Well we saw some amazing performances at the Live 8 concerts: the Sgt. Pepper collaboration with Paul McCartney and U2, Will Smith gettin' jiggy with it like no one else can, the Pink Floyd reunion, Jay-Z and Linkin' Park mashing it up, Stevie Wonder and friends, Green Day's Queen tribute and many many more. Even Madonna brought her A game.

Sprinkled among the terrific performances the organizers disseminated concise and cogent educational points about debt relief, fair trade and medical realities of children born in the poorest countries. But, the most educational and in my opinion action-inspiring moment, came when Madonna was clearly moved and had to visibly fight back the tears when she embraced Birhan Woldu, who appeared as a child close to death in videos at the original Live Aid concerts. Woldu, now a beautiful young woman, is a living testament to how we can impact peoples lives for the better when we act in a smart and compassionate manner.

The real stars of the day though were the people who came out to all the shows or participated online. Around the world, millions attended the concerts and signed the One campaign's petition to world leaders asking for action. The celebrities themselves recognize that it is the people who have the power to affect change by educating themselves and putting pressure on the politicians to take some simple steps that can yield enormous and worthy results. Not everyone can be saved, but if the people who were touched by the shows take their new knowledge and call, write, visit, fax, or email their leaders then more children like Birhan Woldu can have a fair shot at living a full and healthy life.

The Live 8 events have already gotten the attention of key world leaders. Commenting on the music and art communities' involvement with these issues, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said:

It is interesting that the so-called sort of rock stars have got behind this because they have approached it in a very practical and responsible way. Bob Geldof was part of the Commission for Africa which was the report that took as many months to write with representatives from the wealthy countries and African countries, and we put it all together. He hasn't simply gone out there and paraded his conscience and said it is terrible, now do something about it. He probably knows as much about this problem as anybody else in the world at the moment. And he has worked at it, and the others, Bono and people, are serious about it, and they are not grandstanding either. They are not just out there saying give us perfection and if you don't you have failed. They are saying look here are practical things that we can do, now let us try and mobilise support behind it.

Blair makes a key point. Celebrities are often criticized for commenting on social issues. Its as if some people view celebrities as having lost their right to speak out once they become famous. But, in this case there is no question that those involved at the top, Geldof and Bono in particular, have spent time on the ground in Africa, have studied the history, have thought about the economics of the situation and are presenting very practical and affordable solutions, which will return a tangible benefit.

Of course, Bono couldn't resist a little theatre as he juxtaposed the stark differences in the lives of the G8 leaders and those who's lives they can save.

"So this is our moment. This is our time. This is our chance to stand up for what's right," Bono said. "Next week, eight of the most powerful men in the world will meet on a golf course in Scotland. The stakes are high. This is our moment. We can make history by making poverty history."

The conversation on tackling poverty issues continues this week as world leaders converge on Scotland to discuss various proposals at the G8 Summit. We know that politicians are good at talking. But, as Tony Blair said himself, action matters: "if you take HIV Aids or malaria, or TB or polio, yes it is perfectly obvious that where action is taken, results are made."

So, here's hoping the other G8 participants heard the message shouted loud and clear yesterday and act, not as politicians, but as leaders and make history by helping to improve and extend the lives of millions of children around the world.

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