From Live 8 to the G8 Diary of ONE Delegate by Samantha Salcedo Samantha Salcedo of Save the Children traveled to the G8 summit as a ONE Campaign delegate. It’s been an amazing two weeks. In my three year’s working for Save the Children I’ve never seen so much attention paid in such a short time to the needs of children in poor countries. What an accomplishment! People all over the country, all over the world, are talking about the challenges facing Africa, and are committed to doing something about it. Like many Americans, I had thought my July 4th weekend was to be like any other - filled with a series of barbecues and lazy poolside days. So when I was asked to join more than 100 ONE Campaign delegates to represent the voice of Americans at the G8 Summit in Scotland, I couldn’t have been more surprised, or more honored. Actress Maria Bello asks Americans to help make child poverty history at a ONE Campaign rally in Philadelphia prior to Live 8. My first stop was the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia. The ONE Campaign kicked off the morning with a rally behind the Philadelphia Art Museum. It was inspiring to see so many ONE Campaign supporters from all corners of the country representing their communities. We were joined by actress Maria Bello, a long-time friend and supporter of Save the Children. Maria, Chris Tucker, Jars of Clay band members and actress Melissa Fitzgerald greeted the crowd of over 200 to welcome them to this historic event and to remind everyone of our purpose, to make poverty history! ONE delegates from across the U.S. converged on Philadelphia for Live 8 and departed for Scotland for the G8 Summit. After the rally, I was swept up in a sea of elated ONE delegates and headed over to the Live 8 concert. City officials estimate one million people turned out to attend the concert, and I believe it! I was overwhelmed that so many people came out to learn about and support the cause – and to listen to good music of course. The next day, we (the ONE delegates, including Save the Children President and CEO Charles MacCormack), went to Edinburgh, Scotland. Sir Richard Branson, Sir Bob Geldof, Djimon Hounsou, and Natalie Imbruglia joined us, along with international supporters of the ONE campaign (known as the “Make Poverty History” Campaign in the UK). They traveled from as far as Guatemala, Colombia, Mali, and South Africa to make their presence known and their voices heard on behalf of the people of Africa. CEO Charles MacCormack (far right) with Sir Richard Branson, Sir Bob Geldof, Djimon Honssou, Natalie Imbruglia, and Estelle, traveled with more than 100 ONE delegates to Edinburgh for the G8 Summit. In Edinburgh I was struck by all the “Make Poverty History” signs. They were everywhere – wrapped around buildings, in storefronts, on the walls of castles, in churches. The entire city had embraced the message and was letting the world know about it. The mood was very uplifting. The three days we were there went by in a whirl of activity and energy. Daily events as diverse as briefings with White House policy advisors to a Live 8 concert in Edinburgh kept us in the know and on the go. Unfortunately, not everything was positive. Protests on the streets of Edinburgh caused many disruptions – including the cancellation of a Save the Children event with George Clooney to bring the messages of thousands of children and their families to the leaders of the G8. What a disappointment! Children from a Save the Children UK program in Glasgow write messages to the G8 leaders at an event in Edinburgh. Thousands of messages from children and families had been collected prior to the G8 Summit and attached to the globe behind the children.   Exhausted but energized we departed for home on Thursday. On our way we were shocked and saddened by news of the London bombings. Despite these tragic events the G8 leaders announced a plan to double aid to Africa by 2010. Now, we need to make sure the leaders deliver on this promise. As I reflect on my recent travels, the dedication of the other ONE Campaign delegates, the work of my Save the Children colleagues in Uganda, Sudan, Malawi and the commitments made by the G8 leaders, I am moved and inspired to continue my work for change. This grand confluence of events, this global movement, can bring about change. I know we can do it. Now is the time to urge our leaders to live up to their commitments to children in Africa and around the world. Save the Children CEO Charles MacCormack and George Clooney, a supporter of the ONE Campaign.They traveled to Edinburgh for the G8 Summit to represent the voices of children and more than a million Americans who have joined the ONE Campaign. Like the millions of people that have added their voice to this movement, I know that my voice is an integral part of the campaign to make child poverty history. I hope that you will join me, and make your voice heard today. Sign the ONE campaign declaration