Celebrities attract global attention to humanitarian issues

Delhi Newsline

Clair Macdougall
February 8, 2008

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The word 'celebrity' might conjure up visions of beauty, glamour, fame, fortune and all that is shiny and new.

Added to this are images of celebrity diplomats and activists, including Bono, Angelina Jolie and Bill Gates, meeting with world leaders to discuss humanitarian issues of global significance.

Many may be sceptical about the "sincerity, substance and efficacy of such celebrity interventions" in the world of global affairs but Dr Andrew F Cooper, associate director and distinguished fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Canada, questions this scepticism and challenges what he views as "oversimplified critiques of celebrity activism …

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