If you hadn’t heard already, then you’ll hear it here first: Global Citizen is coming to Rwanda!
That’s right, on Dec. 6 we’re hosting Move Afrika: Rwanda at the BK Arena in Kigali. It will be the first event in a 5-year large-scale effort to pioneer a first-of-its-kind international music touring circuit throughout the African continent.
Who will be there? Only Grammy and Pulitzer winning artist Kendrick Lamar, of course, who will be headlining the event — not to mention artists who are still to be announced, so keep your eyes peeled for more. His creative imprint pgLang will also curate this event, as well as future Move Afrika installments for the next five years. So we’ll ask again, are you ready to take action?
You probably know by now that at Global Citizen, we work towards ending extreme poverty in everything we do, and this event is no different. Move Afrika is Global Citizen’s latest effort to address the world’s inequities.
For Move Afrika: Rwanda we’ll be honing in on the need to strengthen health systems, with a specific emphasis on supporting and spotlighting community health workers and driving transformative investments in community-provided health services; addressing the climate crisis, particularly its impact on food security, and securing support for smallholder farmers; and tackling the lack of access to economic opportunities for future generations.
We’ve seen how a global health crisis (a.k.a. the pandemic) can bring the world to its knees, and leave the African continent far behind when it comes to protecting its people against global health threats — largely due to wealthy nations’ hoarding of vaccines and other resources. Through Move Afrika, we want to spotlight the work that’s being done to support health systems and the community workers within them on the African continent, and to amplify the call for that support to be increased.
We’re also looking to promote equity in health systems, call for the protection of our planet and its inhabitants, and create jobs and economic opportunity throughout the campaign.
But first, are you new to Global Citizen? Allow us to introduce ourselves.
What Is Global Citizen?
Global Citizen is an advocacy organization that is dedicated to ending extreme poverty through actions towards achieving the United Nations Global Goals. We’ve grown and are continuing to grow the world's largest movement of action-takers and impact-makers who are calling for urgent change to protect and uplift the world’s most vulnerable.
We take action by posting, tweeting, messaging, voting, signing, and calling to inspire those who can make things happen — government leaders, businesses, philanthropists, artists, and citizens — together improving lives.
Why Should I Take Action?
We’re sure that you, like us, know that a world free of poverty is possible. Taking action shows world leaders that you’re serious about the significant changes that we’re calling on them to make towards making a poverty-free world a reality. It shows that you’re paying attention to their actions, and that you want them to use their platforms, resources, and influence to end extreme poverty immediately.
When you take action with Global Citizen, you know it makes an impact. We track every commitment made on our stage, and follow up with commitment-makers to ensure funds and other pledges are delivered.
Find out more about how the actions of Global Citizens drive impact here.
I Want to Take Action for Move Afrika: Rwanda. Where Do I Start?
Right here. Wherever you’re reading this, on our app or website, you can start on this platform.
First, sign up to be a Global Citizen on our app or by visiting our website.
You can also send us a message on WhatsApp.
First, make sure you have WhatsApp, of course. Second, send a message saying “I'm ready to take action” to +250 790 008 555 or click here to send us a message. You can learn more about taking action on WhatsApp right here.
Can I Take Action Right Now?
We thought you’d never ask! You sure can. Once you’ve signed up as a Global Citizen, here are five actions you can take right now to get you started on your journey to earning points, and winning tickets to Move Afrika: Rwanda.
1. Tell Us the Changes You Would Like to See.
Creating change starts at home. That’s why we want to hear from you first. We want to know what changes you would like to see in your region, if you’re based in Rwanda. Is it lowering the unemployment rate, improving access to education, or do you have ideas of how more women can be empowered? Leave us a message and share your thoughts.
Take action with us by leaving a message here.
2. Learn More About HPV and Its Impacts on Women & Girls.
Cervical Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide, and it mostly affects women and girls. In order to advocate for access to sexual and reproductive health care for women and girls everywhere, education and awareness is key.
Take our quiz here and learn more about why HPV is on the rise.
3. Call on Africa’s Leaders to Step Up Against the Hunger Crisis.
Africa has the most hunger hotspots in the world — meaning that the continent has the most number of regions that are experiencing acute hunger levels globally. In fact, one in five people on the continent are facing hunger. That needs to change. Supporting farmers is one of the best ways to protect our food security but most are not getting the help they need.
4. Sign Our COP28 Petition.
As we prepare for Move Afrika: Rwanda, we, and the rest of the world, will also be preparing for the next climate-focused Conference of the Parties (COP) taking place around the same time.
Year after year leaders around the world attend COP and make big speeches, but too often these words don’t lead to sufficient action. This year, we’re calling on them to act. We’re calling on them to protect the planet, because now is the time we really need to see action on the climate emergency — and empty words are not enough. Raise your voice with us.
Sign our petition here to make sure that world leaders put the planet first at COP28.
5. Sign Our Petition to Save the Rainforests.
Human-caused climate change is unleashing chaos on the world and her ecosystems. Now more than ever, we need to protect our rainforests from the climate crisis, and from the human actions that are driving deforestation.
Last year, countries pledged to protect 30% of nature by 2030, but we know that often words don’t lead to action — particularly when it comes to defending the planet. Let’s call on world leaders to keep their promises and to step up their action against the climate emergency.
Sign our petition to protect the rainforests here.
TheMove Afrika: Rwanda campaign aims to promote stronger health systems as a pathway to promoting equity. We’re also calling on world leaders to defend our planet and its inhabitants, and to create jobs and economic opportunity. Make sure you take action to earn tickets or you can purchase them to join us at the BK Arena in Kigali for a one-of-a-kind experience. Everything you need to know about the event is right here.