Editing U2 (section)

== Activism and philanthropy ==
[[File:Bush and Bono.jpg|thumb|Bono with then-[[President of the United States|US President]] [[George W. Bush]] in 2006]]
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Since the early 1980s, the members of U2—as a band and individually—have collaborated with other musicians, artists, celebrities, and politicians to address issues concerning poverty, disease, and social injustice.

In 1984, Bono and Clayton participated in [[Band Aid (band)|Band Aid]] to raise money for the [[1983–85 famine in Ethiopia]]. This initiative produced the hit charity single "[[Do They Know It's Christmas?]]", the first of several collaborations between U2 and [[Bob Geldof]]. In July 1985, U2 performed at [[Live Aid]], a follow-up to Band Aid's efforts. Bono and his wife Ali, invited by [[World Vision]], visited Ethiopia that year where they witnessed the famine first-hand. Bono later said that this laid the groundwork for his Africa campaigning and some of his songwriting.<ref name=bonomission/><ref name="mcc289"/> In 1986, U2 participated in the [[Self Aid]] benefit concert for unemployment in Ireland and the [[Conspiracy of Hope]] benefit concert tour in support of [[Amnesty International]]. The same year, Bono and Ali also visited Nicaragua and El Salvador at the invitation of the [[Sanctuary movement]] and saw the effects of the [[Salvadoran Civil War]]. These 1986 events greatly influenced ''The Joshua Tree'' album, which was being recorded at the time.<ref name="McCormick 2006, p. 174"/><ref name=westwon/>

During their Zoo TV Tour in 1992, U2 participated in the "Stop [[Sellafield]]" concert with [[Greenpeace]] to protest a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant.<ref>McCormick (2006), p. 238</ref> Events in Sarajevo during the [[War in Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnian War]] inspired their song with Brian Eno called "[[Miss Sarajevo]]", which they debuted at a September 1995 [[Pavarotti & Friends]] concert to benefit the [[War Child (charity)|War Child]] charity.<ref name="McCormick 2006, p. 262"/> U2 fulfilled a 1993 promise to play in Sarajevo during the PopMart Tour in 1997.<ref name="McCormick 2006, p. 277"/> In May 1998, they performed in [[Belfast]] to promote [[1998 Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement referendum|Northern Ireland's referendum]] over the [[Good Friday Agreement]], which ended [[the Troubles]]. During the show, Bono brought Northern Irish political leaders [[David Trimble]] and [[John Hume]] on stage to shake hands; the referendum ultimately was passed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/opinion/on-this-day-in-1998-u2-ash-john-hume-and-david-trimble-took-part-in-the-historic-good-friday-agreement-gig-in-belfast-22906975|title=On this day in 1998: U2, Ash, John Hume and David Trimble took part in the historic Good Friday Agreement gig in Belfast|website=[[Hot Press]]|first=Stuart|last=Bailie|date=19 May 2022|access-date=31 March 2024}}</ref> Later that year, all proceeds from the release of the "[[Sweetest Thing]]" single went towards supporting the [[Chernobyl Children's Project International|Chernobyl Children's Project]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/film/alis-chernobyl-trip-to-hit-screens-27883314.html|title=Ali's Chernobyl trip to hit screens|website=[[The Herald (Ireland)|The Herald]]|first=Lorna|last=Nolan|date=27 August 2008|access-date=20 June 2017}}</ref>

[[File:U2 with Brazil president Rousseff in 2011.jpg|thumb|U2 with [[President of Brazil|Brazilian president]] [[Dilma Rousseff]] in 2011 (from left to right): Mullen, Bono, Rousseff, Clayton, and the Edge]]
The band dedicated their 2000 song "[[Walk On (U2 song)|Walk On]]" to Burma's pro-democracy leader [[Aung San Suu Kyi]], who had been under [[house arrest]] since 1989.<ref>McCormick (2006), pp. 295–296</ref> In late 2003, Bono and the Edge participated in the South Africa HIV/AIDS awareness [[46664 (concerts)|46664]] series of concerts hosted by [[Nelson Mandela]].<ref>{{cite news|title=U2 set for 2nd Mandela gig|newspaper=[[The Sunday People|The People]]|first=Tine|last=Calder|date=26 December 2004}}</ref> In 2005, the band played the [[Live 8]] concert in London, which Geldof helped stage on the 20th anniversary of Live Aid to support the [[Make Poverty History]] campaign. The band and manager Paul McGuinness were awarded [[Amnesty International]]'s [[Ambassador of Conscience Award]] for their work in promoting human rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artforamnesty.org/aoc/events_2005.html |title=Ambassador of Conscience Award: 2005 Award Ceremony |access-date=5 February 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202073104/http://www.artforamnesty.org/aoc/events_2005.html |archive-date= 2 February 2007|website=artforamnesty.org}}</ref>

