The Global Citizen Festival in New York’s Central Park last weekend was a concert organised by the Global Poverty Project (GPP) aimed at catalyzing a movement to end extreme poverty. Featuring Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Foo Fighters, the Black Keys and K’Naan, it was attended by more than 60,000 people and elicited an impressive $1.3 billion in pledges of funding for the various charities with which GPP is partnered.

Backstage at the event, Australian of the Year 2011 and chairman of GPP Australia Simon McKeon talks about his strong belief that the eradication of poverty is a goal that can be achieved in our lifetimes. “The real event is getting rid of global poverty,” he says. “And that can be done.”