Movie stars, models and musicians can often command the media's attention when they promote charitable or environmental causes. Angelina Jolie, Bono, Leonardo Di Caprio are just some of the A-list celebrities lending their famous faces to humanitarian issues, third world debt and climate change.
For many years, singers and song-writers have come together to draw the world's attention to famine and poverty in Africa.
The famous 1985 song 'We Are The World' was a number one hit - but it also contributed to a debate about the role of celebrity-humanitarians and whether the money they raised reached those who needed it most.
Celebrities help humanize issue
eter Kessler of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says so-called celebrity diplomats help to humanize an issue, and to reach people when political campaigns often fail to do so.
"As we saw with Princess Diana when she first held the hand of an AIDS victim, it's spreading that message that these people are safe," Kessler said. "They're not a threat. They're threatened. And you can also reach out to them in your own way. You don't have to be a VIP celebrity."
- Mia Farrow raises awareness about Sudan
By Rachel Smalley of By VOA News
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