Look To The Stars News: Mia Farrow

Mia Farrow To Visit Chad And Congo This Weekend

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:30:00 +0000

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow will travel to Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a 10-day trip starting Sunday to support a global push to make polio a part of the past.

The visit comes at a pivotal time in the global fight against polio. In January, it was announced that India for the first time reported no new cases of the crippling disease for a full year. Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan are among the last four polio endemic countries, down from 125 in 1988.

Stars Take A Vow Of Silence For Charity

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Shaquille O’Neal, Martin Sheen, will.i.am, Joe Jonas, Nina Dobrev, Mia Farrow and many others are part of Free The Children’s social media efforts in support of its Vow of Silence campaign – an annual fundraising and awareness initiative encouraging youth to stand together in solidarity for 24 hours with millions of their peers who have been silenced by poverty, disease and exploitation.

The new video montage showcases each of the celebrities with their hand over their mouth as an act of solidarity and support for the millions of youth silenced for their basic rights.

Mia Farrow And Queen Noor Honored For Humanitarian Work

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:30:00 +0000

The Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists honored Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan and actress Mia Farrow with their Inspiration Awards for their work on humanitarian, human rights and peace issues at the United Nations in New York last week.

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow speaks at the Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists Inspiration Award luncheon at United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Photo: UNICEF/NYHQ2011-1749/Markisz

Celebrities To Wear Purple For Spirit Day

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:00:00 +0000

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) will join millions of lesbian gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and allies by participating in Spirit Day and wearing purple on October 20, 2011.

Wearing purple on this day symbolizes support for LGBT people and against bullying of LGBT teens.

GLAAD is working with organizations including the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the PACER Center, GLSEN, GSA Network, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), PFLAG and The Trevor Project as part of National Bullying Prevention Month to inspire Americans to wear purple on Spirit Day.

Serena Williams Named As UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:35:00 +0000

UNICEF today announced tennis champion Serena Williams’s appointment as international Goodwill Ambassador.

Williams is one of the all-time greats of professional tennis, having achieved a decade-long dominance of the game. While she is best known for her power and finesse in competition, her generous philanthropic endeavors off the court are just as dynamic.

UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake welcomed Williams to the UNICEF family today at the 2nd Annual Social Good Summit in New York City.

Celebrities Support Troy Davis Ahead Of Execution

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:05:00 +0000

On September 21, the state of Georgia is set to execute Troy Davis in the face of overwhelming evidence that he is innocent, and a number of celebrities are lending him their support through Amnesty USA.

Troy Davis was convicted of murdering a Georgia police officer in 1991. However, the case against him consisted entirely of witness testimony which contained inconsistencies even at the time of the trial. Since then, all but two of the state’s non-police witnesses from the trial have recanted or contradicted their testimony.

Many of these witnesses have stated in sworn affidavits that they were pressured or coerced by police into testifying or signing statements against Troy Davis.

Special Report From Mia Farrow: Dadaab - What Will Happen Now?

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:15:00 +0000

Acclaimed actress, humanitarian and UNICEF Ambassador Mia Farrow – along with child rights activist, humanitarian and Free The Children co-founder Craig Kielburger – have just returned from visiting the Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya, providing support and aid to the families affected by the East Africa drought. The two activists share some of their personal stories while visiting the refugee camp through the below joint article and photos.

Dadaab: What Will Happen Now?

Mia Farrow Visits East Africa For UNICEF

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:00:00 +0000

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow has been in the world’s largest refugee settlement in north-eastern Kenya to raise awareness of the famine in East Africa.

More than 435,000 people are living in camps originally designed to house up to 90,000 in Dadaab, as Somali refugees escaping the famine flood Kenya.

“Something huge is happening, and it’s terrible,” said Farrow. "So many of the kids haven’t made it, have died along the way. This is an acute emergency.

Mia Farrow And Angélique Kidjo Honored For Charity Work

Fri, 13 May 2011 12:30:00 +0000

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors Mia Farrow and Angélique Kidjo have been separately honored for their humanitarian work and commitment to the cause of children with three prestigious awards this week.

Mia Farrow, actress and activist, received the 2011 Marian Anderson award yesterday in recognition of her humanitarian efforts on behalf of children and women in countries affected by conflict and violence, including Chad, Darfur and Haiti.

Mia Farrow Returns From Charity Trip To Southern Sudan

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Mia Farrow and Martin Bell have wrapped up an eight day UNICEF visit to Southern Sudan, where they witnessed firsthand the devastating impact on the lives of women and children from attacks by the rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), in Western Equatoria and the fighting in Abyei.

Mia and Martin were in Southern Sudan just two months after a historic referendum, which called for the creation of a new nation in Southern Sudan. The referendum was part of a 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement to end the two decade long war between the North and the South, which has claimed over 2 million lives.

