Jolie defends UN

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie during the annual lecture of the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Picture: Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie during the annual lecture of the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Picture: Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP

Published Mar 15, 2017

Share

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 didn't mention US President Donald Trump.

Jolie addressed a ceremony honoring Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN envoy to Iraq who died in a 2003 bombing attack in Baghdad.

AP

Related Topics: