Ms. Jolie Goes to Washington

Thu., Apr. 26, 2007 8:49 PM PDT by Natalie Finn

Angelina Jolie is making an investment in the future of all the kids she can't adopt.

The Mr. & Mrs. Smith star was in Washington Thursday to address reporters and politicos about the plight of orphans all over the world, many of whom live in poverty-ravaged countries where options are limited and their chance of an education is next to nil.

Speaking on behalf of Global Action for Children, which formally opened its headquarters in the nation's capital this week, Jolie stressed the need for more aid from the U.S. government.

"The numbers associated with this problem are staggering," the adoptive mother of three and biological mom of one said. "It is overwhelming and the scale of the problem seems to give many an excuse for inaction.

"In many ways it is better to think of these children one by one, each deserving of our care and attention, each being of equal value and each being a test of whether justice—or injustice—will prevail."

GAC is looking to increase funding for orphans in developing countries by $2.5 billion per year.

Jolie, who has traveled extensively as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nation's High Commission for Refugees, will serve as honorary chairwoman of the GAC Board.

She and Brad Pitt teamed up to form the Jolie-Pitt Foundation last year, immediately donating $1 million to GAC and Medecins sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders.

"This is a happy day because it is not often enough that these children are represented in town," Jolie said Thursday at the GAC opening. "Our government has the power to choose which path these children are going to take. We know the consequences of our inaction."

"I am here simply to ask you to think about orphaned children not as a burden but as a great opportunity," the Oscar winner continued. "Their education is an investment in our future…They have had to work very, very hard to survive, but when they are given a chance, they grow strong, stronger than most…The Lost Boys of Sudan are a great example."

Jolie traveled to Chad, near the Sudan border, to meet with refugees from the war-torn Darfur region. Soon after, the Jolie-Pitt Foundation offered up $100,000 to help fund the Duk Lost Boys Clinic, a medical facility being overseen by Direct Change's Sudan Project, which is headed up by former Lost Boy John Dau.

Pitt executive-produced the documentary God Grew Tired of Us, based on Dau's memoir.

"Angelina Jolie is a global leader on children issues," Jennifer Delaney, GAC's U.S. director, said. "We are thrilled to have her as the honorary chairperson of the GAC Board. Her support of GAC helps us to ensure that orphans and vulnerable children in developing countries and the communities that care for them get the support they need."

"The best solution for anyone who is abandoned or displaced is to be home," Jolie told reporters at the National Press Club. "I would support that first and foremost."

Acknowledging that she is raising three adopted children far away from their native countries, Jolie added that, while it's not ideal, a life in the United States is still a far superior option than what some of these kids are facing back home.