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'Mrs. Smith' goes to Washington: Jolie pleas for orphans
By Stone Martindale Apr 27, 2007, 21:03 GMT
Angelina Jolie (R) participates in the Global Action For Children press conference in Washington, D.C. 26 April 2007. Jolie and Global Action For Children are advocating for a 2.5 billion dollar per year increase by the U.S. Government for programs that support orphans and vulnerable children in developing countries. EPA/SHAWN THEW
Angelina Jolie has gone to Washington DC to plea for the orphans of the world.
The "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" star was in DC Thursday to confront politicians about the state of orphans all over the world, which is dire in many countries.
Speaking on behalf of Global Action for Children, Jolie stressed the need for more aid from the U.S. government.
"The numbers associated with this problem are staggering," the adoptive mother of three and biological mom of one said. "It is overwhelming and the scale of the problem seems to give many an excuse for inaction.
"In many ways it is better to think of these children one by one, each deserving of our care and attention, each being of equal value and each being a test of whether justice—or injustice—will prevail."
Jolie will serve as honorary chairwoman of the GAC Board.
"This is a happy day because it is not often enough that these children are represented in town," Jolie said Thursday at the GAC opening. "Our government has the power to choose which path these children are going to take. We know the consequences of our inaction."
"I am here simply to ask you to think about orphaned children not as a burden but as a great opportunity," the Oscar winner continued. "Their education is an investment in our future…They have had to work very, very hard to survive, but when they are given a chance, they grow strong, stronger than most…The Lost Boys of Sudan are a great example."
"Angelina Jolie is a global leader on children issues," Jennifer Delaney, GAC's U.S. director, said. "We are thrilled to have her as the honorary chairperson of the GAC Board. Her support of GAC helps us to ensure that orphans and vulnerable children in developing countries and the communities that care for them get the support they need."
"The best solution for anyone who is abandoned or displaced is to be home," Jolie told reporters at the National Press Club. "I would support that first and foremost."
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Older Talkback
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I agree with the previous poster. Women need to be educated more and have access to birth control. However, we can not ignore the children that are in need at the present moment. It's such a shame that children do not have the same rights as adults do. In my state we hear about child abuse on the news at the hands of mothers boyfriends, foster parents and biological parents that often result in the death of a child. Rather then be charged with murder these killers are charged with death as a result of child abuse, facing less time in jail then convicted murderers. We place such great importance on security, global warming and other important causes but it’s time we do something about unwanted children as well or the cycle will never end.
Although I agree with what you two have said and would not argue any of your points, I think you have lost focus of what the meeting was about. I agree that an equal effort needs to be put into birth control, however there are little kids RIGHT NOW, with no hope, that are fighting just to stay alive. They need help, just like the kids here in the U.S. that everyone is pretending don't exist. Pretending like they are not there doesn't make them disappear.
I somewhat agree with 'Mother of two.' We do need to educate women all around the world about birth control, sex education, and childcare. But, that is not the only factor in this subject. As 'Mother of two' said, there are children suffering globally right now. That is one thing we can not change. People need to continue to work together and try to help these children, as Angelina Jolie is doing. Although we will probably never stop the mass poverty there is in the world today, we can at least help. There is a chance to save lives here. These children are going to be the ones who can make a difference in the future. This is also not just about education of women. Many women are raped and do not have access to facilities they need. Anyway, I agree with what Angelina Jolie is trying to do, 100%.
Can not get behind a $2.5B increase at this time. I feel all funds should be directed to our wounded soldier and veterans that have defended this great nation and foreign nations for liberty and freedom. There are over 600,000 pending VA claims that are backlogged. Let's keep our promises to our soldiers and treat them with dignity, honor and respect. $2.5B would make a huge difference in the VA Program.
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JoyApr 27th, 2007 - 23:23:30
I disagree. I think that the mothers and women in general should be getting the intervention, education, birth control, careers, drug treatment, so that no one has to raise their children for them. The children are just a symptom of the fact that so many women's lives are in ruins and yet they can't get access to birth control to at least break the cycle.
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