One World: Together at Home

By Lara Mizne  

On the 18th of April, during quarantine, the Global Citizen came up with an idea for an event: One World, a Home music festival featuring various talented and world-renowned artists. The cause behind it was to raise money to support the World Health Organization’s Solidarity Fund, which works to equip healthcare workers around the world.  

As requested by the UN and the WHO, Global Citizen began this project to show support to the COVID-19 responders by inspiring people through music to stay home during these tough times. It was a historic event conducted through an online platform and celebrated those on the frontlines who are currently fighting the virus - some of whom spoke in the event- while bringing together an exceptionally talented group of artists to perform for an audience. Of course, the festival also provided a form of entertainment for those isolated and united citizens of the world in order to beat the Coronavirus.   

The festival was curated in collaboration with Lady Gaga, where she was asked to enlist artists to perform in the virtual festival, putting together an amazing lineup unlike any other. During the 8-hour event, more than 100 artists performed from their homes. These include Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Billie Eilish, Charlie Puth, John Legend, Niall Horan, Hozier, Stevie Wonder, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift, Camilla Cabelo and Shawn Mendes. ​

After the event, it was declared to the public that a total of $127.9 million was raised and the money was all given to the World Health Organization Solidarity Response Fund, according to the Global Citizen movement. Some of the money was used in order to aid items such as surgical masks, gloves, gowns, goggles and face shields to 68 countries in the world, which do not have enough resources to tackle the pandemic. The rest of the money was then used to supply $1.5 million diagnostic kits to 120 countries so that they could accurately detect those with the virus.  
Overall, the event was a success, raising $127.9 million to help the world to combat the pandemic, while also instructing all the many viewers to stay home and stay safe in order to prevent a bigger spread of the virus. Besides that, the festival also provided a source of entertainment for those stuck in quarantine, making their weekend one to remember. v