Angelina Jolie Visits Lampedusa and Thanks Italy

| Mon, 06/20/2011 - 05:07
Angelina Jolie

On the eve of World Refugee Day, Angelina Jolie arrived on the small Italian island of Lampedusa on Sunday. The island has become home for 20,000 people fleeing the political instability of Libya and Tunisia.

The actress, who is a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, first met with refugees and then attended a memorial for those who had lost their lives at sea trying to escape the uprising in the Arab world.

At the memorial ceremony, the American actress thanked and acknowledged the pressure that the huge number of refugees had put on the small island. Jolie praised Italy for opening its borders, saying: "I can not say what Europe should do, but I can say I am grateful to the Italians and to Lampedusa for keeping the borders open. The world needs more tolerance."

To see part of Angelina Jolie's visit to Lampedusa, watch the video below: