Sir Bob Geldof on The Power of The Individual

The recently concluded Youth Engagement Summit 2009 (YES2009) conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia brought together an impressive line-up of speakers. One of them was Sir Bob Geldof, best known as being the founder of Live Aid and Live 8.

Live Aid and Live 8

Back in the 1980s, rock music star (lead singer of Boomtown Rats) Sir Bob Geldof used his rock star connections to raise funds for charity in the form of Live Aid, a simultaneous multi-venue rock concert. In 2005, a new version of the former – Live 8 was again set up by Sir Geldof as part of the Make Poverty History campaign.

Simultaneously around the world in 10 cities, hundreds of thousands of people gathered for a massive rock-n-roll concert. Helmed by more than 1,000 artistes, of which we include Pink Floyd and Robbie Williams; and appearances by actors such as Will Smith; these people, swayed, danced, jumped to the infectious beat of the music. All the while getting the message of the whole purpose of Live 8 heard – that poverty is real, that people in some parts of the world aren’t as fortunate as we are and that we should try to help them. Actors such as Will Smith took the stage and impressed upon the audience of the fact that someone in a developing nation dies every 3 seconds.

Coming Together to Create Change

For Sir Geldof, he believes in the power of ideas, energy and most of all, individuals. For while formal power may remain with the state, individuals can work together to create change. Sir Geldof’s Live Aid and Live 8 concerts were obviously examples of how many individuals – singers, actors, celebrities – can come together to spread a powerful message and to change mindsets.

Always Question, Lead Yourself

His advice to young people is that they should never accept their position; to always question, to demand answers and to demand leadership. If leadership is not forthcoming, then they must lead themselves. It would seem that Sir Bob Geldof is indeed a great example of someone who actually stepped forward to try to be an agent of change himself.

Sir Bob Geldof at YES2009 press conference. Picture by Nicholas Khoo.

The Only Variable is You

“While chances of making the actual change is small, chances of the articulation of the change is very large.” To translate, while most great changes that we want to see in the world may be very difficult to achieve, the least we can ensure is that we ourselves try to make that change.

The only variable present in any form of change is the person who wants to make the change.

So what’s your takeaway from Sir Bob Geldof? If you want to see the change, make it happen. If not, at least try.

Related posts:

1. Represent Singapore at Youth Engagement Summit 2009