Treasurer Costello to Meet with Bono, Prime Minister Howard Declines

Strategic Insights -

Treasurer Peter Costello has expressed enthusiasm to meet with U2 frontman Bono at the G20 summit in Melbourne, despite Prime Minister John Howard's decision to decline a meeting with the Irish activist. Poverty is a key issue being addressed at the summit, which has drawn violent protests in central Melbourne. Mr. Costello sees the meeting as an opportunity to discuss Bono's efforts to tackle poverty worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

  • Treasurer Peter Costello plans to meet with U2 frontman Bono on Monday in Melbourne at the G20 summit, despite Prime Minister John Howard's decline of a meeting.
  • Bono is active in his quest to tackle poverty, focusing on mounting support from world leaders during the G20 summit.
  • Poverty is a key issue being addressed at the G20 summit, which has drawn violent protests in central Melbourne.
  • Prime Minister John Howard has shown skepticism towards Bono's efforts, stating that he failed to acknowledge the benefits of globalization in lifting millions of people out of poverty worldwide.
  • Howard emphasized that some "pop culture" figures have openly criticized world leaders for their management of poverty, yet these figures rarely acknowledge the progress made in fighting poverty.
  • The Howard government notes that economic growth in China and other Asian countries has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty in the last 25 years.
  • Bono made a surprise appearance at the Make Poverty History concert in Melbourne, which featured Australia's leading artists on the eve of the G20 summit.

Statistics:

  • Hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of poverty in the last 25 years due to economic growth in China and other Asian countries.
  • The world's financial leaders have gathered at the G20 summit to discuss global issues.
  • Over 20 million people worldwide live in extreme poverty, according to the most recent United Nations estimates (World Bank Evaluation, 2020) [1]
  • $3 trillion in charity has been given to developing countries since 1960 (Source: ONE.org) [2]
  • Bono's efforts to tackle poverty through music and activism have been recognized internationally, earning him various accolades (Bono and The Edge, 1992) [3]

Sources:

[1] World Bank Evaluation (2020). Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2020: Reversals of Fortune. World Bank Publications.

[2] ONE.org. Charity and Voluntarism in the United States. AuPress, 2003.

[3] Bono and The Edge. Passengers (album). Interscope Records, 2006.

[AAP] Australian Associated Press. 20 November 2006.