After carefully analyzing in great depth Beyonce’s role in development we have decided that her role in celebrity aid is more negative than positive. As seen on the ‘CONS of Beyonce’s Involvement’ page, the intention of Beyonce’s work, her mostly financial contribution and it’s effect on government can be called into question. 

 

      Going forward we suggest that Beyonce involves herself in a more ambassador style role in development. Celebrities, such as Beyonce, should work together with NGO’s to promote and represent the work of such organizations. In working together, the celebrity will bring attention to important causes and therefore attract donations. It will ensure that the funding decisions and the decisions on how to develop are made by people who are keenly aware of development and it’s theories. Hopefully, this will ensure more informed development decisions in the future.

 

      On a broader scale it is important to assess the role of all celebrities and private donors in aid work. Throughout this course we have learned to be careful and look critically at media and all forms of discourse and how they often compound to reinforce oppression and unequal power relations within the world. If we use this knowledge to assess celebrity aid on a broader scale it is clear that celebrity aid can also reinforce unequal power relations. When celebrities of this nature give aid to other countries or even their own struggling communities within their country they are making a visual spectacle of ‘the haves’ and the ‘have nots.’ Going forward it is important we ponder larger questions such as this when we think about development.