Look To The Stars News: ENOUGH Project

Robin Wright Calls For International Mineral Certification System

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

In a video clip produced by ENOUGH Project, actor and activist Robin Wright says eastern Congo is the worst place on Earth to be a woman, and that “the link between conflict minerals and sexual violence is undeniable.”

Armed groups in the Congo fight for control of mines because the proceeds from the sale of the mineral resources is lucrative. To keep control of mines and trade routes, rebel groups use intimidation, pillaging local villages, murdering, raping girls and women and kidnapping young boys to use as soldiers – perpetual violence. Congo’s minerals are necessary components in electronic products that we use everyday, but Wright cannot reconcile the human rights violations with the ability to send a text message.

When Wright traveled to the Congo with ENOUGH Project for its RAISE Hope For Congo campaign last year, she was shocked by what she heard from the women and children she met.

Robin Wright Raises Awareness About Conflict Minerals

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:45:00 +0000

It might be common knowledge that the ongoing conflicts in eastern Congo has dramatic effects on human rights, but actress Robin Wright says even our smart phones and household electronics are contributing to violence against Congolese women, and no one seems to know it.

“The minerals that are in our gadgets that we use everyday, every single one of us, our iPhones, our toasters, our computers, have this mineral that comes from the Congo,” says Wright, “and every 48 minutes a woman is being raped in and around these mines. It’s being going on for about six years.”

The profits from the sale of ores that produce the tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold that are used in digital devices is key for armed groups. It purchases the weaponry they use to secure the mines and trade routes, and to intimidate and brutalize civilians to control local populations. Wright has joined ENOUGH Project’s RAISE Hope For Congo campaign to bring the cause some much needed attention, as well as solutions.

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's Satellite Sentinel Project Finds Mass Graves In Sudan

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:30:00 +0000

George Clooney’s Satellite Sentinel Project (SSP) has revealed visual evidence of mass graves in South Kordofan, which corroborates new eyewitness reports, obtained by SSP, of systematic killings and mass burials in this conflict-torn region of Sudan. The evidence found by SSP is consistent with allegations that the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and northern militias have engaged in a campaign of killing civilians.

Based on Harvard Humanitarian Initiative’s analysis of DigitalGlobe satellite imagery and eyewitness reports, SSP has identified a site in Kadugli consistent with three mass graves. SSP’s new evidence corroborates four, independent eyewitness accounts that SAF, northern militias and other forces aligned with the Government of Sudan (GoS) are present inKadugli and are alleged to be methodically searching houses for civilians. The four eyewitnesses claim that the SAF and GoS-aligned forces are systematically killing those suspected of supporting the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and others.

“This evidence demonstrates the urgent need for a full-scale international investigation into the violence in South Kordofan, and underlines the imperative to protect civilian populations from their own government in Khartoum,” said ENOUGH Project Co-founder John Prendergast, who co-founded SSP with George Clooney after they traveled together to South Sudan in October 2010. “With all the killing that has occurred in Darfur, Abyei and the Nuba Mountains, we surely can’t say we didn’t know this could happen. Diplomacy as usual backed by no tangible international pressures is a recipe for ongoing death and destruction. The time has arrived for the international community to create a heavy cost for the kinds of crimes depicted in this report, and root that cost within the framework of the international responsibility to protect doctrine.”

George Clooney's Satellite Sentinel Project Releases New Visual Evidence Of Sudan War Crimes

Mon, 30 May 2011 15:30:00 +0000

The Satellite Sentinel Project (SSP) has released new visual evidence that the Government of Sudan has committed grave violations of the Geneva Conventions and other war crimes, some of which may also constitute crimes against humanity.

The totality of evidence from satellites and ground sources points to state-sponsored ethnic cleansing of much of the contested Abyei region, says SSP. The evidence is being conveyed to the International Criminal Court and the UN Security Council.

Ryan Gosling Makes Charity Trip To Eastern Congo

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Actor and activist Ryan Gosling recently traveled with the ENOUGH Project to eastern Congo to witness first-hand the effects of war there.

From the scenes he captured, Ryan created a video for the ENOUGH Project’s “Raise Hope for Congo” campaign working to create a permanent solution to Congo’s war. He also wrote a op-ed with ENOUGH Project’s co-founder John Prendergast, which has been posted at the Huffington Post website.

“We recently traveled together to Congo, where the deadliest war in the world is occurring,” they write. "It’s a war which most people know nothing about, despite the fact that we’re all directly connected to it. Armed groups are fighting over the lucrative minerals that power our cell phones and laptops, leaving a trail of human destruction that has no equal globally since World War II.

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.

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.

George Clooney Urges US To Help Stop War In Sudan

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:00:00 +0000

George Clooney has penned an article for USA Today in an effort to urge the US to stop the war in the Sudan.

