Angelina Jolie, the stunning
star of recent films 'Tombraider' and 'Original
Sin,' was appointed the UN High Commission
for Refugees (UNHCR) Goodwill Ambassador on
Monday. At a ceremony at UNHCR headquarters
in Geneva, Ruud Lubbers, High Commissioner
for Refugees, welcomed Jolie to the ranks of
the organization which is currently working
for nearly 22 million refugees around the world.
Lubbers
commended Jolie for her interest in helping refugees,
saying, "In the conversations I have had
with you, it became clear to me that you are
committed to the refugee cause."
Jolie had approached the UNHCR several months
ago, wanting to learn more about the organization's
activities. The UNHCR is one of the world's foremost
humanitarian agencies, with a mandate to protect
and assist refugees, and finding long-term solutions
to their problems.
"I have such deep respect for the people
you work with and for," said Jolie to Lubbers.
Not shying away from difficult missions, she
has already personally financed several trips
to refugee camps in Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Cambodia
and Pakistan. While in the field, the Hollywood
star stayed in the same rudimentary accommodations
as other UNHCR workers.
As Goodwill Ambassador, Jolie will join the
ranks of other famous people such as singer Gerri
Halliwell (Goodwill Ambassador of the UN) and
soccer player Ronaldo (Goodwill Ambassador for
the UNDP). Goodwill Ambassadors highlight and
promote the work of UN organizations. Jolie will
specifically need to draw attention to the plight
of refugees, and their persevering attempts to
rebuild their troubled lives.
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