Angelina Jolie
Always going to places to raise awareness. You can see her in places where a lot of other celebrities wouldn't even think about wandering into.
She appears to have done her homework in order to understand the issues, and is not just a figurehead. Some of her visits have been completely press-less, which reveals something about her motivations.
It's not just a whim or a publicity stunt for her. She seems genuinely committed to raising awareness of human suffering and puts her money where her mouth is by traveling often to some of the most devastated places on the planet. Although I'm not a fan of the multiple international adoptions.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
Because she is genuine, intelligent, knows her subject matters (e.g. anti-personnel mine ban, refugees, children, etc.), is humble (yes), lives what she preaches (international humanitarianism, like demining her son's village in Cambodia...) etc. She is gorgeous, articulate and gets the message across - which is the most important thing. Brad can be added for his work to rebuild New Orleans post-Katrina. Don't think any (living) celebrity could match the two of them for reaching the greatest population. H.M. Queen Noor might come close.
Mia Farrow
Because she consistently works for the good of the people she aims to help, rather than using it as a PR opportunity for herself. She has extended her reach to DR Congo this year, too. She is a real activist rather than a celebrity jumping on the charity bandwagon.
Because she cares more about the "humanitarianism" than she does the "celebrity".
For her relentless work to ensure we don't turn a blind eye on Darfur.
Bono
Because he continues to try to address the structural problems like debt, unfair trade and the impact of AIDs, rather than just focusing on the charity.
He is not smug, a general characteristic of other celebrities that is distracting, not to mention annoying.
He takes initiative and is becoming more and more knowledgeable - unlike other stars, he is becoming credible as a humanitarian advocate and not just as a celebrity.
George Clooney
He and his father have done so much to draw attention to the genocide in Darfur... I can't think of anyone who deserves recognition more than they.
Serious, consistent and persistent
Ben Affleck
Because he is very knowledgeable about the situation in Congo instead of just being a figurehead for the cause.
His new mini documentary doesn't victimize refugees like so many other celebs, and aid workers for that matter, tend to do.
Oprah Winfrey
She has the ability with her show to bring light to humanitarian issues.
Taught others to make a difference
Don Cheadle
Gives tangible advice on what people can do with his campaign telling people to write letters to their congressional representative - not just bleating about the sad things he saw on his last trip, and trying to look beautiful. Also has a better sense of the limitations of his role.
Long term commitment to Darfur, not as self-seeking as other showbiz figures
Leonardo DiCaprio - For consistent and well informed support of climate change and environmental concerns
Ewan McGregor - For what he did whilst travelling across Africa on his motorbike, and how it changed his perspective on life as a genuine human being not just as an actor
Bob Geldof - For his continued, ill-tempered and irreverent engagement with politicians worldwide who might otherwise look the other way!
Natalie Portman - Her work with microfinance is simple and seems realistic.
Julianne Moore - Her message is unique in that she is caring about poverty in the United States, not elsewhere. She believes in fixing it here to help over there.
Tina Fey - Her terrific work in supporting the Action Center to End World Hunger in Manhattan, a Mercy Corps program. She was tireless in her efforts!
Duchess of York - For highlighting the plight of neglected and abused children in Turkish and Romanian orphanages.
Princess Anne - She knows what she is talking about, doesn't just work in front of the cameras and has been a strong advocate for sustained development for many many years.
Jet Li - After being caught up in the tsunami it changed his life and he is out to really help others, and encourage normal people to give to charity as well.
Ryan Dalton aka Brown - He is a youngster from America who has made it in South Africa as a Hip Hop artists and is a hero to our younsters living on the streets. He recently spent 16 days living on the streets of Cape Town to bring awareness to a Global Crisis that see's 150 million children labelled "street" child.
Mary Robinson - Tireless efforts on human rights, climate change and the promotion of a better world for all people. She is not afraid to talk to the perpetrators and will add her voice to that of others if the cause is just.
Nicole Kidman - For her work for UNIFEM: stop violence against women.
AND SOME OF THOSE WHO GOT THE THUMBS DOWN....Madonna
Because she broke international adoption laws to adopt an African child. She could have done a lot more to argue for care for the 15 million orphans in Africa by highlighting the work already being done by extended families and advocate more support for them.
Her adoption project sent completely the wrong message about development, and everything that she does is about herself rather than the cause.
Her adoption of the Malawian boy was clearly another celebrity accoutrement rather than a intelligent and considered response to care for someone in desperate need.
Angelina Jolie
She sends mixed messages. Her "humanitarian" life and her real life don't mix.
I have been working in Africa for an INGO since 2004. She makes a mockery of the beneficiaries and the humanitarian workers. Esp with that ridiculous movie of hers. Was it called Beyond Borders or such? It is a true reflection on our society that they need these muppets to make them aware of what is happening in the world.
Oprah Winfrey - Poor attempt to bring to light the need of the vulnerable by building the elitism school
Bono - He is strident and arrogant and a bit of a bully.
George Clooney - Because he changes his "charity subject" according to the "hotspots". When Myanmar was hot, he just left Darfur.
Arche de Zoe (Zoe's Ark) - Aid workers from the French humanitarian group were arrested in Chad as they tried to fly 103 children to Europe for fostering. The agency said it was rescuing orphans from Sudan's Darfur region, but most of the children were found to be from Chad.
All the young LA stars - They have a platform to make huge changes in society by being great role models to the future generations who idolise them. They have abused this privilege.
Numerous American actors - Because they do not understand the complexities of what they are commenting on - especially Darfur. It is good to see them raise the profile of the region but they need to ensure they also give the right messages.
Anybody who went to a developing country for Comic Relief etc - I doubt these celebs will do any more for humanitarian causes once they land back in the UK.
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