“The largest conventional war on the face of the earth in 2011 will occur in Sudan unless bold diplomacy led by the U.S. prevents it,” he wrote with John Prendergast, co-founder of the ENOUGH Project. "The most dangerous tripwire will be in seven months, when southern Sudanese will vote to determine whether the South splits off and forms a new country. Some ruling party officials don’t want to give up the oil-rich South without a fight. Southerners spilled a great deal of blood to win the right to opt out of Sudan, and they will keep fighting until they have their own state.

“The last North/South war that ended in 2005 cost more than 2 million lives, and the Darfur conflict in Sudan’s West has claimed over 300,000 more. Massive death tolls are the result of war tactics — principally by the government — that target civilians. Communities throughout Sudan have fought an authoritarian government to share in the country’s power and wealth.

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.

Ante Up For Africa To Hit Las Vegas Tomorrow

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:33:00 +0000

Ante Up For Africa will support Refugees International’s efforts for the displaced people of Darfur and all of Sudan as part of its charity celebrity poker tournament in Las Vegas on July 2, 2009.

The event is hosted by WSOP Bracelet Winner and Celebrity Apprentice Star Annie Duke and Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle, with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Brad Garrett planning to attend. Professional poker players and Refugees International supporters Howard Lederer, Andy Bloch, and Phil Hellmuth will also be participating.

“We are grateful to Ante Up For Africa for shining a spotlight on the ongoing crisis in Darfur and generating such significant support for the people who have been forced from their homes by this conflict,” said Ken Bacon, President of Refugees International. “An event like this makes it possible for Refugees International to continue to demand action from the world’s leaders to provide basic assistance and protection to refugees in Sudan and around the world.”

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.

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.

Nicole Richie Raises Awareness About Atrocities

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:30:00 +0000

Nicole Richie has posted a video on her website encouraging people to support two charities in their work raising awareness of atrocities in the Congo.

“I’m about to tell you a true story about a place where babies and grandmothers are being raped on a daily basis, and the reason they are being raped is directly connected to the purchases of our cell phones, of our laptops and of our iPods,” she says in the video.

Richie also interviews John Prendergast from the ENOUGH Project and Kinberly Pinkson from the EcoMom Alliance about the fact that mining of minerals we use in our lives every day is escalating violence in the country towards women and children.

Celebrity Apprentice 2 To Feature Annie Duke

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:30:00 +0000

NBC will aim to repeat the success that was Celebrity Apprentice when a new series of the show premieres in January 2009.

Although most of the contestants cannot be named or have yet to commit, professional poker player Annie Duke confirmed her involvement during the weekend.

According to a statement made on www.ultimatebet.com on Friday, ""Annie Duke wasn’t able to attend… the Aruba Poker Classic because, as you may have heard, she was selected to be on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice this season. She had to fly to L.A. for the premiere party and she’ll be competing for the Ante Up for Africa charity. Annie and Donald Trump in the same boardroom… that should make for some interesting TV."

The Chips Are Up For Africa

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:30:00 +0000

The Second Annual ‘Ante Up for Africa’ poker tournament was held on July 2nd in Las Vegas, and drew an impressive field of poker pro’s, celebrities and athletes – all of who helped make the event a success by raising over $400,000 for charity.

The event, co-hosted by humanitarian/actor Don Cheadle and poker pro Annie Duke, is already having a positive impact in Darfur – notably in reference to a UN Security Council vote authorizing a peacekeeping force in the area. “It wouldn’t have taken place [without us],” said Cheadle.

“It’s just great to see everybody,” Cheadle said as the event began.

Celebrities To Raise Stakes For Africa Again

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:30:00 +0000

The 2008 ‘Ante Up For Africa’ Poker Tournament at the World Series of Poker will be held on July 2 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The tournament is the brainchild of actor Don Cheadle and poker pro Annie Duke, who created the event to raise money and awareness for the crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan.

“After the success of last year’s tournament, we are looking forward to another exciting year while raising awareness for an ongoing crisis,” Duke said. “It is exciting to bring the world of poker and entertainment together, and we are once again asking players who win prize money to donate half of their winnings to our charities.”

Last year’s inaugural event raised more than $700,000, thanks in part to the stellar list of celebrities, athletes, and poker professionals who participated.

Stars Raise The Stakes For Darfur

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:44:33 +0000

Las Vegas is to host a star-studded poker tournament on July 5 to raise much needed aid for the current humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

The Ante Up For Africa event will be held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, and will see “Ocean’s 13” stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon compete in the high stakes world of Texas Hold ’Em against a host of other celebrities.

The event has been organised by actor Don Cheadle and professional poker player Annie Duke, and will coincide with the annual World Series of Poker. The pair hope the event will generate funds to help the “millions of people who must roll the dice every day in their struggle to survive (in Darfur).”