THE QUESTION

Actress Drew Barrymore is now lobbying Congress for the UN World Food Program. Do Hollywood star-activists help bring attention to global problems, or do they get in the way of those who know what they're doing?

From the newspaper:
Hollywood Stars Find an Audience For Social Causes

Posted by Ignatius, Zakaria & Ahn on June 11, 2007 10:52 AM

FROM THE PANEL

William M. Gumede is a former deputy editor of The Sowetan, Johannesburg. He is the author of the bestselling Thabo Mbeki and the Battle for the Soul of the ANC. His new book, The Democracy Gap: AfricaŹ¼s Wasted Years, will be released in the U.S. in May, 2009.

Causes Too Often Go Out of Fashion

Africa needs genuine friends. The danger is always that Africa will become a passing fad. Western leaders speak eloquently about the advantages of globalization, but the rules are stacked in favor of the West. Celebrities can do a great deal if they partner with Africans on issues Africans have identified themselves.

William M. Gumede South Africa | 15 COMMENTS
Jun 12, 2007 at 9:33 AM
Bashir Goth is a veteran journalist, freelance writer, the first Somali blogger and editor of a leading news website. He is also a regular contributor to major Middle Eastern and African newspapers and online journals.

Only Human to Believe Good Intentions

Bashir Goth Somalia/UAE | 131 COMMENTS
Leon Krauze is a Mexican blogger and a founder of letraslibres.com.

Bono & Jolie Do Their Homework

Leon Krauze Mexico | 27 COMMENTS
Daoud Kuttab is a Palestinian journalist. He was born in Jerusalem in 1955. He is a former Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton University in the United States. Mr. Kuttab is the former director of the Institute of Modern Media at Al Quds University in Ramallah, Palestine and the founder of AmmanNet, the Arab world's first internet radio station. His personal web page is www.daoudkuttab.com.

Richard Gere Attracts Israelis & Palestinians

Daoud Kuttab Jerusalem/Amman, Jordan | 13 COMMENTS
Miklos Vamos
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» Dave! | The WFP was established in 1963. It has three goals: 1) save lives in refugee and other emergency situations; 2) improve the nutrition and quality ...
» Frank | I personally get tired of celebrities who think that they know better merely because they are famous and wealthy. Neither fame nor wealth assures that...
» MikeB | One of the very real problems with "stars", professional athletes, and even professional politician's is that people belive in them. I cannot fathom w...
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PostGlobal is an interactive conversation on global issues moderated by Newsweek International Editor Fareed Zakaria and David Ignatius of The Washington Post. It is produced jointly by Newsweek and washingtonpost.com, as is On Faith, a conversation on religion. Please send us your comments, questions and suggestions.