Hollywood power couple George and Amal Clooney, co-founders of the Clooney Foundation for Justice, spoke passionately about their work advocating for human rights at the 2024 Skoll World Forum in Oxford, England.
The Clooney Foundation’s Mission: Holding People Accountable
The Clooney Foundation for Justice fights for victims of human rights abuses, including genocide, unlawful imprisonment, and more. They recently welcomed a new executive leadership team in 2024.
George Clooney emphasized the foundation’s relentless pursuit of justice, describing it as “holding people’s feet to the fire.” He acknowledged the challenges and setbacks but highlighted the importance of patience and strategic approaches.
Strategic Advocacy: Guilt by Association
The Clooneys discussed their unique approach to advocacy. They believe that directly shaming human rights violators may not be the most effective tactic. Instead, they focus on applying pressure through indirect means.
For example, Clooney explained how they target corporations that do business with oppressive regimes. By threatening to damage these companies’ reputations, they create pressure that can lead to positive change for human rights.
Amal Clooney: Fighting a War for Truth, Women’s Rights, and Against Violence
Amal Clooney, a renowned human rights lawyer, highlighted several critical issues demanding global attention.
War on Truth: She emphasized the increasing threats to journalists and truth-tellers, calling it a “war on truth.”
War on Women: She condemned the erosion of women’s rights, citing the recent Arizona abortion ban as an example.
Global Conflicts: She stressed the alarming rise in global violence, with a quarter of the world’s population living in conflict zones. Women and children are disproportionately impacted.
Taking Action: Channeling Anger into Positive Change
Amal Clooney encouraged those concerned about human rights abuses to channel their anger into actionable efforts. She urged them to find ways to directly participate in solutions.
George Clooney: Storytelling for Impact
George Clooney, a celebrated actor and director, spoke about the power of storytelling in raising awareness about human rights issues.
He discussed his film “Good Night, and Good Luck,” which portrayed the fight for journalistic integrity during the McCarthy era. He shared how the film was inspired by his own experience of being labeled a traitor for opposing the Iraq War.
Clooney emphasized that effective storytelling avoids overwhelming audiences with statistics. Instead, it focuses on relatable human stories that connect with viewers on an emotional level.
