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We thank you for your support and participation in helping change the public conversation
about hunger in America and the world, and making the end of childhood hunger a national priority. Together we have done some innovative stuff that made a difference! |
One of Our Earlier Programs
July 13, 1985 live satellite broadcast from Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia
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The LIVE AID concert was a landmark event for the campaign to end hunger and brought a new consciousness to the world in 1985. This largest media event ever – reaching an estimated audience of 1.5 billion people around the world – provided a unique opportunity to educate massive numbers of people about ending hunger.
Leading performers at Live Aid included: Ozzie Osbourne, Sting, Phil Collins, Madonna, Elvis Costello, The Four Tops, BB King, Crosby Stills & Nash, Bob Dylan, U2, The Beach Boys, Queen, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, The Pretenders, The Who, Elton John, George Michael, Tom Petty, Kenny Loggins, Eric Clapton, Led Zepellin, Patti LaBelle, Hall & Oates, and Tina Turner. The End Hunger Network was asked by Worldwide Sports and Entertainment, the producers of the U.S. portion of the concert, to write and produce all the educational and fundraising materials for this 16-hour global event. In addition, the End Hunger Network was responsible for writing the script used by performers and television hosts who anchored the concert. Prior to the concert, the End Hunger Network featured actress Valerie Harper and Dr. Djibril of the United Nations Development Programme in a satellite teleconference, briefing over 500 broadcasters who would be involved with the concert worldwide. This briefing provided the broadcasters with current data about hunger, especially in Africa, and coached them on how to talk about the issue. In addition, back-up material was sent to all broadcasters in each of the 60 nations participating in the broadcast. The key issues of Live Aid were developed by the End Hunger Network in consultation with private voluntary organizations and were integrated into all the communication messages during and around the concert:
The End Hunger Network’s mission was to communicate these messages in the three-minute spots allotted for every ½ hour in the 16-hour show, and to do it in such a way that all four messages could be delivered effectively every two hours (the average time it was estimated that individuals would watch the show. These spots within the broadcast featured world and U.S. leaders, including Bishop Desmond Tutu, former President Jimmy Carter, and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi of India. Actress Sally Field and announcer Casey Kasem were featured in the EHN-produced fundraising spots that are credited with raising funds from the U.S. audience. Twelve television satellites broadcast around the world (including the Soviet Union), and simultaneous telethons were held in some 30 nations, including Australia, Japan, West Germany and Canada. The response to Live Aid was unprecedented, raising over $125 million. According to figures released by the Live Aid Foundation in January 1986, 60% of the money raised has gone to long-term development programs (projects that aimed to assist the hungry and impoverished people of Africa to work towards self-sufficiency), 20% had been provided for emergency relief services, and 20% for transport – equipment and programs to move food to where it was most needed during the famine crisis. |