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 Associate Editor at Africa Confidential. He is Research Fellow at the School of Public and Development Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. He recently released the bestselling book Thabo Mbeki and the Battle for the Soul of the ANC.
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 COMMENTSJun 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 | 109 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. Presently he is a visiting professor 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 Princeton, NJ | 13 COMMENTSREADER RESPONSE
» 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...