  "We have come here at what should be such a hopeful time for everyone in Southern Sudan," said Ms.Farrow. “But the lives of children along the border areas continue to be torn apart by violence – at times with unimaginable brutality. The women and children I spoke to were living in terror – afraid to go to their fields for food, afraid to go to school or even remain in their homes. They told me that what they want and need most is safety and protection.”

Celebrity Charity Initiative: Aid Still Required In Haiti

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000

What do Maroon 5, Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce and Spike Lee have in common? They’re three of dozens of celebrities who are concerned about the situation in Haiti and are doing something about it.

This month celebrities around the world are joining forces to launch the “Haiti: Aid Still Required” campaign to raise public awareness and fund the next wave of support for the Haitian people.

“It’s impossible to hear what’s happening in Haiti and not want to help,” says NBA star Blake Griffin. “For a full year they’ve lived through the worst nightmare.”

Mia Farrow Urges World To Support Vulnerable Children

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:00:00 +0000

In a special video message featuring her own powerful photographs, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow urges the world to stay vigilant in reaching the world’s most marginalized and vulnerable children before the 2015 deadline to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals.

The internationally acclaimed actress and humanitarian activist stresses the urgency of reaching neglected children around the world to ensure that their rights are met.

Mia Farrow's Tribute To Charity And John Lennon

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Mia Farrow is an acclaimed actress and humanitarian activist who, for the past 10 years, has served as a Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF. She has travelled extensively to places such as Darfur in Sudan, Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where she has met with the victims of conflict and worked to bring greater international attention to humanitarian crises.

Recently, she completed a personal project to match photographs taken during her travels to the John Lennon song, “Imagine.” The video can be seen here.

Stars Sign Letter Against Iranian Death Sentence

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Stars such as Sting, Colin Firth, Robert Redford and Robert De Niro are among the famous names who have signed a letter calling for the release of an Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for alleged adultery.

“Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has suffered enough,” reads the letter, published in the UK’s The Times newspaper. "Forced by international pressure to suspend her execution by stoning for alleged adultery, the Iranian government is now attempting to resurrect the charge that she murdered her husband – a charge for which she has already been tried.

“She has already spent five years in prison, and suffered 99 lashes, while the man who was convicted of her husband’s murder, and with whom she allegedly had an affair, is now free, having been pardoned by Ms Ashtiani’s children. We, the undersigned, call on the government of Iran to release immediately Ms Ashtiani, her son Sajad Ghaderzade, and her lawyer, Javid Houtan Kian, from incarceration.”

Mia Farrow Says Africa's Future Lies In Education

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:00:00 +0000

In an op-ed published on CNN earlier this month, actress and activist Mia Farrow said the key to Africa’s future is in the education of the children.

At a UNICEF-supported African Youth Forum in Kampala, Uganda, last month, Farrow was inspired by the attendees there. Chosen from 40 countries for their passion and leadership capabilities, the 100 young men and women were brought together to brainstorm solutions to the issues facing their countries and the African continent.

“At the close of the third day and the commencement of the African Union Summit,” wrote Farrow, “they presented their recommendations to Africa’s leaders. There is a growing chorus across Africa calling for change. And at the top of their demands is the right for every child to an education. These are the voices of Africa’s future.”

Mia Farrow Disparages Illegal Haiti Adoptions

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Actress and UNICEF Good Will Ambassador Mia Farrow was shocked at the attempted kidnapping of 33 Haitian children by ten American missionaries.

Farrow stated that the abduction attempt of these children was “deplorable” and insists offering parents a better life for their children elsewhere is “completely unacceptable and immoral”. The mother of 11 adopted children further commented that if groups and charities want to help the children of Haiti, they should offer support to the orphanages and family members inside the country.

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti hard on January 12th which left thousands of family devastated in its wake. Adoption practices in Haiti are now under scrutiny after news hit of the Americans trying to take the children out of their country. The ten Americans who belong to a Christian charity group were charged with kidnapping, conspiracy and child criminal association.

Orlando Bloom Becomes UNICEF Ambassador

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Actor Orlando Bloom has been appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in recognition of his commitment to the rights of children around the world.

“Advocacy from UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors helps build momentum to improve the lives of children around the world,” said UNICEF Executive Director, Ann M. Veneman. “We are proud to have Orlando Bloom as one of the strong voices for vulnerable children.”

Bloom has already seen the work UNICEF is doing in Nepal, Russia, and Sarajevo. And he is committed to supporting UNICEF’s efforts: “I look forward to working with UNICEF as they continue to make the world a better place for children.”

Mia Farrow Takes Message Of Hope To Cameroon

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

The internationally acclaimed actress and humanitarian activist Mia Farrow arrived in Cameroon on Sunday with a message of hope for some of the most disadvantaged children in the country.

A priority for the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador during her week long visit will be to travel to communities in the East, where there are over 60,000 Central African refugees, and the Langui Camp where there are more than 3,000 refugees who fled from Chad last year.

