Seeing the world beyond school

WESTFALL - “We don’t want your money. We want your voice.” This statement has been echoing through the corridors of Delaware Valley High School since the launch of the “ONE campaign” late last week. The campaign is designed to raise awareness about global AIDS and extreme poverty, aimed at lobbying Congress to designate one percent of the national budget to world aid. ONE stresses the importance of smart investment. Championed by famous people, such as Bono and Chris Rock, the campaign also calls for debt cancellation, trade reform and anti-corruption measures. The ONE campaign was sponsored by the school’s model United Nations club and Student Council. Alongside an ambitious group of students from these organizations, history teacher Mark Valentine spearheaded the effort. Over the course of the two-day event, some 300 “ONE bands” were distributed to students before their homeroom classes. These students also joined the two million other Americans who signed the ONE declaration to pledge their support. Valentine remarked, “This campaign is at the heart of what we are as Americans - helping those who can’t help themselves.” He reiterated that the campaign seeks to educate, not to target people’s wallets. “It was refreshing to see kids talking about global issues, rather than what’s for lunch. We were successful in creating a dialogue; that’s what ONE is,” he stated. Valentine’s message: “True change comes out of the voice of the people. It only takes seconds to make a difference, sign the declaration.” For more information or to sign the declaration, visit www.one.org