Stars bringing human rights issues to the forefront

FILM star Cate Blanchett, singer-songwriter Elton John and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan received awards at the World Economic Forum (WEF) for their work in raising awareness about human rights issues.

Blanchett, an Australian, received a Crystal Award for her work with people who have fled their homes.

British singer-songwriter John received his for his charitable work with his Aids foundation.

Indian Khan’s was in recognition of his work championing the rights of children and women in India.

The Crystal Award is given by the WEF to artists who make a positive change in society.

The awards were presented at a ceremony in the village of Davos, in the Swiss Alps, where some of the world’s top policy makers and executives gather for the annual meeting.

Blanchett, who has won two Oscars, was named a goodwill ambassador for the UN’s refugee agency UNHCR in May 2016. As part of her role, the actress has travelled to Lebanon and Jordan to meet refugees displaced by the Syrian conflict.

She warned of the consequences if more was not done to help people forced to flee their homes.

“Lost generations of uneducated, disenfranchised and displaced children not only represent a vast loss of potential but also a threat to future global security and prosperity,” she said.

More than a million people have fled parts of Africa and the Middle East to Europe in the last few years.

Generations of displaced children represent a threat to future security