Angelina Jolie sends a strong message to American leaders

Washington D.C. [U.S.A.], Mar. 16 : Angelina Jolie, who has been going through a rough time in her personal life, is not letting her 'humanitarian' work suffer due to it.

The 41 year-old, during a speech at the United Nations in Geneva, spoke against the "rising tide of nationalism masquerading as populism, and the re-emergence of policies encouraging fear and hatred of others," reports E! Online.

"We see a rising tide of nationalism, masquerading as patriotism, and the re-emergence of policies encouraging fear and hatred of others.

We see some politicians elected partly on the basis of dismissing international institutions and agreements, as if our countries have not benefitted from cooperation, but actually been harmed by it, " said Jolie, a special envoy for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

She added, "We hear some leaders talking as if some of our proudest achievements are in fact our biggest liabilities-whether it is the tradition of successfully integrating refugees into our societies, or the institutions and treaties we have built rooted in laws and human rights." The 'Maleficent' star, also shared that she was a "proud American" and believed that "anyone devoted towards human rights is an internationalist".

"If governments and leaders are not keeping that flame of internationalism alive today, then we as citizens must.

We have to challenge the idea that the strongest leaders are those most willing to dismiss human rights on the grounds of national interest.

The strongest leaders are those who are capable of pursuing both." Angelina Jolie, addressed the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation, named after a U.N.

diplomat killed in Iraq in 2003..

Source: ANI