Geldof recieves peace award in Rome

Irish rocker Bob Geldof appealed for fair trade today as he received a peace award in Rome that recognises his campaigns against poverty.

“Africa must be allowed to trade itself out of poverty,” Geldof said after receiving the Man for Peace award at Rome’s Capitoline Hill.

He said it was up to the European Union to enable a breakthrough at next month’s World Trade Organisation talks in Hong Kong.

“Today is the perfect moment to talk ahead of the WTO negotiations,” Geldof said.

“The EU must break the deadlock and as of today it has failed to do so.”

The award was given to Geldof in a ceremony attended by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, head of the foundation that issues the annual prize.

Also at the ceremony was Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni, who paid tribute to Geldof’s 20 years of work for Africa, which include the Live 8 concerts held across the world in July.