Plot Synopsis

ACTIVATE: THE GLOBAL CITIZEN MOVEMENT is a six-part documentary series that takes audiences from the Global Citizen Festival stages to the front lines of change around the world while spotlighting real-time efforts to address issues related to extreme poverty. Through the eyes of celebrity activists -- including Hugh Jackman, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Becky G, Usher, Common, Rachel Brosnahan, Gayle King, Bonang Matheba, Pharrell Williams, Darren Criss and Uzo Aduba -- and told through the lens of National Geographic, viewers hear the stories, meet the people and witness firsthand the work that is being done to combat extreme poverty and inspire a global movement. Each one-hour episode delves into a different issue connected to the root causes of extreme poverty, following a specific Global Citizen campaign and the organizers, amplifiers, grassroots activists, action takers and people whose lives are being changed. Episode topics include eradicating extreme poverty, ending cash bail, breaking down barriers to girls' education, funding education for displaced children, ending plastic pollution and helping solve the water crisis. The series has been filmed internationally in Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines and South Africa, and across the United States in California, New York, Tennessee and Washington, D.C. Episodes include:

"Eradicating Extreme Poverty (Premieres: Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019): Hugh Jackman, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Becky G join Global Citizen in campaigns to push world leaders into enacting policy changes that would end extreme poverty around the globe. As Jackman prepares for the organization's massive Central Park festival, Becky G travels to Mexico to amplify Global Citizen's campaign to push companies to support women-owned businesses. Experts describe the state of extreme poverty around the world, the enormous progress that's been made in the past 20 years and innovative solutions being implemented across the globe, including P&G and its Charmin brand's supply chain sourcing efforts.

"Ending Cash Bail" (Premieres: Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019): Artists and activists Common and Usher team up with Global Citizen and grassroots organizers as they attempt to achieve historic criminal justice reform by ending the use of cash bail in New York state.

"Education Cannot Wait" (Premieres: Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019): Emmy Award-winning actor Rachel Brosnahan teams up with Global Citizen and travels to the border of Peru to see what happens to children's education during conflicts and natural disasters. After an emotional experience with displaced families, Brosnahan and Global Citizen return to the U.S., where they urge Ireland, the U.K. and the U.S. to pledge millions to Education Cannot Wait, a global fund for education during crises. Experts describe the disproportionate impact that natural disasters and conflict have on developing countries and ways people and brands around the world, like Tide, are providing effective relief during emergencies.

"Keeping Girls in School" (Premieres: Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019): Priyanka Chopra Jonas joins Global Citizen and activists around the globe as they campaign to break down barriers to girls' education. Meanwhile, Gayle King and Bonang Matheba rally tens of thousands of people to call on the South African government to commit $58 million toward ending "period poverty" and providing girls with the menstrual education and resources they need to stay in school and stay confident. Experts describe the broad range of issues that keep girls from getting an education in developing countries, and the enormous progress that's being made around the world, like the work by feminine care product brand Always to provide free educational resources.

"Ending Plastic Pollution" (Premieres: Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019): Pharrell Williams joins Global Citizen's push to get governments, companies and individuals to solve the ocean plastic pollution crisis. Meanwhile, Darren Criss travels to the Philippines to witness plastic's impact on people living in extreme poverty and calls on global citizens to urge their mayors to commit their cities to zero-waste futures. Experts describe the disproportionate impact of plastic pollution on people in developing countries and the ways people and brands, like Head & Shoulders, are solving the problem around the world.

"Clean Water" (Premieres: Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019): ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK star Uzo Aduba joins Global Citizen as they rally millions around the world to push for clean drinking water and proper sanitation for the world's most vulnerable people. They travel to Aduba's parents' homeland of Nigeria, where they urge governors to commit state funds to eradicate the contaminated water and open defecation crises. Experts describe the effects of contaminated drinking water on people in developing countries and solutions being implemented around the world, including the P&G Children's Safe Drinking Water Program.