SEATTLE — In addition to being an Oscar-winning actress, Angelina Jolie has been impacting the world as a humanitarian spokesperson. In 2001, while filming Tomb Raider in Cambodia, Jolie became aware of the various humanitarian crises occurring across the globe. Jolie then got in contact with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, an agency dedicated to protecting refugees in addition to solving refugee issues.
Charitable Efforts and Donations a Key Part of Angelina Jolie’s Philanthropy
Jolie has been impacting the world since then by taking part in field missions and meeting with refugees in more than 20 countries. She has continued her humanitarian work by founding the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, whose main goal is to end extreme rural poverty, protect natural resources and conserve wildlife in Cambodia. In 2003, she was the first to receive the Citizen of the World Award from the United Nations Correspondents Association for her work aiding refugees. Because of her many years of humanitarian work, in 2010 the United Nations promoted her from a Goodwill Ambassador to a diplomat.
Along with Jolie’s work with refugees, she also helps by not just donating her time, but also her money to those less fortunate. In 2006, Jolie and Brad Pitt donated more than $8 million to different charities. Coinciding with these donations, Jolie and Pitt kicked off the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, by giving $1 million to Doctors Without Borders and Global Action for Children. Jolie is also part of 29 organizations that strive to aid people all across the globe, including the Afghanistan Relief Organization, Care to Learn and the Women in the World Foundation.
Angelina Jolie Has Been Impacting the World Through Her Work with the United Nations
After being promoted to a U.N. diplomat, Jolie began to utilize her position by speaking out against sexual violence during armed conflict. In 2013, Jolie spoke out against sexual violence against women during wartime at the G8 foreign ministers meeting in London. In her speech, Jolie stated, “That young Syrian rape victim is here because you represent her. That 5-year-old child in the Congo must count because you represent her. And in her eyes, if her attacker gets away with his crimes, it is because you have allowed it. You set the bar. If the United Nations Security Council sets rape and sexual violence in conflict as a priority, it will become one and progress will be made. If you do not, this horror will continue.” In response to her speech, British Foreign Secretary William Hague stated that the G8 nations will donate $36 million to fight sexual violence.
In addition to her other humanitarian advocacy efforts, Jolie has been impacting the world with her work to provide education to children in conflict situations. Specifically, she co-chairs the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict, which aims to administer education programs to children affected by these situations. The organization itself was founded in 2006, and in 2007, 19 separate foundations committed to donating $148 million for the education of 350,000 children and to improve education quality for 700,000 children. Jolie has been an avid humanitarian and philanthropist for nearly 17 years, proving how much an individual can improve the lives of people around the world by giving back to those in need.
– Alyssa Hannam
Photo: Flickr