ABC2 joins Why Poverty?

ABC2 will join more than 70 international TV broadcasters across more than 180 countries in a cross-media event to raise awareness of issues surrounding Poverty.

Called Why Poverty? this takes place around the world from 26 to 30 November.

An estimated audience of 500 million people worldwide will see  Why Poverty?

The event does not ask for money, but asks questions, shares information, encourages debate and provides online resources.

“From questioning the cult of celebrity endorsement to investigations into the inequities of global trade, these films, from some of the world’s most celebrated filmmakers, offer a range of perspectives on poverty,” said ABC2 Controller Stuart Menzies.

“Seventy plus broadcasters coming together is rare indeed – this will bring global attention to the series and hopefully start a new discussion about world poverty. For ABC2, it is the type of programming that we are here to showcase: provocative and engaging stories concerning subjects of importance, and ones that our audience care about.”

ABC2 will premiere five films over five nights from 26 to 30 November.

On Monday November 26 at 9.30pm, Alex Gibney’s Park Avenue: Money, Power & the American Dream (pictured), an investigation into how the extreme wealth of a few has created inequality for so many Americans.

On Tuesday November 27 at 9.30pm, Bosse Lindquist’s Give Us the Money, an exploration of how and why celebrities have become the self-appointed spokespeople for Africa’s poor.

On Wednesday November 28 at 9.30pm, Christoffer Guldbrandsen’s Stealing Africa, the story of global trade and corruption in Zambia where money and natural resources have ended up in the hands of the wealthy.

On Thursday November 29 at 9.30pm, Jehane Noujaim’s Solar Mamas, tracing one woman’s journey as she tries to pull herself out of poverty via a unique training school in India.

On Friday November 30 at 9.30pm, Brian Hill’s Welcome to the World, a close look at the challenging and life altering circumstances babies are born into in Cambodia, Sierra Leone and the USA.