Hollywood star Angelina Jolie Pitt is to join the London School of Economics (LSE) for a new masters program. The Women, Peace and Security course is the first of its kind globally.
Image: Reuters/U. Bektas
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The LSE, one of Britain's most prestigious universities, announced that Jolie will join the program as a visiting professor when its starts next year.
The idea was launched last year by Jolie Pitt and Britain's former foreign minister, Lord William Hague, who will also be a visiting professor along with two other experts in the field.
They will give guest lectures, participate in workshops and public events as well as pursue their own work, LSE said.
"It is vital that we broaden the discussion on how to advance women's rights and end impunity for crimes that disproportionately affect women, such as sexual violence in conflict," Jolie Pitt, a special envoy for the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), said in a statement.
"I am looking forward to teaching and to learning from the students, as well as to sharing my own experiences of working alongside governments and the United Nations."
Ex-British minister William Hague is also a guest professorImage: REUTERS
Innovative education
Jolie Pitt said she hoped other academic institutions would follow the example of the course, which will begin accepting applications in August.
The Oscar-winning actress and Hague have become an unlikely double-act on campaigning to end sexual violence against women in conflict.
The pair co-founded the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative in 2012 to rally global action on such crimes, increase the numbers of perpetrators brought to justice and ensure better support for survivors. Two years ago, they hosted a summit against rape in war zones.
Hague said the new course would help to underpin their work by developing research to help tackle the culture of impunity.
The two other new visiting professors are Jane Connors, Director of International Advocacy at Amnesty International Geneva, and Madeleine Rees, Secretary General of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.
Recently, Jolie Pitt has also been outspoken on the response by some countries to the current migrant crisis, as part of her UN role.
Angelina Jolie's career highlights
As the US superstar Angelina Jolie releases her third film as a director, "By the Sea," here are a few highlights of her prolific career.
Image: picture-alliance/Zuma Press
Bold drama on relationships
Every single rumor about the star couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie gets picked up by tabloids. With "By the Sea," Jolie daringly decided to add her own voice to all the gossip about her relationship, by directing and starring with her real-life husband in this drama about a couple undergoing a deep crisis.
Image: picture-alliance/Zuma Press
Can you recognize her?
When the US-born actress starred in the movie "Hackers" 20 years ago, nobody would have thought that she would become one of the biggest stars in the world just a few years later.
In 1999, Angelina Jolie starred in three major films. In the thriller "The Bone Collector," she played a cop, teaming up with Denzel Washington. The attractive actress was becoming more and more convincing, even in tough action movies.
Image: Imago/United Archives
Oscar for a supporting role
Jolie's performance in "Girl, Interrupted" that same year was highly celebrated. She starred with Winona Ryder, who played the main role. Her depiction of a patient in a psychiatric clinic was so convincing that she obtained an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
Mega blockbuster: Lara Croft
Two years later, Jolie played a beautiful action heroine in the film adaptation of the video game "Lara Croft." People all over the world went to see the popular film.
Image: picture-alliance/United Archives/IFTN
Engagement for refugees
While shooting "Lara Croft" in Cambodia, the actress witnessed first-hand the humanitarian problems in the country, which led her to get involved. She later assisted the United Nations in various functions. In her efforts to help refugees, she met numerous politicians - among them Aung San Suu Kyi, in Myanmar in 2015.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/N. C. Naing
Two worlds
The US actress is committed to helping persecuted people, all while starring in commercial Hollywood mega-productions, like the erotic thriller "Original Sin" (2001). This makes some people distrust her intentions - they claim these two aspects of her career aren't compatible.
Image: Imago/EntertainmentPictures
Glamor and long-term commitment
However, Angelina Jolie managed to combine these two worlds. She has earned respect by further pursuing her social and political projects. Throughout the years, she also kept receiving roles adding to her desirability in Hollywood, such as here in Oliver Stone's historical epic "Alexander" (2004).
Image: Imago/Unimedia Images
Scenes of a marriage
The 2005 film "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" was not only a huge commercial success, it also led Jolie to get closer to her co-star, Brad Pitt. Later on, they became one of Hollywood's dream couples.
Image: picture alliance/kpa
Meeting the Queen
Whether while working on a film or through her humanitarian engagement, Angelina Jolie has met some of the world's most outstanding personalities. Last year, she was even received by the Queen. In such formal circumstances, Jolie knows how to play her role perfectly.
Image: Reuters/A. Devlin
German roots
Five years ago, the film "The Tourist" by German-born Oscar winner Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck obtained bad reviews - even though it starred Jolie and Johnny Depp. The movie nevertheless became a box office hit. Incidentally, Angelina Jolie has German roots.
Image: kinowelt
At the top at age 40
The actress has long established her reputation in Hollywood and the world. Instead of letting tabloids and critics bring her down, she further works to stay above reproach. Even the Pope seemed quite happy to meet her.
Image: Reuters/Osservatore Romano
On both sides of the camera
Although she is mainly known as an actress, Angelina Jolie has also directed her own films. In 2011, her directorial debut, "In the Land of Blood and Honey," premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and received a lot of attention. Now, she is releasing her third movie, "By the Sea."
