Roberta Armani speaks about Elle Magazine's work with (RED) in Milan

Roberta Armani spoke at Elle Magazine's launch of their global collaboration with (RED), during Milan's Fashion Week at the Palazzo Visconti. She highlighted Emporio Armani's commitment to its partnership with (RED).



IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY

Just like the song goes, welcome to this "beautiful day"... where we celebrate a watershed moment in the worlds of fashion, publishing and philanthropy. A moment where people came together...and made a difference. A moment where the team at Elle found the agility to walk the tightrope far out on the limb of "big ideas"...with grace and guts and - I need a U2 drum roll right now please - and with glory!

Congratulations Elle!

President Barack Obama, sworn in only moments ago in the most historic inauguration of our times, said it best. His mantra -- YES WE CAN!

"Yes we can" is what Elle said to "going (RED)" in a mind-boggling total of 30 issues! On different continents. In various languages. In countless cities. In towns across the globe. Elle has just made magazine history with this exceptional and bold commitment. I am so proud to stand here in appreciation - I am sure I will turn red myself!

Indeed, I will never forget the day when Bono and Bobby Shriver took the house of Armani to the edge of the cliff. I am honored to say...we jumped!

In becoming a founding partner in the brilliant "big idea" called (RED), Emporio Armani (RED) learned about the concept of purchasing with a purpose. We had our brains and hearts cracked open. I can hear my friend Bono whispering this in my ear right now-"tell them you are saving millions of lives every day. So shop til it stops."

When we answered the rallying call for the ingenious and aptly named (RED), it mobilized our company in a way never seen before. The undertone of "emergency" for (RED) was not an accident. And now that call has been answered with this remarkable (RED) project at ELLE.

Back in 2006, Bono and Bobby Shriver gave birth to their simple idea. I've been friends with Bobby for many years. In fact, my family worked with his family on the astounding Special Olympics. My uncle sponsored the Italian games and sent Special Olympics Christmas cards several years in a row. As Bobby recently said: "Ideas like (RED) and Special Olympics always originate in the heart."

Some five years ago, Bobby started brainstorming about achieving something positive and tangible for ailing Africa: an ambition that turned into reality after our meeting with Bono and Bobby at the Special Olympics World Games in Dublin. We listened to music, of course, and Bono riffed about ways to improve the world, save lives, eradicate hunger, and wipe out poverty.

Oh yes, we were going to change the world. And one solution became (RED) – a subversive new model in the staid world of 'cause' marketing.

My uncle was very moved hearing about the project. I saw the same intensity of emotion on his face, the same deep understanding of an extraordinary initiative, that goes beyond conventional charity.

Hey. Let's set up a commercial venture focused on fundraising, involving a range of international brands. Some people ask, why. We like people who ask, WHY NOT!

We were so proud to become founding partners in what has become a movement perfectly expressed by the words Revolution, Evolution and Devotion, of which (RED) is an acronym.

Today is a milestone for Elle - but let me tell you briefly about our own (RED) milestone. Giorgio Armani in person announced his commitment to (RED) at the World Economic Forum in Davos, January 2006. He had been absolutely won over by the brilliant simplicity of the project, which can be summarized like this: every time anyone buys (RED), a fixed portion of the proceeds is transferred to the Global Fund, which supports programs to combat Aids in Africa. My uncle allocated an increasing number of products to this initiative. To the point where (EMPORIO ARMANI) RED is now somewhat of a parallel collection unto itself, ranging from eyewear to tuxedos. In fact, exclusive (RED) product will be featured in our new concept store, Armani 5th Avenue, on February 17 in New York City.

So you can see, (RED) has become part of us, heart and soul, an integral aspect of the complete Armani world. When my uncle introduced this remarkable concept for active intervention, he used words that I feel encapsulate the purpose of the project. Mr. Armani said: “I consider myself a democratic designer, and as such I will become involved in this initiative, working in the only way I know: with the total involvement of all those around me."

But perhaps his most poignant words regarding (RED) were uttered at Davos. Here he was -- the only fashion designer to ever address this great economic forum, teeming with world leaders and international intellectuals. When it came his turn at the microphone, Mr. Armani said: "I joined (RED) as an act of friendship and belief. I've always seen my job as trying to make the world just a little more beautiful everyday. AIDS is ugly. So now I know my job is to help in Africa too...to help the people there...to make their world a little more beautiful as well."

