A presentation by the Global Poverty Project proved to be more than just another convocation, Monday night in Elkins Auditorium. Led by Jessica Mason, one of the organization's "road scholars," the presentation aimed to encourage the audience to take action against world poverty.

Mason affirmed that there are 1.4 billion people living on less than $1.25 per day. One in seven of the world's people go hungry every night while there is a capacity to feed every person one and a half times over. The project team is presenting the "1.4 Billion Reasons" campaign to show everyday people what they can do to help battle extreme poverty.

The presentation suggests that even the most mundane of your actions can make an immense difference in the lives of the world's poorest. The Global Poverty Project also links their audience members to poverty-alleviation organizations to give people an opportunity to take action. The presentation has five sections: "What is extreme poverty?" Can we do anything about it?" "What are the barriers to ending extreme poverty?" "Why should we care?" and "What can I do?"

Mason explained that students could avoid complacency by recognizing the global corruption that needs to be addressed. For example, the ruler's son in Equatorial Guinea owns a $35 million estate in Malibu and has recently purchased a $380 million yacht. French, English and US banks were all involved in the money transfer. Mason suggested that young people have the power to raise awareness and protest this issue of graft.

The Global Poverty Project's presentation is being conducted nation-wide at conferences, schools, universities, churches, workplaces and festivals. The organization is also leading a campaign called, "Live Below the Line," challenging participants to live on less that $1.50 per day for five days. After leaving Pepperdine, the "Live Below the Line" campaign will travel to colleges and festivals in Seattle, New Orleans, Houston, Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Boston and Atlanta.