That video made my eyes water.

I'm full of admiration, as always.

...instead of her premiere, she figured she'd get more press going on her crusade...that's her fooling us into thinking she's such a caring person and in turn, we see the movie...good strategy Morticia!

Wow it makes me appreciate what little I have even more. Those poor people, Angie is such a wonderful woman for doing what she does.

I didn't realize it wasn't possible to help without having the camera's on you all the time.

That's great that she's able to draw attention to the issue, because the refugee situation in Afghanistan is pretty bad, and their winters are harsh. Hopefully the awareness will help bring assistance. I know people from the refugee communities she's worked with who do appreciate the effort.

OMG, she's adopting a kid from there!!!

Angelina really is amazing. The video made me appretiate the things in life more.

UNHCR is the one that brought the cameras and provided the video. Their website and reuters are the only ones that have this news, People.com doesn't even have anything.

They want to bring attention to the cause and Angelina can do that, what is the point of going there if you don't share what you saw?

Angelina has been doing this since 2001! If she did not truly care she would have stopped a long time ago.

I LOVE HERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Remember that Changeling is out on selected theaters today.

I can't hate on this one.

Angelina Jolie

Photo by: Don Pollard / Council on Foreign Relations
Angelina Jolie has returned from a two-day humanitarian trip to Afghanistan this week, visiting poverty-stricken families, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The actress traveled Wednesday and Thursday to regions where thousands of former refugees have returned to the country to face crowded, squalid conditions.

"The courage, resilience and quiet dignity of returnee families rebuilding their lives against the kind of adversity few of us can imagine shows the human spirit at its best," Jolie said.

Jolie, 33, is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UNHCR, which reported the trip on its Web site.

She has called for more international support for the returnees as winter approaches.

According to the UN, more than 5 million Afghans have returned home since the fall of the Taliban regime in late 2001. Another 3 million registered Afghans are still in exile in Pakistan and

No, she's not adopting from Afghanistan. They don't allow adoption. Most predominately Muslim countries don't. Kids without parents are taken care of, usually by relatives if possible, or in group homes, or taken in as sort of foster children, but outright adoption isn't allowed.

She can't ever win . . .if she's risking her life trying to help people she's only doing it for attention . . .if shes out with her family shes a mediawh*re. While I personally think shes a bit weird, I can't help but admire the fact that shes dedicated her time and money to people in lesser circumstances for the last 8 years or so-which is a whole lot more than I've ever done in my life

Good reviews for Angelina Jolie in ‘Changeling’ = good news at http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2008/10/angelina-joli-1.ht...

Angie is a feminist icon.She doesn't live for people who critize her .

I think that the point is she's not trying to win. To her it's not a game and no matter what people on their safe, spoiled asses have to say about what she does...the fact is in God's eyes she's already won.

regardless of what people think her motives are, it is commendable that she is getting out there and shining light on situations like these

Part 1)
She's Actually Smart
by Nancy Collins

Angelina wows a crowd of human rights bigwigs with a kick-ass speech on war crimes, child soldiers and global justice.

“Angelina’s full of surprises,” said legendary profiler Lillian Ross, who was shadowing the actress for a New Yorker piece last Friday afternoon at the Council on Foreign Relations. “She doesn’t miss a thing. She’s one of a kind, not only with the six kids—she’s a real working mom—but her intelligence, understanding, humor. And, of course, there’s the beauty. Clint Eastwood says when you look at her up close you realize she has the most beautiful face on earth.”

Jennifer Aniston really didn’t stand a chance. Neither did most who heard Jolie deliver the introductory remarks for a panel on Darfur at an elegant international law and justice symposium sponsored by the Jolie-Pitt Foundation. She spoke alongside Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the Prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, and New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof. It was the final presentation of a decidedly high-wonk day.

As Jolie left, Ted Sorenson, whom as JFK’s speechwriter spent a lot of time with the most famous brunette of that era, summed up his impression of the actress. ‘Frankly, I came a skeptic,’ he said, ‘but am leaving impressed.’

It began at noon with the activist actress hobnobbing with General Wesley Clark, Nick Rostow, legal advisor to the political elite, and Greg Craig, the defense attorney who represented would-be Reagan assassin John Hinkley. By the time Council President Richard Haass welcomed everyone, the actress, dressed for diplomatic success in black boots, skirt and blazer, was first row, front and center.

When a brand-name Hollywood personality attends such an event, it’s tempting (and often accurate) to dismiss their presence as good PR, a little star power to make the affair palatable to the popular media. Often at these sorts of things, the starlet delivers a few minutes of talking points while affecting a glamorous, yet earnest, pose. Folks were wondering if Jolie’s speech would show a well-intentioned woman well out of her league.

Over the course of five hours, as the attendees digested such light fare as “International Obligations Toward Victims of Mass Atrocities,” Jolie scribbled notes on a legal pad. When her turn came to speak, the room hushed and craned its collective neck. Human rights advocates, NGO staffers and Council members—people who live and breathe this subject matter—shifted in their seats to watch the celebrity approach the podium.

lovej2
4 (Part 2)She's Actually Smart
by Nancy Collins

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Once there, Jolie began by citing the “remarkable education” of her seven years as Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations, and her visits to 25 refugee camps. She then proceeded to eloquently make her case that too often, “peace is placed before justice, often times instead of it. I believe there’s no enduring peace without justice.”

Justice, as she put it, should not be “a luxury for only rich and wealthy nations. In far too many places I’ve been, I’ve seen refugees returned to live among the same people who attacked them,” the same people who remain in power by “threatening more violence if we attempt to bring them to justice. We let those who destroyed their country decide the future for it.

She continued: “When crimes against humanity are punished consistently, the killers’ calculus will change. If they walk away, it sends a message that they need not worry. We need to arrest those indicted. Trials can change behavior.”

And finally, “After seven years in the field I have a lot to learn, but I do know that no mother who had her children killed in front of her, no young girl sold into slavery, no boy kidnapped and forced to be a child soldier, no young girl, like the three year old I saw with her limbs cut off, should be expected to forget. No one should have to choose between peace and justice.”

When the panel concluded, the actress, who was giving no interviews, was instantly surrounded by people who, in the name of world peace, had summoned up the courage to approach her for an autograph—not for themselves, you see, for their grandchildren. “Of course, I understand,” she replied, ever graciously, as the long fingers of her left hand scrawled her name across the programs. “I have kids, too.” Indeed. The most famous on the planet.

As Jolie left, Ted Sorenson, who as JFK’s speechwriter spent a lot of time with the most famous brunette of that era, summed up his impression of the actress.

“Frankly, I came a skeptic,” he said, “but am leaving impressed.”

I think she's one of a kind - a true icon and a legend in the making. I also like that fact that as a celebrity she's using her fame to cast the spotlight on problems facing the world that many of us would not know otherwise - and that in my opinion is doing her job as an ambassador for the UNCHR.

I am also happy to know that she doesn't care what people think of her - be it good or bad.

New interview - click on link to read it if you want to, and just an excerpt below:

http://www.thedeadbolt.com/news/105154/joliechangeling_interview.php

"Jolie on whether she got involved with charities to deflect attention away from her as a sex symbol:

"No, I haven’t done anything because of an image of me. I do what I want to do because I love - I've gone into the field years ago because I wanted to understand what was going on in the world, because I started to travel and felt ignorant and I love spending time with refugees. Selfishly, it's the most I've ever grown and most I've ever learned, and some of the best times I've ever had speaking with other human beings. I love it and I think they're remarkable survivors, and I genuinely, genuinely love it and want that example for my kids. I want to raise my kids right, and if there's anybody who I want to be looking at me and understanding a balance of who I am, it's certainly not for the media, it's my six kids that are going to question what my life is about."

jaan_black, you're absolutely right Jolie has been doing this for about 8 years, goes to places where her life is in danger, gives her time, money etc just for publicity

Why doesn't she do like most of all the other actors and celebrities? You know, show in some events once in a while and get the the same publicity? Someone has to tell Jolie that there is a easier away

Jolie has given money, time and voice to millions of people and it's obvious that she does it because she is passionated about it, but it shouldn't really matter why she does it, what should really matter is the people that she has helped and saved.