Elle magazine - BRAVO. Yours IS a beautiful world. And brava, to the grace and generosity of such fantastic project partners as the gorgeous inside and out Gisele Bundchen.

I stand here BRIGHT (RED), with congratulations from myself, my uncle, and all of our fellow (RED) partners around the globe.

With this issue, you SO far transcended fashion and publishing...that you changed the world. YES WE CAN. And YES...Elle, YOU DID.

The Impact of the Financial Crisis on the Developing World

Michel D. Kazatchkine is the head of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which was established in 2002 with the support of then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the world's leaders, to dramatically increase resources to fight three of the world's most devastating diseases. (RED) products have raised over 120,000,000 for The Global Fund.

The Impact of the Financial Crisis on the Developing World

by Michel D. Kazatchkine

DAVOS -- Gazing at the faces of contrite bankers and somewhat shell-shocked politicians who are in Davos trying to figure out how to right a capsized global economy, I wish to remind them that if the world's rich think they have never had it so bad, the developing world is having it worse.

As head of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, an organization which has put 2 million people on life-saving antiretroviral therapy since it was founded 7 years ago, I am acutely aware of how vulnerable developing countries are to getting caught in the brutal downdraft of the financial crisis.

In this regard, I welcome US financier George Soros's candid admission that the developing world is likely to be handed a particularly raw deal in a crisis that is not of its own making. Writing in the Financial Times on Jan. 29, Soros said "How unfair the system is has been revealed by a crisis that originated in the US yet is doing more damage to the periphery."

In the middle of this turmoil, rich nations cannot forget they have a responsibility to help narrow huge inequities between rich and developing nations, especially in access to healthcare. Now is not time for the richest countries to focus solely on their own back yards or to turn their backs on poverty and disease. Health is one area where we are really making a difference.

Although the proportion of people in developing nations living in extreme poverty, or on less than 1 dollar a day, has fallen since the beginning of the 1990s, the gap between rich and poor grows ever wider. For example, the share in national consumption in the developing world of the poorest quartile of the population fell from 46 percent to 39 percent between 1990 and 2004. Even more worryingly, wealth remains a key determinant of access to healthcare in developing countries.

Every year more than 100 million people are made destitute, falling below the absolute poverty line, because they are saddled with back-breaking health bills. Putting this situation to rights is in everybody's interest. Without access to proper healthcare there can never be real development. Health must be at the core of development; it is not just a desirable add-on. In a globalized world, the health and security of the poorest nations are inextricably linked with the health and security of the richest.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman has summed up the challenge neatly:

Investing in reducing inequalities in health, and in education, are not only important for reasons of ethics and equity, but contribute to restoring economic efficiency, functional markets and global growth.

These are the messages I will be sharing with world leaders at Davos this week.

This blog post also appears at The Huffington Post.

(RED) Goes to Washington

Hello everyone!

(RED) Staffers Angela, Morgan and Hallie went to the Presidential Inauguration in DC last week and wanted to share some of the experience.

Early last Sunday, we left New York to go to DC in time for HBO’s “We Are One” concert spectacle. The city was abuzz as we walked with hundreds of people down to the Lincoln Memorial to catch the show.


There were celebrities, both actors and musicians who were there to narrate, and it was a concert filled with so much passion and hope you could feel it all the way to the back of the Washington monument. We watched great performances from many artists including (RED)’s co-founder Bono.

Inauguration Day came and we headed to the National Mall to witness history. We were up at 4:30am, and in place by 5:45am. Many others were ahead of us but we still scored a great spot on the lawn - close to one of the first jumbotrons by the Capitol Building, where Barack Obama would be taking the oath of President.


We thought we had come prepared for the cold, unrecognizable behind our heavy layers, but somehow our toes still froze! We passed the time before the inauguration dancing in place, crying out loud, turning our desperation into any form of comedy we could – our laughs kept us energized.

