What happened when One Direction fans asked for global change?

1. One Direction asked their fans – what kind of world do you want to live in?

This time last year, Niall, Liam, Harry and Louis put this question to their fans as part of their action/1D campaign. It was all part of action/2015 – a worldwide movement that saw more than 2,200 organisations (including Save the Children) unite. Why? Because, we wanted 2015 to be the year that world leaders made some important promises that could end extreme poverty, tackle inequality and stop climate change.

2. Their fans responded – in their thousands

The One Direction family – including young people from 172 countries around the world – replied. They took photos and made videos explaining what they wanted for the world, from education for all to equality. Their voices were passionate and full of hope for a world where everyone can be accepted for who they are, and be free to do what they love doing. Their voices helped us ensure world leaders felt the pressure of millions of people to make 2015 a year of action and change.

3. World leaders made some big promises

The next month, at the United Nations summit, world leaders signed the new Global Goals for Sustainable Development. It’s a set of promises that could save 6,500 children’s lives – every single day – for the next 15 years. It was a historic moment because governments agreed that the goals must be met by ‘all nations, all peoples and all segments of society.’

4. That means no one should be forgotten because of who or where they are

That includes children like Yaman, who stopped talking when he was forced to leave his home in Syria and make a dangerous journey across the desert to Jordan. He hasn’t been able to get proper medical help because he’s a refugee. That’s what our new campaign – Every Last Child – is all about.

5. We’re making sure every last child is reached

One Direction asked what kind of world we want to live in. And here at Save the Children, we want to live in a world where every child – no matter where they’re born, no matter what their gender, ethnicity, religion or physical ability – gets life-saving healthcare and goes to school. We must now show ambition and turn commitments made last year from paper into reality. Over the next three years, we’ll make sure millions of the world’s children aren’t forgotten anymore. But we need your help – sign our petition now.

Some names changed to protect identity.