Cate Blanchett has been appointed as the UN refugee agency's goodwill ambassador, and recently visited Jordan to meet families affected by the conflict in Syria.
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The actress, 46, joins fellow actress Angelina Jolie, who also works with the agency in a similar role. During her time in the Arab Kingdom of Jordan, Cate spoke with people who had been displaced from Syria, and has since insisted we all have a responsibility to engage with the migration crisis.
Cate Blanchett went to Jordan to visit Syrian refugees
In a statement she said: "I am deeply proud to take this role. There has never been a more crucial time to stand with refugees and show solidarity. "A short video from Cate's trip was uploaded to the official United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) YouTube account, which shows her learning the migrants' stories – some of whom were determined to complete their studies despite what they've been through.
She insists we must all play our part in helping out with the crisis
"It feels like we're at a fork in the road," Cate muses in the video. "Do we go down the compassionate path, or do we go down the path of intolerance. As a mother, I want my children to go down the compassionate path. "Cate has been working closely with UNHCR for more than a year, and previously visited Lebanon to meet with people who are not recognised as a citizen of any country, also known as stateless.
Filippo Grandi, UNHCR chief, said: "[Cate] has already demonstrated commitment to the cause and we look forward to seeing her inspire many more people in her new role. Never has there been a greater need to build these bridges."