“UNICEF has asked me to add my voice to the call for urgent action in Cameroon to tackle the problem of child malnutrition which UNICEF sees as a silent emergency,” said Mia Farrow. “Most of the world probably knows little about this humanitarian crisis which threatens the lives of children under five years of age. When I get there I hope to be able to tell them they will be heard, and do my best to make sure that more will be done for them.”

Celebrities Raise Hope For Congo

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Selena Gomez, star of Disney Channels Wizards of Waverly Place, is busy with many other stars in the hope of raising awareness for the Congo. They are doing so through charity events and fundraising efforts for RAISE Hope For Congo.

RAISE Hope For Congo is hoping to raise awareness about the violence perpetuated against Congolese women, increase news coverage and protect and empower women in the Congo.

Selena Gomez is just one of the many stars becoming an activist for RAISE Hope. Robin Wright Penn is another activist for RAISE Hope. Her moving letter is printed on RAISE’s website and details why she involved herself in the campaign to end the violence against Congolese women and girls. Other stars who have become activists include Mia Farrow, Emile Hirsch, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Javier Bardem, Joel Madden and many more.

Mandy Moore Returns From Charity Trip To Africa

Wed, 13 May 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Singer and actress Mandy Moore has just returned from her first trip to Africa, where she handed out malaria nets for Population Services International.

“It was a humanitarian trip to southern Sudan and I’d never been to Africa before and I absolutely fell in love,” she told WENN. "I was like, ‘I want to see the entire continent.’

“Although the Sudan is not a vacation hot spot, I fell in love with the people and their spirit; I was blown away by everything and I’m ready to begin traveling in that sense. I’m going to start working with this organization, called PSI (Population Services International) and they’re like this organization that works in, like, 65 different countries around the world.

Richard Branson Takes Over Hunger Strike For Darfur

Mon, 11 May 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Actress and activist Mia Farrow has ended her hunger strike to raise awareness over atrocities in Darfur, but is passing the torch to Richard Branson, who has taken over her fast for three days.

A spokesman for the actress said her health had deteriorated after 12 days, and her doctor requested that she end her liquids-only fast. But she asked British billionaire Branson to take over the fast for three days over the weekend.

“We all need to stand up and demand that international aid is restored and that the people of Darfur are protected and given the chance to live in peace,” said Branson.

George Clooney Supports Mia Farrow's Hunger Strike For Darfur

Tue, 05 May 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Actress Mia Farrow began a 21-day hunger strike on 27 April to force the spotlight on the dire situation in Dafur.

Frustrated at the continued inattention to the plight of millions, she stated that she began her fast of water “in solidarity with the people of Darfur and as a personal expression of outrage at a world that is somehow able to stand by and watch innocent men, women and children needlessly die of starvation, thirst and disease.”

Actor George Clooney, who has also campaigned for a political solution to the Dafur situation, supports Farrow’s attempt to bring some serious attention to it. So far, Farrow is feeling hungry but good, and is still able to post daily reports on her website

Mia Farrow To Hunger Strike For Darfur

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Actress and human rights activist Mia Farrow has threatened to start a hunger strike today in a bid to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in war-torn Darfur and Sudan.

“I undertake this fast in the heartfelt hope that world leaders who know what is just and right will call upon the Government of Sudan to urgently readmit all of the expelled agencies,” she told People magazine. “I am going to get my blood tested after two weeks and if there is organ damage, I will have to stop.”

Farrow was moved to begin the hunger strike as part of Genocide Prevention Month, after the Sudanese government expelled international aid agencies from the country last month. The 64-year-old said the strike is “a personal expression of outrage at a world that is somehow able to stand by and watch innocent men, women and children needlessly die of starvation, thirst and disease.”

BBC Interviews LookToTheStars.org Founder

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:45:00 +0000

LookToTheStars.org founder Myrlia Purcell was invited by the BBC’s World Today show to take part in a radio interview on the subject of celebrity philanthropy.

Myrlia explains what the site is trying to accomplish, and responds to the suggestion that celebrities undertake charity work mainly for publicity.

The segment includes soundbites from George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Mia Farrow, and other celebrities mentioned include Paris Hilton, Forest Whitaker, John Hurt, Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson, Lucy Liu, and Run DMC frontman Darryl McDaniels and his Felix Organization.

Angelina Jolie Tops Celebrity Charity Poll

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Angelina Jolie has been voted top celebrity humanitarian for the second year running in a Reuters AlertNet poll.

The actress received almost a third of the votes in the poll for her charity work this year, which included a $100,000 grant to Global Action for Children, a $1 million donation to Human Rights Watch, another $1 million to to four organizations working with children who have lost parents and homes in Iraq, $2 million towards a new children’s hospital in Ethiopia, and a trip to Afghanistan to visit poverty-stricken refugees who have returned to their homes.

“She manages to raise the issues on the plight of refugees and IDPs in ways that are very human, simple but poignant,” said UNHCR spokeswoman Marie-Noelle Little-Boyer. “I’m not surprised she won. She has a way of reaching people that is something particular to her. I think she is so moved by the situation herself that it really comes from the heart.”