Angelina Jolie Speaks to Nick Spicer of Al Jazeera English at Congress

UN Goodwill Ambassador Jolie says she finds refugees “to be the most extraordinary people, and they are the future of their countries.“ The interview took place in May 2009, just before World Refugee Day. A shortened version of this interview aired on Al Jazeera. At the main event hosted by the UNHCR, she would later say: “I believe we must persuade the world that refugees must not be simply viewed as a burden. They are the survivors. And they can bring those qualities to the service of their communities and the countries that shelter them.“ Check out the UNHCR’s work here: