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George Clooney and his role in the Sudan
A satellite surveillance project spearheaded by actor George Clooney's organization will monitor violence in Sudan during a January vote that could split the country in two.
The program will use satellite images to assess the situation on the ground for any signs of conflict, monitor hotspots in real-time and post the findings online, organizers said. The satellites can help capture threats to civilians, keep track of displaced people and inspect razed villages, the organizers said in a statement.
The Sudan is an issue that Clooney is particularly passionate about.
Clooney has been campaigning since 2006 for a peaceful resolution of the conflict that has led to the deaths of about 300,000 people, according to the United Nations.
In 2007, Clooney spoke at a "Save Darfur" event in Washington D.C. to raise awareness of the issue and he has even used his name recognition to push world leaders to take action.
While many Americans may not have known what was happening in the region, Clooney helped bring the conflict into living rooms around the country. Clooney produced a TV documentary called "A Journey to Darfur" which advocated for action.
In December 2007, along with fellow actor Don Cheadle, Clooney was presented with the Summit Peace Award by the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates for his work around the Darfur crisis.
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It completely sucks that Americans do not feel the need to press their congressional representatives to take action on pressing human rights abuses in other parts of the world unless there is a celebrity face attached to an issue. As a human rights advocate, I am troubled by the idea that celebrities as opposed to governments are the new targets of human rights advocacy– I can;t imagine convincing Taylor Swift that she should engage in efforts to appease rising tensions in the Ivory Coast so that we can gain the support of her fan base. But I'm glad that Clooney has played a role in garnering attention for the millions of Darfurians who have suffered in silence and I am for improving human rights by any means necessary. I guess I wish more celebrities could look beyond Hollywood and actually use their power to effect change in the lives of others. I wish Clooney would start a permanent human rights coalition designed to increase human rights awareness among celebrities.
Yes, you might say, "Rosemary Clooney's" nephew, George, is doing a fine job. Maybe BHO ought to appoint him as special envoy to the strife torn area so he could do more, but on the other hand, he may not be free to speak his true thoughts since he would represent this administration and come under the supervision of Hillary, Sec. of State.
George, I guess people have more faith in your ability than some of the entrusted officials in DC.
Clooney undeniably developed a modus operandi that could and should be adopted by other international celebrities: he surrounded himself with very smart and awared people regarding a specific subject and he uses his celebrity power and influence to force these discussions into the big media, usually so concerned with pointless meaningless subjects.
Congratulations to Mr. Clooney.
Natural Selection.
More people than the land can support.
The population has to adjust accordingly.
Watching the population being culled is heart-wrenching.
It happens in the wild, in Haiti, in Darfur.
It happens by natural disaster, or by act of humans.
It happens whether it is deer or Darfur-ians.
But it is a necessary part of life on this planet.
If your heart is going to bleed, don't bleed my wallet.
Don't force me to pay (tax) to attempt to futiley overcome a natural phenonenon.
Don't try to dupe me or others into donating for a futile cause.
This Law of Nature at work is as certain as the Law of Gravity, and no amount of crying, hand-wringing, or money is going to change it.
Despite all that you and the other people (bless you all) are doing, it's not changing as fast as it should.
George, what can I, as a non-American, do to help this country and continent apart from making donations? It is in a desperate state of affairs.
Great effort Mr Clooney. but i am from africa and this will not help one bit. The people will resist civilization forever. Brute Power and Money is all that counts here. no discussion, no movies, no sweet talk, no revenge strategies.
Just kill or be killed.
Considering how much money Clooney has, if he really cared that much he could either a) Pay off the baddies to stop the atrocities or b) Buy a private "security" force to get rid of them.
Hello George,
What is your look on what is going on in Cote D'Ivoire?
Would you get involve.
Thank you
Josephine
I guess someone had to be the voice of dissent ....
I can appreciate the sentiment, but I am tired of watching tax dollars which could be of tremendous use to feed the poor in this country carted off to another country which cannot manage its business.
I am tired of seeing these countries take our money, redistribute it among the select few, then organize ANTI-AMERICAN protests and CYBER-related crimes against those who offer them relief.
NO GEORGE NO!
The major concern is the reaction of the Muslims when the Christians South votes for Independence. As with Indonesia regards Timor we had the same promises of respecting the result but ended with Indonesian Special Forces supported militias generously distributing fire tyre neck ties and destroying the infrastructure and enabling insurgency.
It is guaranteed given the nature of Islamic promises to non-adherents if there is a lull in violence it will be short.
Does it not seem strange to anyone that this actor with his great appeal has been thrust into the limelight for a very dangerous and powerful group of men, the Council of Foreign Relations. Think Soros.
Its about money and war, not peace.
Glad to see you are doing something with the power of your celebrity. What's your opinion of the UN? I believe that although they do good work, perhaps with UNICEF and such branches, when the top weapons selling countries in the world(and the US is number one) all have permanent seats on the Security Council, and it's common knowledge that munitions are sold through third parties to both sides in conflicts like the Congo civil war, I wouldn't expect much from the UN in terms of the Sudan or any other armed conflict in the world.
Hello George Timothy Clooney and CNN friends,
I would like an answer from George Timothy Clooney on the following questions:
– How will you Improve Liberty and Order in Darfur?
– How has Hope for Haiti Now Improve the lives of the 2010 Haiti earthquake victims?
– Why do you want to play Matt King in your upcoming movie called The Descendants?
I am awaiting George Timothy Clooney’s replies.
Greetings,
Jurgen R. Brul
Hometown: Paramaribo
Country: Suriname
i admire your effort mr.clooney ...i was watching your comments on CNN and fortunately my satellite receiver was running one of your movies on the next channel ..the movie was ,,the Peacemaker...its ironic...lol
hi George,
I think it's great what you and other like-minded people are doing for the less fortunate in Darfur.
I'm curious to know if you support Greenpeace,and do you take an interest in the abhorrent actions of the Japanese whale-poachers in the Whale Sanctuary in the Great Southern Ocean?
Have you ever been to New Zealand?I know you have a huge fan base of supporters down here.
Best Wishes for your work with the people of Darfur, and also with your film career in 2011.
John.
George,when u need more money i do have the right script for your next movie. All South African history about the "Lost Kruger Gold billions".. The script name will be "The Golden Omuramba" (Omuramba means in African language "Dry river bed")