Angelina Jolie at the Clinton Global Initiative

by Sherry on September 27th, 2007

Yesterday, at the Clinton Global Initiative, Angelina Jolie discussed a $148 million dollar initiative which would help to educate children in various conflict areas. The project is named The Education Partnership for Children of Conflict.

Angelina co-chairs the partnership and she had this to say:

“Education can transform the lives of children in conflict, giving them the tools to create a better future for their families and their nations. This Partnership is putting words into action, and demonstrating that even in the most difficult circumstances, every child can and should have a chance to learn.”

The goals of the partnership include commitments to improve education for over a million children in conflict areas around the world, giving children in those areas a chance to attend school (something which would not happen otherwise), improve curriculums and safetey as well as materials, and they hope to help 200,000 Iraqi refugee children and 30,000 children caught in the crossfires of Darfur.

The Huffington Post reported on the talks and had this to share:

“Angelina Jolie [told] one of the most moving stories I think I’ve ever heard about two refugees that she met in Syria. One had been brutally burned and dumped in a trash can and the other was a ten year old boy, and how the two of these people somehow helped each other over a period of months. She was convinced that this little boy, who had spent so much time taking care of this horribly burnt man, who literally had maggots in his wounds, would someday be a doctor and that these people we call refugees are all people that are regular, hard-working people that have been stripped of everything.”

I love so much that they don’t just sit in a ridiculous mansion with Hummers in the driveway like other celebrities might choose to do. Instead, both Angelina and Brad put forth so much money and help to raise more money for so many good causes. It’s so amazing to think of all the children who would have had no hope at all who will eventually be helped and educated because of charity organizations like this one, or how many deserving families will finally be able to afford to safely return to New Orleans because of Brad Pitt’s endeavors.

More photos below: