U2 frontman Bono has won a prestigious award in Philadelphia for his campaigning work. The singer bagged the Liberty Medal for his work campaigning to get governments around the world to cancel third-world debt.
He is the first non-politician to receive the award in 18 years. Previous recipients include Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Kofi Annan and George HW Bush.
The $100,000 prize money will be given to the DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade in Africa) organisation. The award was presented last night at a ceremony in the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia.
Accepting the award, the singer called on people to keep working to solve the world's problems, and spoke about those who are without freedom. He said "when you are trapped by poverty, you are not free. When trade laws prevent you from selling the food you grew, you are not free."
