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The newspaper where I read this story made fun of Jolie’s trip, titling the piece “Strong Cheekbones Intimidate Defense,” and describing Jolie and International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo as “both chiseled” in an accompanying photo caption.
The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) believes working with celebrities like Jolie helps raise awareness of the plight of refugees around the world. “These celebrities use their privileged access to mass media and other resources to give a voice to refugees, who are often victims of forgotten humanitarian crises and who often suffer from uninformed negative stereotyping. Our Goodwill Ambassadors are uniquely positioned to make direct representations to those with the power to effect change,” a statement on the UNHCR site says.
Do you think people pay more attention to refugees and human rights issues when celebrities are involved? And if more people pay attention, does that attention lead to useful action?
After practicing law for a number of years, Michael Jay Friedman returned to school and earned a doctorate in U.S. political and diplomatic history. 
Michelle Austein Brooks is a U.S. government and politics writer who has covered three national elections for America.gov. 
Peggy B. Hu defied Asian-American stereotypes in college by studying comparative literature and international relations rather than math and science. 
Stephen Kaufman is an experienced writer who has covered the White House and the State Department, and continues to report on international and democracy issues, including press freedom. 
Tanya Brothen is a blogging enthusiast who began writing for the web on a whim. Now it’s her job.