Latest Charity Activity
October 2009
OneVoice Movement – Message from Paul
“Whilst I was in the Middle East, I visited a music school in Bethlehem (Palestine) and did a concert in Tel Aviv (Israel). While I was there, I met with a group of young people who go under the name of OneVoice. They told me that the vast majority of people living in the region want nothing more than a peaceful life and a chance to look after their families and themselves like other people in the world. I was very impressed with their thinking and their enthusiasm for a peaceful resolution to the problems in the area and would like to introduce the organisation to you. Here are some details about them...”
OneVoice is a grassroots movement of Israeli and Palestinian citizens and international supporters who are fed up with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and who are ready and eager to support a serious peace process, leading to a comprehensive agreement that will fulfil the hopes and beliefs of both the Palestinian and Israeli people to end occupation and all forms of violence and establish a two state solution. What makes OneVoice unique is that it appeals to the national self interest of both peoples. They don’t ask each ‘side’ to like or love each other; rather they ask them to recognise the entangled nature of their fates, and the need to address the concerns on each ‘side’ so that they can fulfil their respective moderate national ambitions. Just a few of their main activities include:
OneVoice’s Youth Leadership Programme:
To date, OneVoice has engaged over 600,000 Israeli and Palestinian citizens who have signed their mandate for change. Over 2,500 of these signatories have gone on to become Youth Leaders, who volunteer their time to drive the movement forward- becoming genuine agents for change and authentic leaders within communities all over Israel and Palestine. As part of the programme, some of Israel and Palestine’s most talented young people (aged 18-25) are given key training in fields such as public speaking, negotiation and persuasion, conflict resolution, community organising and non-violent protest. We have ‘chapters’ all over Israel and Palestine, where committees of Youth Leaders plan and execute programmes to increase awareness of the issues amongst their compatriots, pressuring their leaders to get back to the negotiating table and end the conflict once and for all. Our network of Youth Leaders- as well as being loud and constant advocates for pragmatism, moderation and an end to the conflict- provide us with a dedicated resource of passionate volunteers, allowing OneVoice to mount widespread, highly visible grassroots projects such as:
The Breaking Taboos Programme:
Progress at the negotiating table is only one step in the process of reaching an agreement that can be implemented. An end to the conflict will only come when the leaders come to an agreement that their peoples are ready to understand, accept, and support; it is imperative that the public understand the process. That’s why OneVoice contracted Dr. Colin Irwin, who devised a groundbreaking polling method, which he has used in conflicts such as Kashmir, Kosovo, Sri Lanka- and, most successfully- Northern Ireland, where he worked closely with people such as Senator George Mitchell in the run-up to the Good Friday Agreement. The poll aims to highlight hidden consensus, and build genuine new directions toward inter-community underatnading and compromise. You can read the full poll here. Using the results of the poll as a spring-board, OneVoice’s staff and Youth Leaders are now going to cities, towns and villages across Israel and Palestine, discussing the most sensitive ‘taboo’ issues with a broad cross-section of both societies, and relaying the results to the ‘other side.’ By building genuine momentum and popular participation, OneVoice is giving ownership of the issues surrounding the conflict- and the responsibility to end it- back to the grassroots, asking them ‘what will you do to end the conflict?’, and then giving them a platform to do it.
Find out more about OneVoice, and their unique approach to ending the conflict at: www.onevoicemovement.org
***
July 2009
ActionAid's PoverTee Day
Paul recently got his feelings about poverty and injustice off his chest by designing an exclusive t-shirt to support international development charity ActionAid's first ever PoverTee Day. Joined by a host of high profile names including Helen Mirren, Ricky Gervais, Joanna Lumley and Graham Norton Paul's t-shirt, which featured one of his smiley face doodles and was signed by the man himself, was auctioned on eBay. The proceeds from the auction helped to build a safe haven for street children in India and provide them with sports and games to play with. There are thousands of children living on the streets of Andhra Pradesh and Utter Pradesh in India and ActionAid is working to help them off the streets and into safe 'drop in' shelters where they can get counselling, training and the chance to return home.