Since 2000, Bono's campaigning has included [[Jubilee 2000]] with Geldof, [[Muhammad Ali]], and others to promote the [[Debt relief|cancellation]] of [[Debt of developing countries|third-world debt]] during the [[Great Jubilee]]. In January 2002, Bono co-founded the multinational NGO [[DATA]], with the aim of improving the social, political, and financial state of Africa. He continued his campaigns for debt and HIV/AIDS relief into June 2002 by making high-profile visits to Africa.<ref>{{bulleted list|{{cite web|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2002/US/05/24/bono.africa.cnna/index.html|title=CNN Access: Bono backs 'effective aid' for Africa|website=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614020843/http://archives.cnn.com/2002/US/05/24/bono.africa.cnna/index.html|first=Aaron|last=Brown|date=24 May 2002|access-date=18 June 2010|archive-date=14 June 2012}}|{{cite web|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/africa/05/30/bono.oneill.kagan.otsc/index.html|title=Bono and O'Neill in Africa: Summing up the trip|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406223349/http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/africa/05/30/bono.oneill.kagan.otsc/index.html|website=CNN|first=Daryn|last=Kagan|date=30 May 2002|access-date=27 February 2013|archive-date=6 April 2013}}|{{cite web|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/africa/06/20/Bono.chirac/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406210936/http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/africa/06/20/bono.chirac/index.html|title=Bono wins Chirac aid boost pledge|website=CNN|date=21 June 2002|access-date=27 February 2013|archive-date=6 April 2013}}}}</ref> [[Product Red]], a for-profit licensed brand seeking to raise money for the [[The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria|Global Fund]], was co-founded by Bono in 2006.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bono unveils clothes brand|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|first=Gary|last=Silverman|date=26 January 2006}}</ref> The [[ONE Campaign]], originally the US counterpart of Make Poverty History, was shaped by his efforts and vision.

In November 2005, the Edge and producer [[Bob Ezrin]] helped introduce [[Music Rising]], an initiative to replace instruments for musicians in the New Orleans area impacted by [[Hurricane Katrina]] and [[Hurricane Rita]].<ref>{{cite news|title=U2's Edge offers musical relief to New Orleans|newspaper=[[Calgary Herald]]|first=Edna|last=Gundersen|author-link=Edna Gundersen|date=22 November 2005|page=E9}}</ref> In 2006, U2 collaborated with [[Green Day]] to record a remake of the song "[[The Saints Are Coming]]" by [[the Skids]] to benefit Music Rising.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/u2-green-day-unite-for-new-orleans-benefit-song-245325/|title=U2, Green Day Unite For New Orleans Benefit Song|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Brian|last=Hiatt|date=5 October 2006|access-date=5 July 2018}}</ref> A live version of the song recorded at the [[Louisiana Superdome]] was released on the single.

U2 have provided funding for music education on several occasions. In 2010,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/u2-couldnt-be-prouder-as-music-generation-provides-education-to-more-than-85000-children/a1026615633.html|title=U2 'couldn't be prouder' as Music Generation provides education to more than 85,000 children|website=[[Irish Independent]]|first=Adrianna|last=Wrona|date=12 March 2024|access-date=30 March 2024}}</ref> an education programme for children called Music Generation was established from funds provided by U2 and [[the Ireland Funds]].<ref name="hp-music-gen-2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/news/U2s-iJoshua-Treei-Tour-will-help-fund-musical-tuition-for-young-people-across-Ireland/20388371.html|title=U2's Joshua Tree Tour will help fund musical tuition for young people across Ireland.|work=[[Hot Press]]|first=Mark|last=Conroy|date=19 July 2017|access-date=19 July 2017}}</ref> The band initially gave {{Euro|5 million}} for the programme's creation, followed by donations of {{Euro|2 million}} in 2015<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/2024/03/05/u2-rank-music-education-scheme-as-one-of-their-proudest-achievements/|title=U2 rank music education scheme as one of their proudest achievements|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|first=Ronan|last=McGreevy|date=5 March 2024|access-date=30 March 2024}}</ref> and some of their earnings from their Joshua Tree Tour 2017.<ref name="hp-music-gen-2017"/> The programme provided tuition to 116,000 children in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/social-affairs/2024/07/03/music-project-linked-to-u2-now-teaching-one-in-12-children-in-the-state/|title=Music project linked to U2 now teaching one in 12 children in the State|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|first=Ronan|last=McGreevy|date=3 July 2024|access-date=3 September 2024}}</ref> Following U2's residency at Sphere in the Las Vegas Valley, the [[University of Nevada, Las Vegas]]'s College of Fine Arts announced in January 2025 that the band had made a donation of $300,000 to the U2:UV Music Scholarship and Experiential Fund for music education.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/u2-makes-a-lavish-gift-to-unlv-3268275/|title=Legendary rockers make a $300K gift to UNLV|website=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]|first=John|last=Katsilometes|author-link=John Katsilometes|date=21 January 2025|access-date=22 January 2025}}</ref>

