ANGELINA JOLIE
URGES REFUGEE SUPPORT
Copyright 2005 UNHCR
[ March 4th 2005 ]
UNHCR
Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie has called
on business and political leaders to use their
influence to keep refugee issues at the top of
the international agenda. The Oscar-winning actress
was speaking in support of the UN refugee agency's
Deputy High Commissioner, Wendy Chamberlin, who
has announced the formation of a Council of Business
Leaders – an initiative intended to boost UNHCR's
efforts to address the plight of innocent people
forced to flee their homes.
"If there's
been one positive thing to come out of the immense
tragedy of the tsunami, it is the amazing response
by people and organizations across the world,"
said Ms. Jolie, who has worked for refugees over
the past four years in Asia, Africa, the Americas
and Europe.
"Everyone
was horrified, and so many have tried to do their
bit to help out," she added. "What we need now
is for this momentum, and this generosity, to
be translated into a sustained effort to help
solve some of the world's other neglected crises,
like the desperate situation in Chad and Sudan."
UNHCR's
Council of Business Leaders, set up by U.N. High
Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers, consists
of top executives from five major corporations
that are working together with the refugee agency
to improve opportunities for refugees: Merck &
Co, Inc., Microsoft, Nestlé, Nike and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
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