***
May 2009
OneVoice Movement
Paul Calls On President Obama To Support The OneVoice Movement / A Grassroots Organisation Working To End Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
Paul McCartney has recently written to President Barack Obama making him aware of an organisation called OneVoice – an organisation that Paul first came into contact with during his memorable trip to Israel and Palestine last year.
The OneVoice Movement currently has over 650,000 signatories (equally represented by Palestinians and Israelis) and they work steadfastly towards a two state solution to the Israel/Palestine conflict, endeavoring to ensure that the voice of the moderate majority on both sides is heard and acted upon by their respective leaders. Earlier this year Paul officially joined OneVoice’s International Board of Advisors, which includes names such as Danny DeVito and Muhammed Ali.
Whilst performing in Tel Aviv last year, Paul’s message was to bring people together via the power of music – a sentiment that is shared by two singers, Noa, an Israeli Jew and Mira Awad, an Israeli Arab, who are members of OneVoice Israel. They are to perform a song together for the Eurovision song contest titled There Must Be Another Way.
Paul said: “This seems to me like a great idea, the symbolism of two people from both sides coming together to spread their message of peace via music is exciting and inspiring for me. I hope President Obama looks into this Organisation and feels that OneVoice could be part of a peaceful solution.”
When Noa and Mira heard of Paul’s involvement with OneVoice they said: “Paul is a great source of inspiration for both of us, and we would like thank him from the bottom of our hearts for the amazing gift he has given us with his music and for supporting the great work that everyone at OneVoice is doing. Our first collaboration, 8 years ago, was a cover of Paul’s song, “We Can Work It Out”. We’ve performed it all over the world, using the timeless words and music to carry our small torch of hope for a better future.”
For more information go to: www.onevoicemovement.org
***
Respect For Animals
European Union Bans Trade in Seal Products / Respect for Animals Welcomes Historic Legislation
Speaking about the ban Paul said: "It’s really great news that will hopefully put an end to this trade in cruelty. The many people who have campaigned for a ban on this activity will be relieved and happy with this victory for the welfare of these beautiful creatures.
Understanding that some of the local people may not be happy with this development, I would love to think that there would be a switch in thinking and that they could offer tourists guided trips to this beautiful region and its unique animal life.”
Yesterday (5th May) the European Parliament voted by a large majority to ban the placing on the market of seal products throughout the 27 countries of the EU.
This legislation closes the market for products from commercial seal hunts all over the world, including Canada’s – the largest most brutal slaughter of marine mammals. It also closes the loophole created by the 1983 European legislation which only banned the sale of fur from newborn ‘whitecoat’ harp seals and ‘blueback’’ hooded seals. The sealers now wait just a few days until the seals moult their white fur making them ‘fair game’ and their fur saleable in Europe.
Opinion polls in the UK have consistently shown large majorities of the public support a ban on seal imports and an Early Day Motion in the UK Parliament calling for an EU ban has been signed by 147 MPs from all parties.
UK MEPs played key roles in ensuring this legislation passed and remains robust. Arlene McCarthy MEP North West who chaired the Internal Market & Consumer Protection Committee had to redraft the key elements of the Commission’s original proposal which won the support of the majority of MEPs.
The legislation has passed in the face of a massive lobby from the Canadian Government and those with vested interests in sealing.
Mark Glover, Campaign Director of Respect for Animal said: “I was present for the vote in 1983 and being there today draws a line under this campaign as well as EU involvement in this crime against nature. EU citizens will no longer have the blood of those beautiful, innocent creatures on their hands. EU imports helped fuel the cruelty and we hope today’s ban sends a clear and loud message to Canada that the brutal act of clubbing and shooting baby seals will no longer be tolerated.”
Mark Glover also went on to thank the Daily Mirror newspaper who had started campaigning for this some 41 years ago:“This is the best moment of my life – and the Daily Mirror deserves a great deal of credit for being involved from the beginning.”
The Parliament voted 550 to 49 for the regulation which will go into effect in 2010.