So tell me jaan_black how many people have you helped?

There's a great article by Nicholas D. Kristof from the NY Times about celebrity humanitarian work, it's called "Angelina Jolie and Darfur". It would do you good to read it.

Mykie7, you know what is the "job" of a Goodwill Ambassador right? How can she bring awareness to the cause of the refugees if the media is not present and show it?

Popsugar, there's no "controversy" in her personal life. The only "controversy" is created by tabloids, gossip blogs... for hits and sells. Unfortunately that comes with being a public person, but fortunately Jolie doesn't gives a f u c k.

Very touching video. I respect her work for UNHCR. Refugees are the ones that are always more vulnerable, since they don't have a government that can protect them.

Pires, I understand that you like Angelina so much, and I obviously respect that, but she's not a saint and she's not the only one who helps.

Love her! I really hope nothing ever happens to her on one of these trips. She goes to some pretty dangerous places but good for her bringing awareness to things that don't get the press coverage it should.

i don't know if we can say whether it's a game to her or not. see, i think that she does great things NOW - but if you think back to the person that she used to be, it has to make you STOP and wonder why the sudden change in herself over the past few years. i feel like the person that she used to be is the REAL angie and this is an entirely different person, and not to say that it's fake, cause i don't necessarily believe that -but i feel like maybe part of it's an act. i don;t know. i feel like she knows that her celebrity will bring things to the public and that maybe there will be good things coming from it, but i don't know if she would really do the same things if she weren't so public and esteemed...

very small houses , people laying in everywhere , no food or even medicine this is really a very hard life! i admire Angeline for her working around the poor countries in everywhere , these people are not asking for more but they just need any help from anyone could look at them and see the difference between their live and this hard life , people need a series wake up!

Angelina bring awarness to remote places that some of us have not even heard of. She risk life and limb to confort these people mainly children and women. With her passion and treasure she is making a difference in this indifferent world. Instead of the constant criticism maybe you should embrace her efforts. Or maybe volunteer for a cause.

"if you think back to the person that she used to be, it has to make you STOP and wonder why the sudden change in herself over the past few years."

Could it be that she...grew up? Matured? Changed, as we all do given circumstance and life experiences? Such as the life experience of filming in Cambodia and being exposed to refugees and human suffering?

She is amazing and quite brillant. She is hollywood's best PR. She goes to Afghanistan take a photo op with refugees to try and take away attention from the fact she made a mistake a few days admitting she is a homewrecker. The only aid workers I admire are those that are not there visiting refugee camp for a few days, but those who sweat it out day in and day out for years in return get no publicity for the work they do. This is how Angelina is. So, she stayed for a few days took notes and now returns to her Berlin mansion and private planes, while the refugees lives stay the same.

she truly is one of a kind.

Funny how the cameras are always near her with her oh-so holy head scarf when she's visiting Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan etc...

It's a shame that this woman is always praised for being so in-your-face with her charity, while they're others who don't get much applause for their charity work. People make it seem that she's the one in Hollywood who does!

Oh and she probably didn't turn up to the Changeling premiere because the film isn't getting very good reviews. Haha! No oscar for Jolie!

I find it laughable the critics of people who are among the 1% richest people in this world, having a PC to comment in their comfort zone on a blog about someone doing good to others who are not lucky enough to be born in the right side of the fence. There is something related to obscenity when you are not the one who are in terrible need (aimed at bettering or saving vulnerable lifes) and yet you think your critics towards that act of charity to a less fortunate without a voice hold some validity in the grand scheme of things.

Have you ever see a thee years old babygirl inner wounds from rapes in Eastern Congo, or a traumatized child of 8 who can't utter a single word since being raped through genocide who can't even beneffit from a psychological help because he was born in Africa ? Have you experienced kids crying all day long, suffering from lack of hygien, thirst, malnutrition among flees and vomit, aids and malaria, half naked on the dirty mud and stench from an overcrowded tent in a rwandian refugee camp where rebels attacked sometimes at night ? I have and it is beyond anything desicable you can imagine !

