Look To The Stars News: Not On Our Watch

George Clooney Joins Celebrity Speakers At Leadership Forum

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:30:00 +0000

George Clooney, Martha Stewart and Russell Simmons will be in Sydney, Australia, in December as part of the 2011 Global Leadership Forum.

The one-day seminar will give businesses and employees the opportunity to discuss future trends, brand management, business strategy and growth, technology and how to inspire people.

Clooney will talk on the power of collaboration. For the past five years, George Clooney has been working behind the scenes in the effort to help Southern Sudan. Newsweek recently labelled him a “Twenty-first century statesman”. Using the business acumen he’s acquired in Hollywood, together with his celebrity, George co- founded the Satellite Sentinel Project (SSP) which is an unprecedented collaboration between Not On Our Watch, the ENOUGH Project, Google, the United Nations UNITAR Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT), DigitalGlobe, the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, and Trellon, LLC. And through this powerful collaboration he has been able to achieve exponential results.

George Clooney In Southern Sudan For Historic Referendum

Sun, 09 Jan 2011 20:45:00 +0000

George Clooney was in Southern Sudan on Saturday to help raise awareness of the region’s historic independence referendum, which began on January 9.

The star – who is a UN Messenger of Peace and is well known for his work in Darfur and the Sudan – has met with President Barack Obama twice about conflict in the region, and recently launched the Satellite Sentinel Project, which uses satellite imagery analysis and crowd-sourced mapping to monitor the tense border between North and South Sudan.

“Our job is trying to keep this on the front burner of the news,” Clooney told The Associated Press. "I’m the son of newsman. I understand how hard it is to keep stories on the front of news, and sometimes entertainment and news can be meshed together if you do it properly.

Matt Damon To Be Honored For Charity At Critics' Choice Awards

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:30:00 +0000

The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) announced today that renowned actor and philanthropist Matt Damon will be presented with the fourth annual Joel Siegel Award at the 16th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards. The ceremony will air live on VH1 on Friday, January 14 at 9:00 PM ET/PT.

Given annually, this special award pays homage to beloved “Good Morning America” film critic and BFCA member Joel Siegel, who lost his long struggle with cancer in June, 2007.

George Clooney's Message To Stop The War

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Earlier today, LookToTheStars.org brought you a story about George Clooney’s new initiative to bring peace to Sudan through www.satsentinel.org. He has released this personal message – with John Prendergast – on what he hopes to achieve.

“A new state is being born in Southern Sudan against a backdrop of decades of war between the South and North of Sudan. A peace deal in 2005 ended the latest round of open conflict, but the possibility of a return to war remains high as Southern Sudan prepares for independence.

“One of the biggest risks in this dangerous moment is that an incident on the highly armed border could lead to wider conflict. The government in Khartoum has armed militias in contested bordering regions, the government air force has bombed border areas, and both sides have massed military units and equipment along the hottest border spots.

George Clooney Teams With Google To Stop War In Sudan

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:00:00 +0000

A new human rights project — initiated by George Clooney — will combine satellite imagery analysis and field reports with Google’s Map Maker technology to deter the resumption of war between North and South Sudan.

Launched this week, the Satellite Sentinel Project will use satellite imagery analysis and crowd-sourced mapping to monitor the tense border between North and South Sudan.

Oil-rich southern Sudan will vote next month in a referendum on independence from the rest of Sudan. Analysts say that this could plunge the country back into civil war and may spark the world’s next genocide.

George Clooney’s Endgame In Sudan Video Is Released

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

Not On Our Watch and the ENOUGH Project’s new Endgame in Sudan short video was released last week, in which George Clooney appears on the ground in southern Sudan, where he visited earlier this year.

The film is the latest effort of the “Stop a War Before It Starts” campaign, which is gaining momentum and getting some high-level attention, including from US President Obama. Viewers are asked to go to www.SudanActionNow.org to join a rally, fundraiser and/or sign a petition to ask world leaders to negotiate a peace between northern and southern Sudan before a referendum on independence is held there in January. Without international diplomacy to help lay the groundwork, Clooney believes that a renewed war and humanitarian disaster is probable, since 2.5 million people were killed in the last north-south war.

“Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir is an indicted war criminal,” says the video.

George Clooney To Be Honored With Bob Hope Charity Award

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:00:00 +0000

George Clooney will receive a special humanitarian award at this year’s Emmys.

