Burton, Osbourne Talk World Peace, AIDS Activism

LeVar Burton appeared on The Sharon Osbourne Show on April 20th to promote the Children of Uganda and Global Vision for Peace, two organizations that work for world peace and an end to the AIDS crisis in Africa.

"I never believed that because I'm a celebrity I have to abdicate my conscience or my personal beliefs. And peace, world peace, is something that everyone should be able to have an opinion about - no matter what your political or religious affiliation," Burton told Osbourne in a transcript available at Vrrrm.

Burton and Xorin Balbes said that they wanted to use the platform of the Academy Awards to send a message that there were Americans fighting for peace, working in conjunction with the United Nations.

"No one can dispute the power and the efficacy of the United Nations as a global body. And having them be partners with us in this venture is really important," Burton said. As Balbes gave her one of the organization's Dove of Peace pins, Burton pointed out that many celebrities had worn one to the Oscars ceremony this year.

His involvement with the Children of Uganda, Burton explained, began with a presentation for which he did voice-over work about kids who had lost a parent to the AIDS epidemic in Africa. A group was formed of singers, dancers and drummers who tour the world to bring "a message of peace and inner peace and spirit" and Burton was extremely impressed with them.

"If you can respond to circumstances in your life similarly to the way they have, then there is nothing that you cannot overcome in your life," he noted.

Osbourne interviewed several of the children after they performed on the show, and Balbes explained that Global Vision for Peace was supporting a documentary film about the children.

Osbourne donated $10,000 of her own money for Children of Uganda and encouraged others to do the via her web site.

More information about Children Of Uganda and Global Vision For Peace are available at their web sites.

The original transcript is by TRexx.

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