Angelina Jolie Case Study

Introduction In the modern age of technology, it is possible for individuals to have an impact on international human rights in several ways. Activists and humanitarians often use Twitter or other social media platforms as a way to spread their message and advocate for causes they believe in. This is especially prevalent among celebrities, who often become advocates for causes they support and are vocal about those causes on social media; a good example of this is the multitude of celebrities who are UN Goodwill Ambassadors. However, it is quite rare for a celebritiy to transition from being an advocate to being a diplomat with actual power and influence in the sphere of international human rights. This paper will explore one specific celebrity, Angelina Jolie, as a sort of case study, as well as seek to evaluate how an individual and their activism can have an influence in the sphere of international human rights.

Angelina Jolie started her humanitarian career as a UN Goodwill Ambassador in 2001 for the UN refugee agency under High Commissioner Ruud Lubbers after she approached the UNHCR earlier that year expressing a desire to learn more about possible “humanitarian action for refugees.” (UNHCR, 2001) Her time as a Goodwill Ambassador was characterised by her incredible generosity, notably when she became the first individual donor to the UNHCR by donating over $250 million dollars to humanitarian needs in and around Afghanistan. (UNHCR, 2001) Jolie also made over 40