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Calgary Herald

Bono's pro-Africa advocacy group coming to Calgary for G7 … but without him

Article content While Bono won't be among the high-powered guests attending the G7 summit in Kananaskis this coming weekend, his representatives say they hope his advocacy for causes in Africa will make an impact anyway. Article content Representatives for the One Campaign, which Bono founded more than two decades ago to fight poverty and preventable diseases, will host an event at Stephen Avenue near 3rd Street S.W. in downtown Calgary at 11 a.m. this Friday for what the group describes as an engaging and visual event ahead of the G7 meeting of world leaders in the picturesque mountains west of the city. Article content Article content Article content 'The event is designed to spark public dialogue about the trade war, Canada's energy potential, the need for trade diversification, and Canada's leadership on the world stage,' said campaign spokesman Justin MacAuley in a written statement, which also highlighted the retreat of the United States from its role in spurring global development. Article content Article content 'Prime Minister (Mark) Carney has a unique opportunity to fill that leadership gap, especially in relation to energy and Africa,' the group said. Article content Canada hasn't taken advantage of trade with Africa despite the potential for explosive economic and population growth, according to the One Campaign, missing out on billions of dollars' worth of imports and exports. Article content And while there is currently some amount of trade between Canada and African nations, mainly in autos, minerals and wheat, it pales in comparison to trade with Asia, the group argues. Article content Article content 'Since 2005, Canada's total imports from Africa have declined as a share of total imports,' says the campaign's website. 'Canada is missing a vital opportunity.' Article content Increasing economic ties with Africa could prove helpful as Canada continues to experience strained trade relations with the United States, the One Campaign added.