When a UN human rights ambassador for refugees or a high profile celebrity does that job of bringing awarness to the less fortunate (like some european princes are sometimes doing) the means of their core business is to be the voice of the vulnerable, acting like a magnifying glass through their celeb status to put pression on governments, national public opinions so that the different organisations operating in that humanitarian nest can benefit more means to belittle a little bit the suffering of people whose voice stay mute by the media because they are perceived as nobodies....so that vaccination campaigns can operate and save kids from certain deseases, ect...

Money, food is usually not the real problem, the lack of political involvment from those who have the means but don't want to use it because of a cynical political blackmail/game or geopolitocal reasons is ! That's why most of the time, women who are naturally less prone to political games when it comes to things related to children, malnutrition or rapes as a weapon of war are the one who usually are drawn and appointed to those jobs while they are more men into other spheres of that humanitarian nest : military and doctors.

Mind you but these ambassadors are the trigger that enable that humanitarian nest to operate with more efficiency because they are sometimes paralized by the lack of political involvment or public blindness. it is AIMED AT SAVING LIFES ! All the futile discussion about the persona of one of those is kinda trivial, obscene when saving lifes is the ultimate aim !

She goes to Afghanistan take a photo op with refugees to try and take away attention from the fact she made a mistake a few days admitting she is a homewrecker.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you really believe that a trip to Afghanistan can be pulled together in a few days. The UNHCR and the Jolie-Pitts security plan these trips down to minutest degree. It takes weeks and weeks if not months of preparation.

Angelina didn't wreck anyone's home nor did she "admit" anything. She has nothing to apologize to anyone for.

She has been doing these trips for 8 years this coming February and very, very of them were filmed. AJ said herself that UNHCR had asked her for a long time before she would permit them to film her. Think how many more people are aware of the plight of these people who have lived in these conditions for so very very long, if not for Angelina making movies?

Changeling is getting fantastic reviews from some and not so good from others but very few bad reviews. Even the bad reviews say Angelina's performance is astounding.

its good she's doing this bringing awareness and all. but then again, she's also bringing awareness to a certain movie coming out soon. so, there is probably ulterior motive. well, mdame jolie always does

Very touching video.

Btw its not like Angelina brought her own camera crew, the UNHCR did. The purpose of Angelina being a part of that organization is to draw attention to issues because SOME people will listen to her and may donate. I commend anyone who gives to charity, even if they do it for so-called selfish reasons.

ilanac, she started to "change" after she adopted Maddox. A lot of people grow up when they bring a child into their home. It doesn't make her a fake person or a hypocrite.

jaan_black, you're absolutely right Jolie has been doing this for about 8 years, goes to places where her life is in danger, gives her time, money etc just for publicity

Why doesn't she do like most of all the other actors and celebrities? You know, show in some events once in a while and get the the same publicity? Someone has to tell Jolie that there is a easier away

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Exactly, there is many, many more ways to stay relevant in the press than risking your life in countries where you are always a target because where there are refugees, there are rebels, political forces in opposition and refugees and those who try to help them are often used as a weapon of blackmail from any of those opposite forces.

Plus who ever suggest the timing with her movie, firstly doesn't know anything about the mind of a buyer who will buy a product (movie) or not based on other things than a serious humanitian job attached to the resume of the leading actress (which is by nature 'counter Hollywood', opposite superficiality and dreams) and two, doesn't knon anything about the UN organisation including its diverse branches and how it operates.

It is a body which operates like a supersized enterprise with plans schedule months ago, within financial constraints and according to the volatile political environment related to the country visited, war zones including. Those missions are very risky with a higher possibility of casuality or premature death always taken into account in the plan, hence the secrecy surrounding the mission, the right timing according the situation in the visited country.

They don't obey Hollywood timing of a specific movie. That's the stupidest thing i ever read and it is an insult to all the people involved in those risky projects, not for the UN goodwill ambassador who is only the window of a real cooperation from different people acting in the same aim.

