Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Reuters NewMedia - December 27, 2007
The poll by humanitarian Web site Reuters AlertNet (www.alertnet.org), which surveyed 606 people from December 7 to 19, also found fellow adoptive mother Madonna was the least respected celebrity altruist of 2007.
Here are some details of the winners -- and losers:
Q: Who gave the best name to "celebrity humanitarianism" in 2007?
1. Angelina Jolie
The actress has visited more than 20 humanitarian hot spots including Iraq and Darfur since becoming a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. refugee agency in 2001. On a trip to Iraq in August, she appealed for international aid to help millions of displaced Iraqis. Jolie has three adopted children -- from Ethiopia, Cambodia and Vietnam.
2. Bono
The U2 singer and "Red" campaigner has been a tireless voice in the fight against HIV/AIDS, extreme poverty and crippling debt.
3. Desmond Tutu
The apartheid opponent and Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been a constant advocate of conflict resolution and reconciliation. This year he won India's Gandhi Peace Prize and has been a vocal critic of the South African government's response to HIV/AIDS. He is leader of "The Elders", a humanitarian council made up of elder statesmen.
4. Bill Gates
The Microsoft founder and world's second-richest man has poured money into the fight against infectious diseases such as AIDS and malaria. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated $3.5 billion since 2003, according to BusinessWeek.
5. Bill Clinton
The former U.S. president's foundation tackles causes from HIV/AIDS to ethnic conflict. He holds an annual philanthropic summit that this year generated pledges to combat health, poverty, education and climate woes that he said could help 100 million people. His new book is titled "GIVING: How Each of Us Can Change the World".
6. Jimmy Carter
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former U.S. president is a crusader for conflict resolution and diplomacy. His Carter Center works to prevent wars and eradicate diseases. This year he toured Sudan's Darfur region with "The Elders" humanitarian council.
7. Kofi Annan
The former United Nations secretary-general is also a member of the "Elders" humanitarian council and founder of the Global Humanitarian Forum dedicated to strengthening the international community's ability to tackle the big crises of our time and mega-disasters like the Asian tsunami.
8. Mia Farrow
A committed Darfur activist, Farrow has led a global movement to press China to help end abuses by ally Sudan. This year she started an Olympic-style torch relay through countries that have suffered genocide and offered up her own freedom in exchange for a respected Darfur rebel figure.
9. Don Cheadle
The actor has embraced humanitarian causes since his Oscar-nominated role in 2004's "Hotel Rwanda", becoming a passionate spokesman against atrocities in Darfur. He co-wrote "Not on Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond".
10. Brad Pitt
Like his partner, Angelina Jolie, the Hollywood hunk is a respected Darfur advocate. He has also launched a housing project in New Orleans.
Q: Who gave celebrity humanitarianism the worst name?
1. Madonna
Despite controversy surrounding her adoption of a Malawian "orphan" last year, Madonna has been lauded by Malawi's government for putting the plight of AIDS orphans on the global stage and raising money to help them.
2. Paris Hilton
After spending 45 days in jail this year for violating probation on a traffic offense, Hilton announced she planned to swap partying for philanthropy with a trip to Rwanda. The trip was later postponed.
3. Oprah Winfrey
America's highest-paid TV celebrity has used her Oprah's Angel Network charity to support vulnerable people worldwide and AIDS-affected children in Africa. The former Bob Hope Humanitarian Award winner is ranked 35th in BusinessWeek's ranking of most generous philanthropists. But her girls' academy in South Africa made headlines this year when a former dormitory matron was charged with abusing students.
4. Bono
See above
5. Bob Geldof
The LiveAid legend and former Boomtown Rats singer has kept up the pressure on aid, trade and debt issues. His TV company is launching a broadband channel aimed at promoting world peace.
###
Reporting by Tim Large; Editing by Belinda Goldsmith and Eric Walsh
071227
RE071222
Copyright © 2007 - Reuters, Ltd. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Contact Reuters.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2007. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2007. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .