Angelina Jolie receives UN correspondents award

NEW YORK, October 23 (UNHCR) - UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie received on Wednesday the Sergio Vieira de Mello Citizen of the World Award handed out for the first time by the UN Correspondents Association (UNCA).

Ms. Jolie was cited for her outstanding work with refugees. The award honours Vieira de Mello, the UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Iraq who was killed on August 19 in an attack on the UN headquarters in Baghdad that left 22 others dead.

During the annual UNCA event citing journalists for their outstanding coverage of UN affairs, High Commissioner Ruud Lubbers announced that Ms. Jolie has extended her work with the UN refugee agency for another two years.

Expressing gratitude for her work, Lubbers said: "She has helped put the spotlight on a disenfranchised group - refugees - and also those who are not in the headlines and who are victims of long forgotten crises. She gives a voice to millions of uprooted people across the globe."

Ms. Jolie said she was "inspired and humbled" to work with refugees, adding that receiving the Vieira de Mello award was exceptionally meaningful.

She also signed a bottle of champagne auctioned off later in the evening. A note on the item said that proceeds will enable Liberian refugees to get clean water, food and shelter. "Liberia does not seem to be attracting billions in reconstruction funds, so every little bit helps," the note said.