I didn't realize it wasn't possible to help without having the camera's on you all the time.
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Because its her job as an Ambassador to aware us...
to make us think and move and do something good...care about others and help them....

i adore her for what she does...i really do!

Why do people always want to look back into the past and talk about where she was? Why not talk about where Angelina is now and what good she’s trying to accomplish for others in the world?

Stop always looking for the worst in people. I don’t think she’s trying to be a media wh*re. I think Angelina’s showing us what so many others within the media don’t want us to see.

Angelina told us what they said when she asked them questions. She said that they had quiet dignity...and I believe her.

Those families have been through so much and they are still hopeful for the future and thankful for the little bit that they have at the present time, even though they have NO idea as to what tomorrow brings for their individual families.

I'm SO tired of everyone thinking that Angelina is a 'saint'. Granted, it's unbelievably admirable for her to travel around the world as a UN ambassador to help children BUT there are SO many children that could use that same help from a multi-million dollar celebrity, in the United States. Granted, she's a great actress and unbelievably attractive BUT she's also the BIGGEST HYPOCRITE! When Jen & Brad spilt, she made a point to state that she would NEVER cheat with a married man since her Dad cheated on her Mom and remembered how much it hurt & affected her. Three years later, she has finally admitted that she DID CHEAT with a married man. Why is it that because she now has biological kids as well as adopted kids with the 'formerly married man' that she's finally being HONEST about CHEATING with a married man...I wish she would just admit it! I think she's on this mission to help children around the world to try to reverse the karma she's put out there for herself.
What is she going to tell her children when they find out she cheated with their Dad when he was still married??

It's obvious that people who find Jolie's transformation over the past decade dubious haven't done any work that brought you in personal contact with refugees or victims of war, or widespread famine. It's easy to sit in front of your computer and judge, but if you spent any time with the people from these war torn areas whose lives have been devastated, looked them in the eye and hear their stories, it's hard not to be changed.

It is important to the people in these places and the aid workers who spend months and years there to have the PR which the UN and celebrities can bring. Otherwise they would be forgotten. Amnesty International has used celebs for decades, exactly for that reason.

Back when they were young, Sting and Bono were pretty self absorbed, but after Bob Geldof coerced everyone to play in Live Aid to bring awareness and funds to the Ethiopian famine issue, a lot more musicians took on causes.

Funny how the cameras are always near her with her oh-so holy head scarf when she's visiting Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan etc...

****************************************************

In those countries it is respectful for visiting women to cover their hair as the locals do. But by criticizing even that, it illuminates the lack of cultural awareness and sensitivity people have towards these issues.

I think that Angelina is an inspiration. I think that it is wrong for others to judge her for filming in Afghanistan. If anything, it helps us to see first-hand what conditions these people are living in and also helps spread awareness.

who cares what she is doing this for, someone is still benefiting, and in my eyes thats all that matters,

also this i know for a fact, she was traveling through afghan refugee camps in pakistan, and came across a camp which had very little facilities, she asked the pakistani unicef rep how much that would cost, and he said close to a million dollars, she donated that before she left, with no publicity and no attention...

it doesnt matter what she does this for, people are gaining from this!

If she is doing this for publicity - which I don't believe she is, then people should at least commend her for opting to do this instead of shwoing us her lady parts.

im glad she is bringing awareness but why isnt she home with her children, just asking

after spending 4 years in the peace corp and 2 years in unicef. I was required to spend alot more than 2 or three days at humanitarian sites. Its great if she means well, but I have a problem with celebrity ambassadors that really do not make any difference. Bring awareness is great, but it is the work on the field that makes the difference not the chit chat and sympathy speech.

after spending 4 years in the peace corp and 2 years in unicef. I was required to spend alot more than 2 or three days at humanitarian sites. Its great if she means well, but I have a problem with celebrity ambassadors that really do not make any difference. Bring awareness is great, but it is the work on the field that makes the difference not the chit chat and sympathy speech.