LONDON -- United Nations refugee agency's special envoy Angelina Jolie-Pitt has made a compelling speech warning nations against a "fear of migration," which she says is causing the refugee system to break down.
Speaking at the BBC’s Radio Theatre at Broadcasting House in London, Jolie-Pitt said this was a "once-in-a-generation moment when nations have to pull together".
"Over 60 million people are displaced today, more than any time in the last 70 years. That is one in every 122 people," she said at the beginning of her keynote speech.
"This tells us something deeply worrying about the peace and security of our world. It says that for all its other advances, this type of human insecurity is growing faster than our ability to prevent or reverse it."
The current refugee system to protect and return is breaking down, Jolie-Pitt said, because the "number of conflicts and scale of displacement have grown so large." She added that UN appeals were drastically under-funded.
"With this then the state of today's world, is it any surprise that some of these desperate people, who are running out of all options and who see no hope of returning home, would make a push for Europe as a last resort, even at the risk of death?"
"Strength lies in being unafraid."
She also warned against isolationism saying, "if your neighbour's house is on fire you are not safe if you lock your doors. Strength lies in being unafraid."
During the Q&A that followed, Jolie-Pitt said she'd been "very disheartened" by the U.S. response to the refugee crisis.
Asked whether she was referring to Donald Trump's comments about building a wall on the border with Mexico or his proposed ban on Muslims entering the US, Jolie-Pitt just shook her head and said:
"America is built on people from around the world coming together for freedoms, especially freedom of religion. It’s hard to hear that this is coming from somebody who’s pressing to be an american president," she said.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
(责任编辑:焦點)
Snapchat is about to explode in popularity, report says
Here's how much faster the iPhone 8 charges versus the iPhone 7
Interactive '3D posts' are coming to your Facebook feed
Giant red lightsaber flies by Sydney Opera House, thrilling 'Star Wars' fans
Xiaomi accused of copying again, this time by JawboneMore than half of women in advertising have faced sexual harassment, report says
If you are a woman in advertising, chances are you've faced workplace sexual harassment at one point
...[详细]SpaceX launched and landed a rocket that has already been to space
Launch, land, and launch again. SpaceX just reused one of its previously flown rocket boosters, send
...[详细]Photographer makes nostalgia real by Photoshopping his present self into his childhood pictures
This photographer just found a way to travel back in time and hang out with his younger self. Conor
...[详细]James Toback is the latest filmmaker to be outed as a sexual predator
The Harvey Weinsteins of the world aren't always household names. Frequently, in fact, they're nothi
...[详细]This app is giving streaming TV news a second try
Watchup, the once-buzzy news video streaming service, is trying its hand again at the news game with
...[详细]Why the iPhone 8 Plus is a better camera than a real camera
I never thought that it would happen. And then it did.On a recent two-week vacation to Japan (my fir
...[详细]Google Clips is designed for privacy, but surveillance worries persist
Google Clips is either the camera that parents and pet owners have waited all their lives for, or th
...[详细]Gymnast McKayla Maroney reveals relentless sexual abuse from Olympic doctor
If you thought the stories regarding sexual abuse and harassment were done—or only limited to
...[详细]Cat gets stuck in the most awkward position ever
Anyone with a cat can tell you that although their cat's claws are impressive scratching and hunting
...[详细]AOL Instant Messenger will finally, totally die in December
AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), the beloved messaging service that was the first online experience for
...[详细]Visualizing July's astounding global temperature records

Airbnb renters find hidden camera in vacation condo