But the feeling was great, and the mood unparalleled. Just to stand amongst the masses who, like us, just wanted to bear witness to this event, to experience it live, in person and as real as it could be – it was amazing and unprecedented. It was truly extraordinary to see so many people from all different walks of life, joyous with the possibilities of our revived country. We were happy to be a part of it.


After we returned back from D.C., we began to think about what this transition of power would mean for (RED)’s cause to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Regardless of what side of the political aisle you stand on, it’s quite amazing to think about the progress America has made in its commitment in combating HIV/AIDS, due largely to former President Bush’s initiative, The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (or PEPFAR). It has been in progress since only 2003, but has already provided $18.8 Billion dollars towards HIV/AIDS funding—the largest health initiative dedicated to a single disease.

While PEPFAR has made some great headway, there is still much that needs to be done. The Obama administration made commitments throughout the campaign that would help to improve millions of lives across Africa including increased access to water, education, and building health infrastructure. President Obama also committed to fully funding PEPFAR.

This past July, PEPFAR was extended for 5 more years, and the U.S. has pledged to increase funding to $48 billion. President Obama is a co-sponsor of this bill, which included that during this fragile economic climate our government will be able to part with so much money, but the message, as the torch is passed from the Bush to Obama administrations, is that – like (RED) – America’s commitment to fight HIV/AIDS remains strong.

Overall, the last week has given us a lot to look forward to. With (RED) having reached $120 million in generated dollars to the Global Fund, and with the start of a brand new administration aligned with (RED)’s goals, it makes us incredibly proud to be an American and part of (RED)!

Elle Magazine Features Gisele for (RED)

Check out behind-the-scenes footage of Gisele Bundchen from her ELLE Magazine photo shoot in support of (RED). ELLE has teamed up with Bono, Scarlett Johansson and Gisele to feature (RED) in more than thirty editions globally, speaking to more than 20 million readers.

Calling All Filmmakers!

(RED) is proud to be partnering with our friends at the Vail Film Festival again this year.

We are excited to announce that the festival will once again be hosting a special “(RED) Vision” film competition category, and want to invite filmmakers and aspiring filmmakers to create a short film or video inspired by (RED).

Your film of 3-5 minutes should capture the spirit of (RED) - bringing together desire and virtue by transforming our collective power as consumers into a financial force to help others in need. The films can be abstract, animated or narrative - the choice is yours. We are looking for bold new filmmakers that can bring our model to live on screen.

Act soon – the deadline to enter is February 27th! To submit a film, and for more information, please visit:

http://www.vailfilmfestival.org/submissions.shtml

We look forward to seeing your creations!

The Vail Film Festival, one of the top ten film festivals in the world, has been a long standing supporter of (RED). Watch festival founders Scott and Sean Cross talk about why they believe so much in what (RED) does here:



Last year's winner, Armen Evrensel, director of Binty.

Lesotho Part II: Youth and Awareness Building Activities

One of the most difficult things we learned while in Lesotho is how disproportionately affected young people are by HIV. Alarmingly, 45% of new infections in the country are among the 15-24 age group.

So why are young people especially at-risk in Lesotho? And what does that mean for education, prevention, and treatment approaches?

Cultural, societal and behavioral reasons all factor in.

As in many countries, the open discussion of sex and sexuality is still taboo. In general, sex is assumed to be between two married people. If it isn’t recognized that youth are engaging in sexual activity, open communication about prevention is tough. Even among adults, issues like sex outside of marriage, homosexuality, and prostitution are rarely acknowledged. Geographic and economic barriers also contribute to the challenges of education and awareness building.

To address these issues, Lesotho’s Global Fund Coordinating Unit (GFCU) has come up with creative ways to spread awareness and encourage testing.

Their “Know Your Status” campaign was launched in 2006 and continues today.

Like most campaigns around the world it uses what we call “traditional advertising”: outdoor boards, posters, radio commercials, television ads, pamphlets and newspaper ads. The messaging focuses on different aspects of “knowing your status”:

• First, know if you are HIV positive or negative – then take appropriate action.
• Know your partner’s history: as one poster points out“Do you know the ex-boyfriend of your ex-boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend?”
• Practice safe sex
• Get tested if you are pregnant
• Basic safety – don’t share razors or toothbrushes



And starting in 2009, Lesotho will begin integrating an HIV curriculum into primary schools.
The program also includes proper education for the disabled - a widely overlooked segment that Lesotho wants to make sure isn’t left behind. Information is provided in Braille and counselors and teachers are trained in sign language.

