LONDON • Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie is to join the London School of Economics and Political Science as a visiting professor on a new master's course on women, peace and security, the school announced on Monday.
The university said the course, which starts next year, is the first of its kind globally and will be run by the university's Centre for Women, Peace and Security, which was launched last year by Jolie and Britain's former foreign secretary William Hague.
Jolie, a special envoy for the United Nations refugee agency, said in a statement: "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.
"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."
She was named one of four new "visiting professors in practice", who will contribute to the master's programme.
Mr Hague will also be joining the university as one of the visiting professors.
Visiting professors give guest lectures and participate in workshops and public events as well as their own work, the university said.
The Oscar-winning actress and Mr Hague have become an unlikely double-act on campaigning to end sexual violence against women in conflict.
The partnership was sparked by Jolie's 2011 directorial debut, In The Land Of Blood And Honey, that was set against the backdrop of the 1992-1995 Bosnian war, in which an estimated 20,000 women were believed to have been raped.
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.
They co-hosted the first global conference on the issue in London in 2014.
Mr Hague said the new course would help underpin their work by developing research to help tackle the culture of impunity.
Students will be able to apply for the master's course from August at the Centre for Women, Peace and Security, which aims to promote gender equality and help women affected by conflict around the world.
REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
