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13th
September 2005
Goodwill
Ambassador Angelina Jolie accepts Global Humanitarian Award
NEW YORK, Oct 13, (UNHCR) – UN refugee agency
Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie has been honored with the 2005
Global Humanitarian Action Award for her work with UNHCR and with
refugees.
Ms. Jolie accepted the award from the United Nations Association
of the USA (UNA-USA) and the Business Council for the United Nations
at a dinner in New York attended by 700 diplomats, political and
business leaders and other dignitaries on Tuesday evening.
Ms. Jolie, who has travelled extensively to more than 20 countries
including Pakistan, Kosovo, Sudan and Chad to talk personally to
refugees, said they deserved "every bit of our efforts."
"They have seen so much, they've felt so much pain –
lost more than anyone could bear and yet they contain joy of life
and appreciation for small things we often forget," she said.
The UNA-USA applauded Ms. Jolie for fulfilling her work as a Goodwill
Ambassador with vigour and valuable insight, adding that she served
as a leading voice for millions of refugees and internally displaced
persons around the world. In addition to her fieldwork, Ms. Jolie
has become a highly regarded activist for refugee rights, arguing
for their protection before senior political and economic leaders
of the world.
The President of UNA-USA William Luers described her as standing
apart from other celebrities involved in humanitarian work. "She
has gone to the refugee camps. She has sat with heads of state.
She has personally and publicly engaged in ways to better manage
the problems surrounding this noble cause," he said.
The Academy Award-winning actress, who has worked with UNHCR as
a Goodwill Ambassador since 2001, used her acceptance speech to
draw attention to the plight of refugees and the work of the UN
refugee agency. She said that apart from her children, spending
time with refugees was "the greatest gift – the greatest
life lesson I could ever receive."
She also paid special tribute to all those working with refugees.
"In any UNHCR office, in any one of the many areas around the
world, you will find an amazing mix of hard-working and often very
tired people. What is beautiful to me is that the men and women
are always a mix of nationalities who have come together with the
common goal – to help others. That is the UN at its best."
In his congratulatory message, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees,
António Guterres, pointed out that Ms Jolie had given an
entirely new meaning to the words "global humanitarian action."
"The depth of your dedication and commitment inspires many
others, especially the legions of young people who admire you, to
think about how they too can help to make the world a better place,"
he added.
Other tributes were sent from the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan
and America's First Lady, Laura Bush.
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