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London, United Kingdom
French native, Anglophile from a very young age, and now fully bilingual and bicultural, I have graduated from the University of Nottingham with a BA in International Communications followed by an MA in International Relations. Through my studies I have developed a deep interest for the relationships between generosity, philanthropy, celebrity culture, and consumerism. I hope you enjoy reading my personal comments and observations on my Blog! Don't hesitate to post comments!

Philanthrotainment: charities, celebrities and the mass media spectacle

Today, benevolence is often associated with the cult of celebrity. Stars are ubiquitously working for a 'good cause'. In fact, celebrity endorsement has become a sine qua non part of today's 'marketised generosity'. Celebrities have become essential players on deeply political issues. The Time baptised the year 2005 as the year of 'charitainment'. Why do charitable organisations feel the need to use celebrity advocacy? Can star power really bring social change? Does celebrity involvement in trying to resolve global issues or bring awareness to them represent a threat to democracy?

http://www.looktothestars.org/

 Since early 2001, the famous actress has worked as good will ambassador for UNHCR to help refugees. She has travelled on field missions in Cambodia, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Chad. Angelina has been calling attention to the plight of the displaced at the political level in various gatherings, including the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. She regularly visits Washington DC, raising humanitarian issues during meetings with the United States' top politicians. In 2007, she became a member of the influential Council on Foreign Relations. In 2006, Jolie announced the founding of the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, which has made significant donations worldwide. In 2003, she was the first recipient of the Citizen of the World Award by the United Nations Correspondents Association, and in 2005 she was awarded the Global Humanitarian Award by the United Nations Association of the USA and the Business Council for the United Nations for her work with refugees.

 Clooney famously founded Not On Our Watch with Ocean’s 11 co-stars Don Cheadle, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt. The organization’s main goal is to stop the genocide occurring in Sudan. Clooney has visited the area personally, and spoken with victims of rape and torture. His charity has donated millions of dollars to help those suffering in the region, with much of the funding going through the United Nations World Food Programme. Clooney has been known to give generous donations to homeless people, is a supporter of Bono’s poverty-fighting ONE Campaing and is also on the Board of Trustees for the United Way.


 Scarlett Johansson visited Rwanda in September, 2008, to increase awareness of AIDS sufferers in African nations. She spent four days attending AIDS clinics alongside charity workers for (RED): “It was important for me to come here and see the issues we’re up against first hand. I came here with an open mind, wanting to listen, understand and learn; I leave with the overwhelming understanding that the small action of making a (RED) choice in your purchases… has an enormous impact on the lives of people in countries like Rwanda.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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