For more information go to: www.respectforanimals.co.uk
***
March 2009
OneVoice Movement
23 March, 2009 / Tel Aviv, Israel / The OneVoice Movement today announced that Paul McCartney has officially joined its International Board of Advisors, which includes other celebrities such as Danny DeVito and Jason Alexander, as well as international dignitaries and political figures like Dennis Ross.
McCartney first spoke with Israeli and Palestinian representatives of the group, which seeks to empower the moderate majorities of Israel, Palestine, and citizens internationally to work toward a two state solution to the conflict, during his visit to Israel at the end of September 2008. He met with OneVoice Israel Chairwoman, Irit Admoni Perlman, in addition to staff members and youth activists from the movement. At the meeting, he expressed his support for OneVoice’s activities on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides.
Speaking to Nisreen Shahin, OneVoice Palestine’s Executive Director, Paul reaffirmed his commitment to OneVoice’s moderate, grassroots approach to ending the conflict. He also travelled to Palestine, to bring his message of peace to the West Bank as well. Later that evening at his concert at Tel Aviv’s Park HaYarkon, he and members of his band wore OneVoice pins in a show of support for the movement and the ideas it promotes.
Said McCartney, “Having met representatives of the association OneVoice, I was impressed, first of all, by the fact that half of the organisation is Palestinian and half is Israeli. Almost 650,000 people have signed on to their manifesto, supporting their steadfast work to bring about a negotiated solution, and peace in the region.” He went on to say of OneVoice: “They told me that the vast majority of people in both societies are moderates and simply want a better life for their families and themselves. This gave me great hope that, one day, people like them will help to bring about a peaceful resolution to the troubles in the area. I am, therefore, happy to lend my support in this way to the cause of peace.”
Over the past six years, OneVoice has built a “human infrastructure” of youth leaders and citizen activists working to mobilize their communities and push their elected representatives to achieve a two state agreement. The movement has trained over 2,000 youth leaders in Israel and Palestine, and counts on its board over 60 world leaders, dignitaries, celebrities, business people, and political figures.
For more information go to: www.onevoicemovement.org
***
February 2009
Paul Supports War Child 'Heroes' Album
“War Child: Heroes” is the ultimate covers album: an unprecedented coming together of music’s greatest ever legends and today’s best artists to support a great cause.
The album concept sees the biggest heroes in music history select a personal favourite track from their own back catalogue, and nominate an act from the next generation to create a modern reworking of that classic song.
The concept - believing that the next generation can do great things – neatly echoes the work of War Child, helping the most disadvantaged children in the world’s harshest war zones: like Iraq, Congo, Afghanistan…
* Legends supporting the album include: Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, The Kinks, Roxy Music, Joy Division, The Clash, The Ramones, Blondie and Iggy Pop. And modern artists recording include: Duffy, Scissor Sisters, Elbow, Beck, The Kooks, Rufus Wainwright, Estelle, Hot Chip, The Hold Steady and Lily Allen.
* The album was released on February 16 2009 on Parlophone. All profits will aid the real heroes: children affected by the brutalities of war.
The tracklist in full:
1. Beck (Bob Dylan: Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat)
2. Scissor Sisters (Roxy Music: Do The Strand)
3. Lily Allen (The Clash: Straight To Hell)
4. Duffy (Paul McCartney: Live And Let Die)
5. Elbow (U2: Running To Stand Still)
6. TV On The Radio (David Bowie: Heroes)
7. Hot Chip (Joy Division: Transmission)
8. The Kooks (The Kinks: Victoria)
9. Estelle (Stevie Wonder: Superstition)
10. Rufus Wainwright (Brian Wilson: Wonderful/ Song For Children)
11. Peaches (Iggy Pop: Search And Destroy)
12. The Hold Steady (Bruce Springsteen: Atlantic City)
13. The Like (Elvis Costello: You Belong To Me)
14. Yeah Yeah Yeahs (The Ramones: Sheena Is A Punk Rocker)
15. Franz Ferdinand (Blondie: Call Me)
Heroes: Some Facts
“Heroes” is War Child’s fifth album, Paul McCartney has supported three of them. Dating back to the reworking of “Come Together” by the Smokin’ Mojo Filters (McCartney, Weller and Noel Gallagher) for 1995’s legendary “Help” album (alongside Blur, Oasis, Radiohead, Paul McCartney, Portishead, Stone Roses, Massive Attack…)
The 15 legends supporting the project have combined global album sales of over 1.4bn
The new acts chosen to cover the classic tracks include the UK’s biggest selling album artist of 2008, Duffy; the current Mercury prize winners, Elbow; and the act behind the most critically acclaimed album of 2008, TV On The Radio. They make up 11 Brit nominations and eight Grammy nominations.
The album was recorded over six months in studios in London, Manchester, Paris, Berlin, New York and Los Angeles. It was mastered at Abbey Road studios in London.
War Child’s albums have won awards at the Brit Awards, as well as from Q and NME and been nominated for the Mercury Prize.
Heroes: Background To War Child
• 2.7 million children under 5 have died due to war in DRC
• 1 in 4 children die before the age of 5 in Afghanistan
• 2 million Iraqi children have had to leave their homes since war in 2003
• Over 30,000 children were abducted and recruited by fighting forces in Uganda
War Child's Work
War Child is a unique charity. The only child protection agency operating in south Iraq. The only agency to have separated children from adults in Afghanistan prisons. The only international organisation working with ex-child soldiers in northern Democratic Republic of Congo. War Child is only able to work in these locations through a unique combination of security management and private funding. The media and music industry are at the heart of this private support.
War Child Facts
By working together with local organisations, War Child helps protect children by:
• Reintegrating child soldiers with their families
• Getting children off the streets, after war has forced them to leave home
• Separating children from adults in prison
• Rebuilding schools destroyed by war
• Lobbying politicians to do more for children affected by war
• Empowering the public to get involved
For more information go to: www.warchild.org.uk/heroes
***
May 2008
Ban Cluster Bombs
"Cluster bomblets, like anti-personnel mines, are unacceptable when they kill and injure innocent civilians including children. I call upon individuals, organisations and politicians to do all they can to remove and reduce the impact of these weapons for future generations"
Paul McCartney
Please join me in signing the No More Landmines petition to Ban Cluster Bombs. Cluster bombs are containers which release several hundred smaller "bomblets" when fired. They pose unacceptable harm both during and long after conflicts. They have killed thousands of people and 98% of the victims are innocent civilians, one third of these are children.
Numerous countries, including the United Kingdom, continue to use or produce and export cluster bombs. Given the current and potential scale of the damage, it is urgent that new international law prohibits the further use, production, transfer and stockpiling of these weapons.
Please support this campaign by signing the petition calling for:
- A ban on the production, use, transfer and stockpiling of all cluster bombs
- A commitment from the UK government in favour of an international agreement on this ban
- The rapid destruction of any existing stocks
For more information and to sign the petition go to: www.landmines.org.uk
Thank you for your support.
Paul McCartney
***
November 2007
Great Ormand Street Hospital - Children's Christmas Party
On November 19th Paul joined patients and their families at the Great Ormond Street Hospital's annual Childrens Christmas Party. All the children who attended have been treated by the hospital this year.
Plenty of assorted helpers, including Paul, Vernon Kaye, Tess Daly and Neil Fox were on hand to make sure they had an extra special festive day to remember - complete with elves, snow, giant toys and reindeer!
For more information go to: www.gosh.org
Click here for the original PM.com news story.
***
September 2007
The Princes Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy - Gibson Guitars
Paul signed a specially hand painted 10 foot Gibson Les Paul guitar that was auctioned off to raise money for The Prince's Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy . Paul's guitar eventually raised £60,000.
Paul said: "I just fancied playing with a big guitar! I think this one will hopefully catch the imagination of the public and whoever is going to buy it at the auction and raise money for The Prince's Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy- which are all great charities."
For more information go to: http://www.gibsoneurope.com
Click here for the original PM.com news story.
