Angelina Jolie shared an emotional Instagram post about her new novel Know Your Rights And Claim Them: A Guide for Youth on Saturday.
In addition to sharing a few snaps from her book signing in Los Angeles on Tuesday, the 46-year-old star wrote that she is ‘so inspired by young people around the world who are on the front lines of the struggle for human rights.’
She continued: ‘From protecting the environment to fighting inequality and discrimination, they are stepping in to do the work adults should but so far have failed to do.’
She went on to note that ‘in refugee camps and conflict areas globally, children are bearing the burden of the consequences of those bad decisions.
‘When children and young people have the agency, power and knowledge to speak up, they can change the lives of both young people and adults, helping to achieve a more equal society,’ the Academy Award-winning actress.
The mom-of-six’s latest project was written in consultation with young activists around the world and human rights lawyer Geraldine Van Bueren.
Bueren is one of the original drafters of the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – aims to equip kids with the knowledge to safely challenge injustices.
During an interview with Reuters, Jolie said: ‘So many children are in harm’s way across the world and we’re simply not doing enough.’
She continued: ‘These are their rights, decided years ago based on what would make them healthy, balanced, safe and stable adults.’
‘These are their rights, decided years ago based on what would make them healthy, balanced, safe and stable adults.’
Jolie, special envoy for UN refugee agency UNHCR, said she hoped the book would also remind governments of their commitment to the global treaty enshrining children’s civil, social, political and economic rights.
‘We spent a lot of time blocking those rights, so this book is to help the kids have a tool book to say ‘these are your rights, these are things you need to question to see how far you, depending on your country and circumstance, are from accessing those rights, what are your obstacles, others that came before you and fought, ways you can fight.”
The Salt actress added: ‘So it’s a handbook to fight back.’
The mother-of-six said she put up the U.N convention in her home for her children, but was surprised to learn her own country, the United States, has not ratified it.
‘That infuriated me and made me start to question what does that mean?’ said the ex of Brad Pitt.
The humanitarian said she put up the U.N convention in her home for her children, but was surprised to learn her own country, the United States, has not ratified it.
‘That infuriated me and made me start to question what does that mean?’ said the ex of Brad Pitt.
‘So for each country, what is this idea of, you have the right to an education … but then why is it so many children are out of school? Why is it the girls in Afghanistan are being harmed if they go?’ she said.
The book addresses identity, justice, education and protection from harm, among other issues. It provides guidance on becoming an activist, being safe and a glossary of terms and organizations.
‘Through the book, you have to find your own path forward, because we are very concerned about the safety of children. We don’t want children just running around screaming for their rights and putting themselves in danger,’ Jolie said.
The book is peppered with examples of powerful young voices from around the world, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, climate activist Greta Thunberg and 15-year-old Palestinian journalist Janna Jihad.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
