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While not soliciting donations, the ads for "ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History" will raise awareness and recruit new advocates, Bono, with Pitt at his side, said at a Wednesday press conference in Beverly Hills.
"We're not just asking for people to put cash in the pot here," said the U2 frontman, as quoted by the Associated Press. "Americans are generous, we know they'll do that. We're not actually asking for their money, we're asking for their voice."
Commenting on his recent trip to Africa, where he saw the ravages of AIDS firsthand, Pitt said of conditions there: "I've seen it, I've been there, and to walk away from it and turn my back makes me culpable. And I can't do that."
He added: "Do we really believe in our hearts that we're all equal? And if we believe this, what are we going to do about it?" he said. As for eliminating poverty: "We can do this. We can do this. It's ambitious, but we can do it."
A 60-second ad is slated to begin airing Sunday night on various networks and cable channels and features such notables as Jamie Foxx, Jewel, Penelope Cruz, Tom Hanks, Mos Def, Al Pacino, evangelist Pat Robertson and the Rev. Frank Griswold, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States.