OneVoice Movement – Message from Paul
“Whilst I was in the Middle East, I visited a music school in Bethlehem (Palestine) and did a concert in Tel Aviv (Israel). While I was there, I met with a group of young people who go under the name of OneVoice. They told me that the vast majority of people living in the region want nothing more than a peaceful life and a chance to look after their families and themselves like other people in the world. I was very impressed with their thinking and their enthusiasm for a peaceful resolution to the problems in the area and would like to introduce the organisation to you. Here are some details about them...”
OneVoice is a grassroots movement of Israeli and Palestinian citizens and international supporters who are fed up with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and who are ready and eager to support a serious peace process, leading to a comprehensive agreement that will fulfil the hopes and beliefs of both the Palestinian and Israeli people to end occupation and all forms of violence and establish a two state solution. What makes OneVoice unique is that it appeals to the national self interest of both peoples. They don’t ask each ‘side’ to like or love each other; rather they ask them to recognise the entangled nature of their fates, and the need to address the concerns on each ‘side’ so that they can fulfil their respective moderate national ambitions. Just a few of their main activities include:
OneVoice’s Youth Leadership Programme:
To date, OneVoice has engaged over 600,000 Israeli and Palestinian citizens who have signed their mandate for change. Over 2,500 of these signatories have gone on to become Youth Leaders, who volunteer their time to drive the movement forward- becoming genuine agents for change and authentic leaders within communities all over Israel and Palestine. As part of the programme, some of Israel and Palestine’s most talented young people (aged 18-25) are given key training in fields such as public speaking, negotiation and persuasion, conflict resolution, community organising and non-violent protest. We have ‘chapters’ all over Israel and Palestine, where committees of Youth Leaders plan and execute programmes to increase awareness of the issues amongst their compatriots, pressuring their leaders to get back to the negotiating table and end the conflict once and for all. Our network of Youth Leaders- as well as being loud and constant advocates for pragmatism, moderation and an end to the conflict- provide us with a dedicated resource of passionate volunteers, allowing OneVoice to mount widespread, highly visible grassroots projects such as:
The Breaking Taboos Programme:
Progress at the negotiating table is only one step in the process of reaching an agreement that can be implemented. An end to the conflict will only come when the leaders come to an agreement that their peoples are ready to understand, accept, and support; it is imperative that the public understand the process. That’s why OneVoice contracted Dr. Colin Irwin, who devised a groundbreaking polling method, which he has used in conflicts such as Kashmir, Kosovo, Sri Lanka- and, most successfully- Northern Ireland, where he worked closely with people such as Senator George Mitchell in the run-up to the Good Friday Agreement. The poll aims to highlight hidden consensus, and build genuine new directions toward inter-community underatnading and compromise. You can read the full poll here. Using the results of the poll as a spring-board, OneVoice’s staff and Youth Leaders are now going to cities, towns and villages across Israel and Palestine, discussing the most sensitive ‘taboo’ issues with a broad cross-section of both societies, and relaying the results to the ‘other side.’ By building genuine momentum and popular participation, OneVoice is giving ownership of the issues surrounding the conflict- and the responsibility to end it- back to the grassroots, asking them ‘what will you do to end the conflict?’, and then giving them a platform to do it.
Find out more about OneVoice, and their unique approach to ending the conflict at: www.onevoicemovement.org
***
July 2009
ActionAid's PoverTee Day
Paul recently got his feelings about poverty and injustice off his chest by designing an exclusive t-shirt to support international development charity ActionAid's first ever PoverTee Day. Joined by a host of high profile names including Helen Mirren, Ricky Gervais, Joanna Lumley and Graham Norton Paul's t-shirt, which featured one of his smiley face doodles and was signed by the man himself, was auctioned on eBay. The proceeds from the auction helped to build a safe haven for street children in India and provide them with sports and games to play with. There are thousands of children living on the streets of Andhra Pradesh and Utter Pradesh in India and ActionAid is working to help them off the streets and into safe 'drop in' shelters where they can get counselling, training and the chance to return home.
