TIME Magazine has released a list of 100 individuals itsays are the "most influential" people in the world.These men and women come from many countries.They are government leaders, activists, artists andcelebrities.
The list includes U.S. President Barack Obama, Cuban leader Raúl Castro and Pope Francis, thehead of the Roman Catholic Church.
Nancy Gibbs is the managing editor of TIME magazine. She says she want people tounderstand that just because people have power does not mean they have influence.
"Power's reach is limited to those you can control. Influence's reach is boundless when anygreat idea, any cause, or cure or creation can be shared instantly and globally from the palm ofyour hand."
Nigerian activist Obiageli Ezekwesili is on the list. She leads the "Bring Back Our Girls"movement. She believes being on the list will help in finding the more than 200 schoolgirlskidnapped last year by the militant group Boko Haram.
"It certainly helps to keep the world constantly reminded that the girls are not yet back. A yearago, nearly everyone around the world knew that 219 young women had been abducted bysavages. Suddenly, the whole world sort of moved on to other matters. With this attention ontheir matter, the whole world can galvanize itself again toward their rescue."
TIME magazine put Abubakar Shekau on its list of "most influential" people. He is the leader ofBoko Haram, which recently said it is allied with the Islamic State group.
Others on the list are fighting for social justice. They include those who fight for transgenderequality -- protecting individuals who believe that their sex at birth is in conflict with their truegender. The list also includes those who work to empower females and defend poor people.
Bryan Stevenson created the Equal Justice Initiative. He fights racial discrimination and speaksup in support of prisoners in the United States. He says famous people have a responsibility totalk about important issues.
"There's no question that the history of this country has been shaped by artists andentertainers and celebrities who took a stand on important social justice issues, and I think thisgeneration needs to do the same."