The actor will follow in the footsteps of Oprah and Bill Cosby when he is presented with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the Emmys in August for his work raising awareness of genocide in Darfur with Not On Our Watch and the UN, as well as raising money for victims of Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Haiti.

The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award was established in 2002.

Sheryl Crow And Norah Jones Raise Hope For Congo

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, Damien Rice, Angélique Kidjo and Mos Def feature on a new 18-track compilation album that aims to raise hope, educate and empower individuals to be a part of the solution to the Congolese conflict.

In the Congo, rape has been used as a weapon of war to perpetrate the deadliest conflict since World War II. For many, the situation in Congo is too bleak, or too distant, to approach. The ENOUGH Project and Mercer Street Records (a signature label of Downtown Music) are seeking to change that attitude with the compilation album “Raise Hope for Congo.”

The idea for the compilation CD was conceived by Shahin Shahida — Unison Agency consultant and the executive producer of the album — after reading Not on Our Watch, a book by John Prendergast, co-founder of the ENOUGH Project, and Don Cheadle, co-founder of the Not On Our Watch organization. Shahida saw the critical need for a compilation to help open the world’s eyes to the crisis.

Don Cheadle To Be Named United Nations Ambassador In Rwanda

Mon, 10 May 2010 11:30:00 +0000

Don Cheadle is set to become a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment next month.

“I will be named officially in Rwanda on June 5th, a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Programme,” he said. “I’ll be in Rwanda on June 5th.”

The UNEP provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

George Clooney And Celebrity Friends Make Charity Donation To UNICEF

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Not On Our Watch, the international advocacy and grant making organization founded by actors George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, producer Jerry Weintraub, and human rights lawyer David Pressman, has awarded the U.S. Fund for UNICEF a grant of $250,000 to support an innovative program to reduce maternal mortality in Southern Sudan.

The grant will provide motorcycle ambulances and improved maternal health care in five states of the Southern Sudan region, including Western Equatoria, Lakes, Jonglei, Western Bahr El Ghazal, and Central Equatoria.

“As the situation in Sudan grows increasingly unstable, it is imperative that the international community take action to help those most vulnerable,” said Not On Our Watch co-founder Matt Damon. “The maternal mortality rate in South Sudan is one of the highest in the world. We are proud to help UNICEF as they work to save lives, especially during this critical period.”

Celebrities’ Quick Response To Haiti Disaster

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Here’s what some celebrities are up to, in response to the earthquake disaster that has destroyed Port-au-Prince and devastated Haiti:

Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt: “The people of Haiti are in desperate need of help. Our organization, Not On Our Watch, will do whatever it can and we know the international community will as well.” Not On Our Watch has donated $1 million in emergency response funds to provide medical services to victims of the disaster.

Wyclef Jean: “Yéle Haiti Foundation has pulled together a group of like minded organizations and first responders in order to help coordinate the delivery of emergency services and materials needed by victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Each of the organizations will undertake their own fundraising and on-the-ground operations, but have agreed to share resources, collaborate when it makes sense and avoid duplication.” Four airlifts of medical and emergency supplies and food have already gone out. ONEXONE, one of the like minded organizations, has also already shipped medical supplies, water and blankets for on-the-ground support.

George Clooney Presents Jerry Weintraub Humanitarian Award

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:30:00 +0000

On December 10, the UNICEF Ball brought together Hollywood’s biggest stars for a fundraising gala to honor those individuals who have made key contributions to UNICEF’s mission to save and improve children’s lives worldwide. The evening raised more money for the organization than any UNICEF Ball to date.

Producer and long-time philanthropist Jerry Weintraub was honored as Man of the Year with UNICEF’s Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award. The special black-tie evening took place at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, in Beverly Hills, CA.

Matt Damon Writes On The Importance Of Giving Back

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Matt Damon has put pen to paper and written an article for Parade Magazine on the importance of giving back.

“Here’s something that matters to me right now,” wrote Damon, who is a founder of Not On Our Watch, H2O Africa and Water.org. "Every 15 seconds, a child dies because of a lack of clean water and sanitation. I should probably repeat that: Every 15 seconds, a child dies because of a lack of clean water and sanitation. A billion people on our planet will never have a clean drink of water. There are 2.5 billion people in the world without toilet facilities. That kind of deprivation isn’t even on our radar in the U.S., but in Africa it’s the central preoccupation of many people’s lives. And the most devastating thing about it is that it takes so little to change it. Just $25 will give someone clean water for life—yes, just $25 will change someone’s future forever.

“I’ve taken a lot of trips in the last few years to places like Africa and India and Haiti to try to learn what conditions are like. You can read about extreme poverty and possible solutions, but it’s really powerful when you get to meet the people and shake their hands and listen to their stories. I try to keep my trips short because my kids are so young that my wife, Lucy, can’t come. We don’t like to be separated, but we both feel it’s so important to learn about these things. There’s so much I don’t know. In the future, I know these trips are something we’ll do as a family.

George Clooney Puts Star Power To Work

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:30:00 +0000

George Clooney is using his box office appeal to garner a financial boost for the people of L’Aquila, Italy.

In April 2009 the Italian city was devastated by an earthquake that left more than 300 people dead. Clooney hopes to film a movie in the town, and thinks that the movie will revamp the city’s economy and aid those left destitute by the natural disaster.

Affleck, Damon and More To Ante Up For Africa

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Brad Garrett, Mekhi Phifer, and top poker professional Phil Hellmuth have joined the growing list of celebrities who plan to play in the Ante Up For Africa charity tournament July 2 at the 40th annual World Series of Poker.

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are expected to go all in for the 3rd Ante Up For Africa (AUFA) Celebrity-Charity poker tournament.

George Clooney Leads UNICEF Donation

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Not On Our Watch, the international advocacy and aid organization founded by actors George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, producer Jerry Weintraub and human rights lawyer David Pressman, has awarded the U.S. Fund for UNICEF a grant of $438,000 to assist at-risk Zimbabwean refugee children living on the South Africa-Zimbabwe border.

The grant will provide critical support for child protection and welfare services for 1,500 unaccompanied and vulnerable children in the border town of Musina, South Africa.

“I’ve seen first-hand how dire the situation is for Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa. Women are being raped, orphaned children have no protection, and thousands of people are without even the most basic supplies. Every-day survival has become a harrowing task,” said Not On Our Watch board member Matt Damon. “As the situation in Zimbabwe remains unresolved, the international community must stop sitting on the sidelines and instead take action to help those who need it most. Not On Our Watch is proud to support UNICEF’s work in this critical time.”

Stars To Hit The Tables For Ante Up For Africa

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:30:00 +0000

PokerStars is proud to be hosting the first Ante Up For Africa (AUFA) Europe charity poker tournament, being held as part of the EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final tonight, April 27.

The event has attracted a star-studded field of celebrities and pro players, all helping to raise money and awareness for the crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

Confirmed celebrities include: Nelly, Boris Becker, Jason Lewis, Benji and Joel Madden, ‘Heroes’ star James Kyson Lee, boxer Vladimir Klitschko, Christina Milian, The Dream, Daniel Negreanu and Joe Hachem.

Matt Damon And Ben Affleck Head Back To The Charity Poker Table

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are heading back to the poker table to raise money for charity.

The Cannes Charity Poker event, which is being sponsored by 888.com, will coincide with the Cannes Film Festival and is being held to raise money for Ben Affleck’s and Matt Damon’s charities – Not On Our Watch in aid of the children in the Darfur region, and One Voice For Freedom, the children’s anti-slavery charity whose patrons include Michael Caine, the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.

The Cannes Charity Poker event is a privately run affair and the final 60 places will have been vetted by the organizers in an attempt to attract only the very top ‘A’ list celebrities.

George Clooney Blogs About Darfur

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:30:00 +0000

George Clooney has long been a vocal advocate for the victims of genocide in Darfur.

After a recent trip to the Chad-Darfur border and meetings with both President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden regarding the new administration’s policy for the region, the actor gave his insights and opinions about what has and has not changed in the region since his last visit and what he thinks of the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue a warrant for Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir last week.

In a blog the actor wrote for the The Daily Beast, Clooney remarked that the “most disturbing [thing] about the place was how little it had changed” in the three years since he had last been there. Despite the efforts of aid organizations dispatched to assist the needy, the norm that Clooney observed included “800 calories a day, sickness, threats of rebel violence, or just crime.” Where three years ago, the general atmosphere had an aura of hope that help was on its way, “there’s too little” of that now, evidenced only by a few moments, such as when village children followed Clooney around, chanting “Obama,” putting an entirely different twist on the President’s campaign themes of hope and change.

Matt Damon Visits Zimbabwean Refugee Camp, Urges Answer to Humanitarian Crisis

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Matt Damon visited a Zimbabwean refugee camp in the South African border town of Musina on Tuesday.

The actor and board member of the human rights organization Not On Our Watch invited members of the Associated Press to join him on his trip as a part of a high profile effort to raise awareness about the region’s ongoing humanitarian crises.

Nearly three million people have fled Zimbabwe as a result of the seemingly endless series of catastrophes that have occurred in the country. Political upheaval, state-sponsored violence, and a chronic AIDS epidemic have long plagued Zimbabwe; now an outbreak of cholera and crippling inflation due to the economic crisis have made life nearly impossible for millions of its citizens. 

Clooney and Obama Meet For Darfur

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Actor George Clooney’s much anticipated meeting with American President Barack Obama took place this week, with great success.

Though Clooney has been campaigning about the genocide occurring in Darfur for years and founded the Not On Our Watch campaign to raise awareness, he has said that the situation is not getting better; in fact it’s getting worse.

Undeterred, Clooney said: “Of course it’s complex, but when you see entire villages raped and killed, wells poisoned and then filled with the bodies of its villagers, then all complexities disappear and it comes down simply to right and wrong.”

Not On Our Watch Donates To Oxfam

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Not On Our Watch has announced a $500,000 grant to international aid agency Oxfam America to support their humanitarian response in eastern Chad, for victims of the violence in the Chad-Darfur region.

Founded by actors Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, producer Jerry Weintraub, and human rights lawyer David Pressman, Not On Our Watch works to focus global attention and resources towards putting an end to mass atrocities around the world. This timely gift supports Oxfam’s lifesaving work on health, hunger and poverty initiatives as the dry season approaches.

“As the conflict in Chad and Darfur continues, victims of violence remain desperately in need of basic support systems. Now more than ever it is critical that the international community work towards putting an end to this crisis,” said Not On Our Watch co-founder Matt Damon.

George Clooney Hosts Charity Dinner For Darfur

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Actor George Clooney raised $14.57 million for charity when he hosted a fundraising party in London last Thursday, December 4.

The dinner party was held at the home of banker Roger Jenkins, a senior executive at Barclays, with guests – such as Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Cindy Crawford, Sarah Ferguson, Bono, David Walliams, Michael Caine, Claudia Schiffer, Christian Slater, and Guy Ritchie – paying up to $20,000 for a ticket. Kid Rock provided the entertainment, while television chefs Antony Worrall Thompson and Ainsley Harriott provided the food.

Proceeds from the evening went to Clooney’s Not On Our Watch, a charity he founded with actor Don Cheadle in 2007 to focus global attention and resources towards putting an end to mass atrocities in Darfur.

UN Praise For Pitt And Clooney

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:30:00 +0000

In the first week of the Venice Film Festival, Brad Pitt and George Clooney have once again been combining film and philanthropy.

The famous duo continued their recent tradition by holding a fundraising gala last Tuesday in support of their Not On Our Watch charity.

In its first year, the charity has raised more than $7 million to help victims of humanitarian crises and disasters, according to executive director Alex Wagner. This single event on Venice’s Giudecca Island was expected to raise as much as $2 million.

Brad Pitt And George Clooney Hold Fundraising Dinner

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:30:00 +0000

Hollywood hunks Brad Pitt and George Clooney will kick off this year’s Venice film festival on Wednesday, August 27, with the world premiere of their latest film and a fundraising dinner for charity.

The dinner will benefit Not On Our Watch, the organization the pair founded to raise awareness of the crisis in Darfur and emphasize global humanitarian issues. It is expected to attract a number of high profile guests, and will take place on August 26, the day before the festival opens. Clooney and Pitt will also appear at the premiere of their new crime comedy Burn After Reading, directed by 2008 Oscar-winning duo Joel and Ethan Coen and co-starring John Malkovitch and Tilda Swinton.

Brad Pitt is also happy to announce that a New Orleans company has been contracted to provide the solar panels for the first wave of new homes being constructed in his Make It Right campaign in the Hurricane Katrina-devastated Lower 9th Ward of the city.