Contributor(s): Professor John Street, Kris Torgeson, Ann McFerran | Why do charities use celebrities to speak out on humanitarian action? Who do celebrities represent? Are they genuinely committed to the causes they espouse or have causes become another path to self-promotion? John Street is a Professor of Politics at the University of East Anglia. Kris Torgeson is the International Secretary for the Midecins Sans Frontihres International Office. Award-winning journalist and freelance feature writer for the Sunday Times, Ann McFerran has interviewed and accompanied many celebrities on their travels to meet some of the world's most neglected people.