Grammys to Honor Bono As Person of the Year for AIDS, Debt Work
The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which sponsors the Grammy Awards, has announced that it will award the 2003 MusiCares Person of the Year award to Irish rock star Bono for his work on behalf of people with HIV/AIDS and debt relief, AllAfrica.com reports. Bono over the past three years has "us[ed] his fame" to call world attention to the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa, as well as to fighting famine and reducing the debt of developing nations (AllAfrica.com, 10/8). In 2001, Bono brought together a group musicians to record a single to raise funds for HIV/AIDS, and earlier this year, he traveled to Africa with Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill to "make the case for more money for AIDS treatment." In addition, Bono is in the process of setting up an organization, Debt, AIDS, Trade for Africa (DATA), that will focus on encouraging rich nations to increase donations to HIV/AIDS-related projects and improve their policies regarding Africa (Recording Academy release, 10/7). Recording Academy Chair Garth Fundis called Bono a "gifted and dedicated visionary," adding that his "musical accomplishments are matched only by his endeavors to effect positive change on the human condition worldwide." The academy will present the award to Bono in New York City on Feb. 21, two days before the Grammy Awards (AllAfrica.com, 10/8).
Bono on MTV's 'Diary'
In related news, MTV last night aired an episode of its series "Diary" that followed Bono, O'Neill, actor Chris Tucker and two college students on their trip to Ghana, South Africa, Ethiopia and Uganda. The episode, titled, "The Diary of Bono and Chris Tucker: Aiding Africa," shows Bono's commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa and the "newly awakened perspectives" of the college students (Bianculli, New York Daily News, 10/9).