***
May 2009
OneVoice Movement
Paul Calls On President Obama To Support The OneVoice Movement / A Grassroots Organisation Working To End Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
Paul McCartney has recently written to President Barack Obama making him aware of an organisation called OneVoice – an organisation that Paul first came into contact with during his memorable trip to Israel and Palestine last year.
The OneVoice Movement currently has over 650,000 signatories (equally represented by Palestinians and Israelis) and they work steadfastly towards a two state solution to the Israel/Palestine conflict, endeavoring to ensure that the voice of the moderate majority on both sides is heard and acted upon by their respective leaders. Earlier this year Paul officially joined OneVoice’s International Board of Advisors, which includes names such as Danny DeVito and Muhammed Ali.
Whilst performing in Tel Aviv last year, Paul’s message was to bring people together via the power of music – a sentiment that is shared by two singers, Noa, an Israeli Jew and Mira Awad, an Israeli Arab, who are members of OneVoice Israel. They are to perform a song together for the Eurovision song contest titled There Must Be Another Way.
Paul said: “This seems to me like a great idea, the symbolism of two people from both sides coming together to spread their message of peace via music is exciting and inspiring for me. I hope President Obama looks into this Organisation and feels that OneVoice could be part of a peaceful solution.”
When Noa and Mira heard of Paul’s involvement with OneVoice they said: “Paul is a great source of inspiration for both of us, and we would like thank him from the bottom of our hearts for the amazing gift he has given us with his music and for supporting the great work that everyone at OneVoice is doing. Our first collaboration, 8 years ago, was a cover of Paul’s song, “We Can Work It Out”. We’ve performed it all over the world, using the timeless words and music to carry our small torch of hope for a better future.”
For more information go to: www.onevoicemovement.org
***
Respect For Animals
European Union Bans Trade in Seal Products / Respect for Animals Welcomes Historic Legislation
Speaking about the ban Paul said: "It’s really great news that will hopefully put an end to this trade in cruelty. The many people who have campaigned for a ban on this activity will be relieved and happy with this victory for the welfare of these beautiful creatures.
Understanding that some of the local people may not be happy with this development, I would love to think that there would be a switch in thinking and that they could offer tourists guided trips to this beautiful region and its unique animal life.”
Yesterday (5th May) the European Parliament voted by a large majority to ban the placing on the market of seal products throughout the 27 countries of the EU.
This legislation closes the market for products from commercial seal hunts all over the world, including Canada’s – the largest most brutal slaughter of marine mammals. It also closes the loophole created by the 1983 European legislation which only banned the sale of fur from newborn ‘whitecoat’ harp seals and ‘blueback’’ hooded seals. The sealers now wait just a few days until the seals moult their white fur making them ‘fair game’ and their fur saleable in Europe.
Opinion polls in the UK have consistently shown large majorities of the public support a ban on seal imports and an Early Day Motion in the UK Parliament calling for an EU ban has been signed by 147 MPs from all parties.
UK MEPs played key roles in ensuring this legislation passed and remains robust. Arlene McCarthy MEP North West who chaired the Internal Market & Consumer Protection Committee had to redraft the key elements of the Commission’s original proposal which won the support of the majority of MEPs.
The legislation has passed in the face of a massive lobby from the Canadian Government and those with vested interests in sealing.
Mark Glover, Campaign Director of Respect for Animal said: “I was present for the vote in 1983 and being there today draws a line under this campaign as well as EU involvement in this crime against nature. EU citizens will no longer have the blood of those beautiful, innocent creatures on their hands. EU imports helped fuel the cruelty and we hope today’s ban sends a clear and loud message to Canada that the brutal act of clubbing and shooting baby seals will no longer be tolerated.”
Mark Glover also went on to thank the Daily Mirror newspaper who had started campaigning for this some 41 years ago:“This is the best moment of my life – and the Daily Mirror deserves a great deal of credit for being involved from the beginning.”
The Parliament voted 550 to 49 for the regulation which will go into effect in 2010.
For more information go to: www.respectforanimals.co.uk
***
March 2009
OneVoice Movement
23 March, 2009 / Tel Aviv, Israel / The OneVoice Movement today announced that Paul McCartney has officially joined its International Board of Advisors, which includes other celebrities such as Danny DeVito and Jason Alexander, as well as international dignitaries and political figures like Dennis Ross.
McCartney first spoke with Israeli and Palestinian representatives of the group, which seeks to empower the moderate majorities of Israel, Palestine, and citizens internationally to work toward a two state solution to the conflict, during his visit to Israel at the end of September 2008. He met with OneVoice Israel Chairwoman, Irit Admoni Perlman, in addition to staff members and youth activists from the movement. At the meeting, he expressed his support for OneVoice’s activities on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides.
Speaking to Nisreen Shahin, OneVoice Palestine’s Executive Director, Paul reaffirmed his commitment to OneVoice’s moderate, grassroots approach to ending the conflict. He also travelled to Palestine, to bring his message of peace to the West Bank as well. Later that evening at his concert at Tel Aviv’s Park HaYarkon, he and members of his band wore OneVoice pins in a show of support for the movement and the ideas it promotes.
Said McCartney, “Having met representatives of the association OneVoice, I was impressed, first of all, by the fact that half of the organisation is Palestinian and half is Israeli. Almost 650,000 people have signed on to their manifesto, supporting their steadfast work to bring about a negotiated solution, and peace in the region.” He went on to say of OneVoice: “They told me that the vast majority of people in both societies are moderates and simply want a better life for their families and themselves. This gave me great hope that, one day, people like them will help to bring about a peaceful resolution to the troubles in the area. I am, therefore, happy to lend my support in this way to the cause of peace.”
Over the past six years, OneVoice has built a “human infrastructure” of youth leaders and citizen activists working to mobilize their communities and push their elected representatives to achieve a two state agreement. The movement has trained over 2,000 youth leaders in Israel and Palestine, and counts on its board over 60 world leaders, dignitaries, celebrities, business people, and political figures.
For more information go to: www.onevoicemovement.org
***
February 2009
Paul Supports War Child 'Heroes' Album
“War Child: Heroes” is the ultimate covers album: an unprecedented coming together of music’s greatest ever legends and today’s best artists to support a great cause.
The album concept sees the biggest heroes in music history select a personal favourite track from their own back catalogue, and nominate an act from the next generation to create a modern reworking of that classic song.
The concept - believing that the next generation can do great things – neatly echoes the work of War Child, helping the most disadvantaged children in the world’s harshest war zones: like Iraq, Congo, Afghanistan…
* Legends supporting the album include: Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, The Kinks, Roxy Music, Joy Division, The Clash, The Ramones, Blondie and Iggy Pop. And modern artists recording include: Duffy, Scissor Sisters, Elbow, Beck, The Kooks, Rufus Wainwright, Estelle, Hot Chip, The Hold Steady and Lily Allen.
* The album was released on February 16 2009 on Parlophone. All profits will aid the real heroes: children affected by the brutalities of war.
The tracklist in full:
1. Beck (Bob Dylan: Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat)
2. Scissor Sisters (Roxy Music: Do The Strand)
3. Lily Allen (The Clash: Straight To Hell)
4. Duffy (Paul McCartney: Live And Let Die)
5. Elbow (U2: Running To Stand Still)
6. TV On The Radio (David Bowie: Heroes)
7. Hot Chip (Joy Division: Transmission)
8. The Kooks (The Kinks: Victoria)
9. Estelle (Stevie Wonder: Superstition)
10. Rufus Wainwright (Brian Wilson: Wonderful/ Song For Children)
11. Peaches (Iggy Pop: Search And Destroy)
12. The Hold Steady (Bruce Springsteen: Atlantic City)
13. The Like (Elvis Costello: You Belong To Me)
14. Yeah Yeah Yeahs (The Ramones: Sheena Is A Punk Rocker)
15. Franz Ferdinand (Blondie: Call Me)
Heroes: Some Facts
“Heroes” is War Child’s fifth album, Paul McCartney has supported three of them. Dating back to the reworking of “Come Together” by the Smokin’ Mojo Filters (McCartney, Weller and Noel Gallagher) for 1995’s legendary “Help” album (alongside Blur, Oasis, Radiohead, Paul McCartney, Portishead, Stone Roses, Massive Attack…)
The 15 legends supporting the project have combined global album sales of over 1.4bn
The new acts chosen to cover the classic tracks include the UK’s biggest selling album artist of 2008, Duffy; the current Mercury prize winners, Elbow; and the act behind the most critically acclaimed album of 2008, TV On The Radio. They make up 11 Brit nominations and eight Grammy nominations.
