GENEVA: Angelina Jolie has made a strong defense of the United Nations, saying the world body, as “imperfect” as it is, needs reform but also support.
The American actress and special envoy for the UN refugee agency decried a “rising tide of nationalism masquerading as populism, and the re-emergence of policies encouraging fear and hatred of others” during a speech at the UN in Geneva on Wednesday.
Saying she was speaking as a “proud American” and “an internationalist,” Jolie said some politicians were elected “partly on the basis of dismissing international institutions and agreements.”
She did not mention President Donald Trump, amid concerns that the US administration could cut crucial funding for the United Nations.
“We have to recognize the damage we do when we undermine the UN, or use it selectively, or not at all,” Jolie said. She said “there is not a single humanitarian appeal anywhere in the world that is funded by even by half of what is required.”
Jolie addressed a ceremony honoring Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN envoy to Iraq who died in a 2003 bombing attack in Baghdad, and cited his faith in the institution despite its shortcomings.
“The UN is an imperfect organization because we are imperfect. It is not separate from us,” she said, adding that de Mello believed it should be “more decisive, less bureaucratic,” but “he never said it was pointless and he never threw in the towel.”
Meanwhile, Jolie is set to teach a master’s course at the prestigious London School of Economics this fall as a visiting professor.
The London Evening Standard reported the 41-year-old actress and filmmaker gave a preview of her class Tuesday with a lecture at the school’s Center for Women, Peace and Security. She told the newspaper before the lecture that she was “a little nervous,” but she hoped to do well because the talk was “very important” to her.
The Standard reported that Jolie will be lecturing in an unpaid post in September as part of a master’s program on women, peace and security.
0 التعليقات:
إرسال تعليق