George Clooney to receive Shoah Foundation humanitarian award

NEW YORK, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Filmmaker Steven Spielberg and the USC Shoah Foundation will honor actor George Clooney in New York for "leadership as a human rights advocate and activist."

Clooney is to receive the Ambassador for Humanity Award Thursday for his work as a global human rights activist.

"The Daily Show's" Jon Stewart will serve as host of the event, which will feature an appearance by Clooney's "Gravity" co-star Sandra Bullock and a performance by Norah Jones.

"George's leadership as a human rights advocate and activist has shed light on humanitarian crises across the globe," Spielberg said in a statement Tuesday. "His efforts around genocide awareness and prevention link closely with the mission of the USC Shoah Foundation, and I am honored to have this opportunity to recognize George as an Ambassador for Humanity. By speaking out for those whose voices might otherwise go unheard, George has been a beacon of hope, exposing crimes against humanity and advancing peacemaking through advocacy and action."

Spielberg founded USC Shoah Foundation in 1994. The organization is dedicated to "making audiovisual interviews with survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust and other genocides a compelling voice for education and action," a news release said.