From 6 to 7 billion people

On 12 October 1999 the world population reached 6 billion. Now twelve years on and we are on the verge of being a world of 7 billion. To mark this historic milestone the 7 billion Actions Campaign, with the support of the United Nations Population Fund, is using social media to bring attention to the world’s plight as we meet this new milestone.

7 Billion People. 7 Billion Actions
(http://www.7billionactions.org/)

Born from a unique gathering of leaders from media, corporations, NGOs, universities, and grassroots organizations, 7 Billion Actions is a global movement open to every organization and individual committed to addressing the most challenging issues of our time.

7 Billion is a challenge: Today, the most pressing human concerns transcend national boundaries. As more and more people join those of us already here, new challenges will arise and solving existing challenges will become increasingly important.

7 Billion is an opportunity: There are problems that can, and must be solved. As individuals, we play a key role in creating a sustainable world characterized by balance and peace for all. We are part of a big, interconnected community where actions taken in one country or region can have an immediate impact on the other parts of the globe.

7 Billion is call to action: Reducing inequities and finding ways to ensure the well-being of people alive today –as well as the generations to follow- will require new ways of thinking and unprecedented global cooperation. In a world of 7 Billion people, we are all in this together and are counting on each other. Working together, incremental actions will create exponential results.

Tremendous breakthroughs are happening in board­rooms, labs, kitchens, and communities all over the globe. Actions and innovations that have the potential to change our world gain power as they are shared, replicated, and expanded.

This bold, collaborative movement will showcase the stories and actions of people making significant impact in their local communi­ties and abroad.

Be sure to stay connected as the movement continues to grow:

** You can read-up on the making of this project in this article by Don Bulmer at SocialMediaToday
http://socialmediatoday.com/don-bulmer/310424/social-movement-seven-billion-people

Key dates to watch out for:

July 11: World Population Day
            Launch of 7 Billion Actions Campaign

October 24-31: UN Day
            7-day countdown to 7 billion

November 2:
            Launch of the State of World Report

When there were only 6 billion others

In 2008 UNRIC helped the GoodPlanet Foundation and Photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand translate a series of interviews part of the “6 billion Others” project which was launched in January 2009.

For more than 10 years, Yann Arthus-Bertrand had been drawing a portrait of the planet through his aerial photography. Yet, he felt something was missing from this testimony of the planet we live on - the views and beliefs of the people that inhabit it, all 6 billion of them.

To collect the experience and philosophy of the life of the world’s inhabitants through filmed interviews was then the following stage.

5,000 interviews were filmed in 75 countries by 6 directors over a period of 4 years. From a Brazilian fisherman to a Chinese shopkeeper, from a German performer to an Afghan farmer, all answered the same questions about their fears, dreams, ordeals, hopes:

“What have you learnt from your parents? What do you want to pass on to your children? What difficult circumstances have you been through? What does love mean to you?”

Forty or so questions that help us understand what divides us and what unites us. You can watch these unique testimonies on the dedicated website: http://www.6milliardsdautres.org/