Angelina Jolie.Photo: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty
Angelina Jolieis stepping away from her role as aUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Special Envoy.
The UNHCR announced the movein a press releaseFriday. Jolie, 47, said in a statement that she is “grateful for the privilege and opportunity I have had to work with so many outstanding and dedicated UNHCR field officers and other colleagues doing lifesaving work globally, and to serve as Special Envoy.”
“I will continue to do everything in my power in the years to cometo support refugees and other displaced people,” she continued. “After 20 years working within the UN system I feel it is time for me to work differently, engagingdirectly with refugees and local organizations, and supporting their advocacy for solutions.”
“She will be more effective as an outsider,” the source adds. “She always has been like that, and more with the people than the system.”
Among her various humanitarian efforts, Jolie has worked with UNHCR since 2001, and was appointed Special Envoy in 2012.
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Angelina Jolie.Guillermo Legaria/Getty
Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said in the press release that theOscarwinner “has been an important humanitarian partner of UNHCR for very long,” and that they “are grateful for her decades of service, her commitment and the difference she has made for refugees and people forced to flee.”
“After a long and successful time with UNHCR, I appreciateher desire to shift her engagementand support her decision,” Grandi added. “I know the refugee cause will remain close to her heart, and I am certain she will bring the same passion and attention to a wider humanitarian portfolio. I look forward to our continued friendship.”
Jolie is extremely active for various human-rights causes aside from refugee aid, includingsupporting women in Iran, Pakistaniflood reliefand, recently,advocating for crime victim legislation.
RELATED VIDEO:Angelina JolieVisits Kenya on Humanitarian Trip Condemning Sexual Violence as She Meets Young Survivors
As for her career in the entertainment industry, production companyFremantleannounced in March that the actress hadsigned a three-year international filmmaking agreementwith them.
“To have the freedom to tell important stories and bring them to a global audience is at the heart of this agreement with Fremantle,” Jolie said of the partnershipin a news release. “I am excited to be working with such a passionate and forward-looking team that has an international perspective.”
According to the release, under the agreement that began immediately, Jolie will develop “sophisticated, powerful and internationally focused” documentaries, original series and feature films. She will direct, produce and star in the projects, depending on their focus.
Jolie directed the upcoming dramaWithout Bloodand is set tostar as American-born Greek opera singer Maria Callasin directorPablo Larraín’s upcoming filmMaria.
source: people.com
