Chris Martin, the lead singer of the famous British rock band Coldplay, is known across the globe as a rockstar, but another impressive feat is his commitment to global health and gender equality.
Martin has long been an advocate for increased access to education and clean resources for women and children. He’s particularly known for his philanthropy and the charity work he does both by himself and with his band.
Coldplay donates 10% of their annual profits across multiple charities. They have also donated album proceeds to different organizations, including the Migrant Offshore Aid Station, which saves refugees fleeing from persecution in the Middle East.
Additionally, Martin and his band members donate to organizations that specialize in the health of impoverished children. They were a significant help during the 2010 Haiti earthquake aid efforts, and have spoken out about fair trade and its potential to help eradicate poverty.
The band has also participated in several fundraising concerts. In 2015, Coldplay performed at a benefit concert for Amnesty International, a movement that fights global human rights violations.
Martin recently expanded his philanthropist work and partnered with the Global Poverty Project.
The Global Poverty Project is “a movement of engaged citizens who are using their collective voice to end extreme poverty by 2030,” according to their website. “Global Citizens” are everyday people who are interested in helping to end world poverty. The organization strives on unity and the importance of community.
The Global Citizen Festival is an annual concert organized by the Global Poverty Project. Its goals purposefully align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which seeks to end global poverty by 2030. Concert tickets are essentially free; they are not purchased with money but instead with social actions. By signing petitions and emailing world leaders, people are rewarded with free access to see their favorite musical artists.
In 2015, Chris Martin was named curator of the festival for the next 15 years. In this position, he has worked with the organization’s leaders to figure out how to address and effectively solve some of the world’s biggest issues. His legacy as a rockstar may also inspire other budding philanthropists to take action and become advocates themselves.
Featured Image by Julien on Flickr.
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