This will not only help stem prevalence in future generations but will also help reduce stigma early on.



Of course, as we know, none of us like to be lectured or told what to do, especially between the ages of 15 and 24. So, Lesotho has developed some innovative approaches to get the message out, embracing the idea of “edutainment” and integrating learning with engaging activities in order to break through.

Some recent examples:
• A “Living Positively Pageant” – a beauty pageant featuring HIV+ women and men – meant to demonstrate that it is possible to live healthy lives on ARVs and to help reduce stigma.
• Organized Sporting Events – meant to encourage athletic participation, interspersed with educational moments



• Sponsored Music and Craft Events – again, utilizing relevant activities to insure a large gathering of key demographics while educating in between
• Movies with a Message – producing engaging plays and a film with information about HIV and AIDS woven throughout the plot. Recent surveys after test screenings have shown positive reception to this form of education.



While the younger generation faces heightened risks when it comes to HIV, the good news is that these children are already on their way to becoming aware, eliminating stigma and helping each other. Our friends from the Global Fund Coordinating Unit told us the following story from one of their schools:

Students who have been orphaned by AIDS can make up 40-50% of many classes. At one school, parents started noticing that their children’s items were going missing, and approached the teacher about it. They were concerned that the AIDS orphans may have been stealing from their children and wanted it to stop. The teacher told them that they were mistaken.
In fact, what was happening was that all the students were friends regardless of stigma or level of poverty. The children who were better off were giving their items to their friends so they wouldn’t have to be without.



We were really touched by that story. It gave us hope for the next generation – and grateful for everything that is being done to change the course of HIV and AIDS in Lesotho.

- Monica Valenti and Christina Malito, (RED) Staffers

(RED) University Ambassadors Update

As the New Year and the 2009 Spring Semester starts, we’d like to share how our (RED) University Ambassadors spread the (RED) message across their campuses – culminating in great World AIDS Day events on all. Take a look!


At the Notre Dame, University of Wisconsin – Madison and Harvard, weeklong symposiums were held that explained the AIDS epidemic in Africa and how (RED) works. Students hosted speaker series, were featured in their campus newspapers and on campus radio, set up info tables, held film screenings and participated in concerts.

Thanks to Simon at Notre Dame, Jordyn at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and Tian at Harvard for all of their hard work!



http://ndasonegoesred.blogspot.com/


http://makeuwred.blogspot.com/


http://www.harvardempowered.blogspot.com/



At North Carolina A &T, Stephanie had a hugely successful (PRODUCT)RED fashion show that showcased a wide range of the (PRODUCT)RED products and featured performances by the models. So many ‘Aggies’ came out to attend that it was standing room only and even then it became so crowded, the fire department had to turn people away!

Stephanie is a sophomore - and a born and bred North Carolinian! Thanks Stephanie!

http://stephaniered.blogspot.com/


In San Diego, Kelsey set up shop for the day in the busy quad area of San Diego State’s massive campus, and engaged with hundreds of students all day long, showing them what (PRODUCT)RED items they could purchase, and even getting them to pose in her ‘bracket’ banner!

Kelsey is native to California and is a sophomore at San Diego State University, thanks Kelsey!


http://sdsugoesred.blogspot.com/


At Sacred Heart, in addition to hosting speakers - and being a featured speaker himself - Mike and his team arranged a (RED) shopping trip to various locations – Gap, Hallmark, Starbucks -- where they encouraged fellow students and holiday shoppers in their community to choose (PRODUCT)RED.

Mike is a junior at Sacred Heart working on a degree in international business. Thanks Mike!


http://joinredshu.wordpress.com/


A big shout out to all our (RED) Ambassadors! They helped (RED) connect one-on-one: to give people a chance to hear about how (RED) works, ask questions and understand how the simplest purchase decision can help make a difference, a big difference, for someone living with HIV in Africa.

We look forward to what our ambassadors will do this Spring and can’t wait to update you on their progress!