison Rogers
Photo: Flickr