The album was recorded over six months in studios in London, Manchester, Paris, Berlin, New York and Los Angeles. It was mastered at Abbey Road studios in London.
War Child’s albums have won awards at the Brit Awards, as well as from Q and NME and been nominated for the Mercury Prize.
Heroes: Background To War Child
• 2.7 million children under 5 have died due to war in DRC
• 1 in 4 children die before the age of 5 in Afghanistan
• 2 million Iraqi children have had to leave their homes since war in 2003
• Over 30,000 children were abducted and recruited by fighting forces in Uganda
War Child's Work
War Child is a unique charity. The only child protection agency operating in south Iraq. The only agency to have separated children from adults in Afghanistan prisons. The only international organisation working with ex-child soldiers in northern Democratic Republic of Congo. War Child is only able to work in these locations through a unique combination of security management and private funding. The media and music industry are at the heart of this private support.
War Child Facts
By working together with local organisations, War Child helps protect children by:
• Reintegrating child soldiers with their families
• Getting children off the streets, after war has forced them to leave home
• Separating children from adults in prison
• Rebuilding schools destroyed by war
• Lobbying politicians to do more for children affected by war
• Empowering the public to get involved
For more information go to: www.warchild.org.uk/heroes
***
May 2008
Ban Cluster Bombs
"Cluster bomblets, like anti-personnel mines, are unacceptable when they kill and injure innocent civilians including children. I call upon individuals, organisations and politicians to do all they can to remove and reduce the impact of these weapons for future generations"
Paul McCartney
Please join me in signing the No More Landmines petition to Ban Cluster Bombs. Cluster bombs are containers which release several hundred smaller "bomblets" when fired. They pose unacceptable harm both during and long after conflicts. They have killed thousands of people and 98% of the victims are innocent civilians, one third of these are children.
Numerous countries, including the United Kingdom, continue to use or produce and export cluster bombs. Given the current and potential scale of the damage, it is urgent that new international law prohibits the further use, production, transfer and stockpiling of these weapons.
Please support this campaign by signing the petition calling for:
- A ban on the production, use, transfer and stockpiling of all cluster bombs
- A commitment from the UK government in favour of an international agreement on this ban
- The rapid destruction of any existing stocks
For more information and to sign the petition go to: www.landmines.org.uk
Thank you for your support.
Paul McCartney
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November 2007
Great Ormand Street Hospital - Children's Christmas Party
On November 19th Paul joined patients and their families at the Great Ormond Street Hospital's annual Childrens Christmas Party. All the children who attended have been treated by the hospital this year.
Plenty of assorted helpers, including Paul, Vernon Kaye, Tess Daly and Neil Fox were on hand to make sure they had an extra special festive day to remember - complete with elves, snow, giant toys and reindeer!
For more information go to: www.gosh.org
Click here for the original PM.com news story.
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September 2007
The Princes Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy - Gibson Guitars
Paul signed a specially hand painted 10 foot Gibson Les Paul guitar that was auctioned off to raise money for The Prince's Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy . Paul's guitar eventually raised £60,000.
Paul said: "I just fancied playing with a big guitar! I think this one will hopefully catch the imagination of the public and whoever is going to buy it at the auction and raise money for The Prince's Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy- which are all great charities."
For more information go to: http://www.gibsoneurope.com
Click here for the original PM.com news story.
© MPL Communications Ltd / Paul McCartney
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