September 26, 2008 | Read Time: 1 minute
As with previous years, several celebrities are attending the Clinton Global Initiative this week to push for charitable causes they’re passionate about.
Among the Hollywood elite here: actress Drew Barrymore and actor Matt Damon.
Ms. Barrymore came to the event to promote international anti-hunger efforts. Mr. Damon spoke about his support for programs that provide clean water and sanitation to people in Africa and other impoverished regions.
Speaking to reporters alongside a group of charity and foundation leaders, Mr. Damon acknowledged his somewhat odd position. “Alright, who invited the stupid actor and why is he batting clean-up on this excellent panel?” he asked to laughter.
Despite the humor, Mr. Damon spoke passionately about water issues. He said a 14-year-old African girl inspired him to become an antipoverty advocate when he learned she wanted to move to a big city and become a nurse; such dreams reminded him of his own aspirations as a teenager to become an actor. And he realized that young men and women in poor areas will only have those hopes if they have access to functioning wells and toilets.
Mr. Damon’s celebrity life, however, came crashing back when a German reporter asked him if he wants to make movies with positive messages after playing a “gangster” in the Ocean’s Eleven series.
“This is kind of where my life goes into the surreal,” he said.
