Angelina Jolie Named UN Special Envoy

By: Apr. 17, 2012
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The Press Association reports that Angelina Jolie has just been names a special envoy by the United Nations refugee agency. The film star, who was recently engaged to long-time partner Brad Pitt, has been promoted from being a goodwill ambassador to a role that will allow her to represent the UN at the diplomatic level to governments and diplomats.

AdrIan Edwards, a UN spokesman, commented, "Her work does go substantially beyond what we would typically see as being the normal role of a goodwill ambassador. I don't think you need a rocket scientist to see the benefits that she is bringing in terms of the attention that she is getting for the plight of the world's displaced."

Over the past ten years, the acturess has worked tiredlessly on behalf of the UN, visiting refugee camps in Iraq, Haiti and Pakistan, among other places. She has also generously donated to the organization. "She has donated substantially to refugees," continued Edwards. "There is to my knowledge absolutely no connection between any donation of money and this role."

The star will focus her efforts on human rights issues in Afghanistan and Somalia. She will also represent the UN's High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres.



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