Hollywood actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie delivered a powerful speech in defense of internationalism on Wednesday.
She was speaking in Geneva at the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation, named after the UN diplomat killed in Iraq in 2003.
She called for an end to politics of exclusion, encouraged people to overcome their fear and embrace their responsibilities as global citizens.
Here is a list of 10 most powerful quotes by the humanitarian at the event:
"I felt profound sadness at the fact that the conflict in Iraq – the source of so much Iraqi suffering to this day - had claimed the lives of men and women whose only intention was to try and improve a desperate situation."
"As a citizen, I find myself looking out on a global environment that seems more troubling and uncertain than at any time in my lifetime. I imagine many of you may feel the same."
"We are grappling with a level of conflict and insecurity that seems to exceed our will and capabilities: with more refugees than ever before, and new wars erupting on top of existing conflicts, some already lasting decades."
"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 benefited from cooperation, but actually been harmed by it."
"Astrong nation, like a strong person, helps others to rise up and be independent."
"If governments and leaders are not keeping that flame of internationalism alive today, then we as citizens must."
"The level of conflict and lack of solutions combined with the fear of terrorism; the reality that globalisation has bought vast benefits to some but worsened the lot of others; the sense of a disconnect between citizens and governments, or in some countries the lack of governance; the overall feeling that for all our gains in technology and connectedness, we are less in control of forces shaping our lives – all these factors and more have contributed to a sense of a world out of balance."
"The UN is an imperfect organization because we are imperfect. It is not separate from us."
"Emergency aid is not the long-term answer. No one prefers that kind of aid. Not citizens of donor countries. Not governments. Not refugees. They do not want to be dependent. It would be far better to be able to invest all our funds in infrastructure and schools and trade and enterprises. But let’s be clear, emergency aid has to continue because many states cannot or will not protect the rights of citizens around the world. It would be far better to be able to invest all our funds in infrastructure and schools and trade and enterprises."
"Until we do better at preventing and reducing conflict, we are doomed to be in a cycle of having to help feed or shelter people when societies collapse."