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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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NEWS ABOUT: celebrity humanitarianism

celebrity humanitarianism stories: 10 news summaries

 Brad Pitt for Mayor? 
 'I Don't Have a Chance'

But no, he's not running for mayor

Aug 13, 09 11:34 AM CDT
(Newser) - To mark the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Brad Pitt spoke to MSNBC about his effort to rebuild the Lower 9th Ward with his Make It Right foundation—and the grassroots campaign to push him to run for mayor of New Orleans. He says he'd run if chosen, but “... More »

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entertainment • Hurricane Katrina • Brad Pitt • New Orleans • celebrity • celebrity humanitarianism • Ninth Ward

 Angelina Tours Iraqi Camps 

UN Goodwill Ambassador sees some improvement for displaced Iraqis

Jul 23, 09 4:45 PM CDT
(Newser) - Angelina Jolie visited a refugee camp near Baghdad today, part of her duties as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency, People reports. While visiting one displaced family, she asked if they wished to return to their home. "No way," said one daughter, in a reminder of... More »

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Iraq • Angelina Jolie • Baghdad • refugee camp • refugee • Iraqi refugees • celebrity humanitarianism

(Newser) - The House of Representatives will not consider a resolution praising Michael Jackson’s humanitarianism, the Boston Globe reports. “A resolution, I think, would open up to contrary views to—that are not necessary at this time to be expressed in association with a resolution whose purpose is quite... More »

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Nancy Pelosi • entertainment • Congress • House of Representatives • death • Michael Jackson • celebrity humanitarianism • controversy • celebrity death • Sheila Jackson-Lee • resolution

OPINION

I'm a Celebrity, Now Get Me a Cause!

Activist celebs are annoying, but effective and necessary: Firth

Jul 6, 09 6:43 AM CDT
(Newser) - Actor Colin Firth doesn’t like it when his fellow actors get on the soapbox for humanitarian causes. He’s also tired of doing it himself, and sick of the endless tedium of fundraisers, speeches, and photo ops. But that’s too bad, because the only way anything is going... More »

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entertainment • television • film • political activism • celebrity humanitarianism • actor • Colin Firth

OPINION

Do-Gooder Celebs Can Aid —and Irritate

Emma Thompson on the conflicts of charitable stars

May 5, 09 7:39 AM CDT
(Newser) - These days every celebrity is a do-gooder, but for Emma Thompson, using star power to fight disease or injustice can be not only "stunningly effective" but "also profoundly off-putting." In a column for the Times of London, the actor and screenwriter describes the tension between charity and... More »

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celebrity • charity • altruism • celebrity humanitarianism • Emma Thompson • fame

Interview

'Western Aid, Celebs Are
Hurting Africa'

'Anti-Bono' author rips help for sapping continent's strength

Feb 22, 09 5:39 AM CST
(Newser) - Dependence on celebrities as spokesmen and Western aid are bad for Africa, argues Deborah Solomon's latest interview subject, Dambisa Moyo. The Ivy-educated former investment banker argues in her new book that the culture of aid for Africa discourages entrepreneurship. "You also disenfranchise African citizens, because the government is beholden... More »

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China • Africa • Bono • aid programs • microfinance • celebrity humanitarianism • Dambisa Moyo • Deborah Solomon

 Edwards' ER 
 Check Funds 
 African Hospital 

Anthony Edwards asks for charity donation for cost of guest appearance

Nov 4, 08 12:36 PM CST
(Newser) - In lieu of a paycheck for his return to ER as the deceased Dr. Mark Greene, with scenes shot in flashbacks, Anthony Edwards asked Warner Bros. to donate $125,000 to help build a 250-bed hospital in Africa, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Steven Spielberg matched that money, and ER's executive... More »

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television • Africa • celebrity humanitarianism • ER • Anthony Edwards

 Damon, Singer Jean 
 Help in Haiti 

Call on UN to raise $100M for storm recovery

Sep 15, 08 11:07 AM CDT
(Newser) - Matt Damon and singer Wyclef Jean waded through knee-deep flood waters during a tour of decimated Gonaives, Haiti, yesterday to call attention to the widespread suffering that has followed tropical storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike. "I'm speechless, I can't believe it," Damon told the AP. The actor and... More »

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United Nations • Haiti • Matt Damon • celebrity humanitarianism • Wyclef Jean • hurricane recovery • Hurricane Ike


 Hot Ticket: Jolie's
 Presidential
 Endorsement

Undecided and independent, actress-activist wants refugee agenda

Aug 11, 08 9:24 AM CDT
(Newser) - With her star power, humanitarian activism, and status as a UN ambassador, Angelina Jolie represents a celebrity endorsement both John McCain and Barack Obama are actively seeking, reports Wilshire & Washington, Variety's politics blog. "I am waiting to see the commitments they will make on issues like international justice,... More »

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Barack Obama • John McCain • Angelina Jolie • celebrity • Obama 2008 • celebrity humanitarianism • McCain 2008 • political endorsement • Election 2008

Best, Worst Celeb Do-Gooders

Jolie tops list of high-profile humanitarians

Dec 28, 07 10:45 AM CST
(Newser) - From Angelina Jolie (nominated as a UN Goodwill Ambassador) to Madonna (the Malawian adoption controversy), these stars topped a Reuters poll that asked: Who gave the best—and worst—name to “celebrity humanitarianism” in 2007? The best:
  1. Angelina Jolie
  2. Bono
  3. Desmond Tutu
  4. Bill Gates
  5. Bill Clinton
More »

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Angelina Jolie • Bill Gates • list • Oprah Winfrey • celebrity humanitarianism

10 Stories


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