In April 2020, the group donated {{Euro|10&nbsp;million}} to purchase [[personal protective equipment]] for Irish healthcare workers working during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/world-news/coronavirus/u2-donates-10-million-to-support-frontline-workers-in-fight-against-coronavirus-in-ireland-39115850.html|title=U2 donates €10 million to support frontline workers in fight against coronavirus in Ireland|website=[[Irish Independent]]|first=David|last=Young|date=9 April 2020|access-date=9 April 2020}}</ref> The band also donated {{USD|1.5&nbsp;million}} to ease the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the music industry|impact of the pandemic on the music industry]], including a {{Euro|200,000}} donation to the Songs from an Empty Room fundraiser.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9427058/u2-donate-live-music-covid19|title=U2 Donates Whopping Sum to Live Music Industry During Pandemic|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|first=Joe|last=Lynch|date=30 July 2020|access-date=31 July 2020}}</ref> In January 2025, U2 donated $1&nbsp;million to [[FireAid]] to benefit those affected by the [[January 2025 Southern California wildfires|Southern California wildfires]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/fireaid-los-angeles-wildfire-relief-concert-8f87ea97d9fa7a36507fa098dc4433d8|title=Nirvana reunite at FireAid as music's biggest acts raise money for LA wildfire relief|publisher=Associated Press|first=Maria|last=Sherman|date=31 January 2025|access-date=31 January 2025}}</ref>

U2 were honoured with the Innovator Award at the [[3rd iHeartRadio Music Awards]] in April 2016 for their "impact on popular culture and commitment to social causes".<ref>{{cite news|title=U2 to be honored at iHeartRadio event|newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|agency=Associated Press|date=28 March 2016|page=D2}}</ref> Bono has received many awards for his music and activism, including the [[Legion of Honour]] from the French Government in 2003,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marlowe |first1=Lara |title=Francophile Bono receives honour from a grateful nation |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/francophile-bono-receives-honour-from-a-grateful-nation-1.1465771 |access-date=7 December 2018 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=17 July 2013}}</ref> ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''{{'}}s [[Time Person of the Year|Person of the Year]] for 2005 (along with [[Bill Gates]] and [[Melinda Gates]]),<ref>{{cite magazine |title=PERSONS OF YEARS PAST Bono |url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1946375_1947772_1947758,00.html |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=16 December 2009 |access-date=7 December 2018}}</ref> and an [[Honorary knighthood|honorary British knighthood]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bono becomes knight of empire|newspaper=[[The Desert Sun]]|first=Shawn|last=Pogatchnik|date=30 March 2007|page=D3}}</ref> Some news sources have questioned the efficacy of Bono's campaign to relieve debt and provide assistance to Africa.<ref>{{bulleted list|{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/2020/Story?id=1955664&page=4|title=Will More Foreign Aid End Global Poverty?|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|author1=Stossel, John|author2=Patrick McMenamin|date=12 May 2006|access-date=19 January 2008}}|{{cite web | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article783901.ece | title=Bono aid is making Africa sick | access-date=19 January 2008 | website=The Sunday Times | date=1 January 2006 | first1=Roland | last1=Watson | first2=Miles | last2=Costello | first3=Sam | last3=Fleming | archive-date=13 March 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313230810/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article783901.ece | url-status=dead }}}}</ref>