It’s nice when you get to temper all the “naughty celebrity” news with famous people doing good things. And George Clooney is often on that list. The BBC reports that George has been named one of the United Nation’s “messenger of peace.” He will support the U.N.’s worldwide peacekeeping activities, and bring attention to various needy causes.

The Hollywood star has campaigned to stop the conflict in Darfur, Sudan. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hailed his “dedication to raising awareness and mobilizing action on Darfur”. Clooney pledged to build support for the UN’s “critically important work in some of the most difficult, dangerous and dire places in the world. I am deeply honored to receive this appointment,” he said.

In 2006, Clooney delivered an impassioned speech to the UN Security Council, telling its members that genocide was taking place “on your watch”. Last April, the Ocean’s 11 and Syriana star set up a charity, Not On Our Watch, with fellow actors Don Cheadle, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon to raise funds for Darfur. The charity has so far gathered more than $9.3 million for humanitarian work in the area. Mr. Ban told Clooney, who has been to Darfur: “You have seen first-hand the pain experienced by the victims of war and made it your personal mission to help end violence and human suffering.”

[From the BBC]

I’m guessing this will likely result in a battle of the celebrity do-gooders between George and BFF Brad Pitt. Pitt seems to have a better shot: he’s got longtime UN fangirl Angelina Jolie on his side, who adopts babies from around the world and visits war torn countries. Clooney’s just got girlfriend Sarah Larson, and last time I checked, her biggest accomplishment was, well, dating George Clooney. And winning Fear Factor. Girlfriend jokes aside, George Clooney seems very passionate about Darfur, and definitely has the star power to bring a lot of attention to incredibly needy causes. Only good can come from it.

Picture note by Jaybird: George Clooney and girlfriend Sarah Larson at the 33rd Annual Deauville American Film Festival . Images thanks to PR Photos.