MANILA, Philippines — Hollywood star and humanitarian Angelina Jolie will take her advocacy for human rights and vulnerable communities to Manila on Nov. 11, joining regional leaders and changemakers at the 2026 Asean Inclusive Growth Summit.
Organized by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, the Academy Award-winning actress and filmmaker will be a featured speaker at the summit which will bring together representatives from business, government and civil society to discuss opportunities, inclusion and ways to build a more resilient future across Southeast Asia.
The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth announced Jolie's participation through its official social media accounts, describing her as “a global voice for human rights and humanitarian action” joining the conversation on Asean's future.
“We’re excited to welcome Angelina Jolie, Academy Award-winning actress, filmmaker and humanitarian, as a featured speaker at the 2026 Asean Inclusive Growth Summit,” the organization said.
Jolie will join Cambodian filmmaker Rithy Panh for a session titled “From Memory to Possibility: Cambodia, Courage and the Power of Staying.” The discussion will explore Cambodia's history and the role of trust, community participation and sustained partnerships in creating meaningful social change.
The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth also highlighted Jolie's longstanding involvement in Cambodia, where her humanitarian work has extended for more than two decades.
“For more than two decades, Angelina has championed human rights, advocated for refugees and displaced communities, and worked to protect vulnerable populations around the world,” the organization said.
Jolie's connection to Cambodia began in 2000 while filming "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider." Her experiences in the country eventually led to a deeper involvement in humanitarian work, particularly among communities affected by poverty, displacement and conflict.
Her relationship with Panh also extends to filmmaking. The two collaborated on "First They Killed My Father" (2017), a film directed by Jolie and based on the memoir of Cambodian author Loung Ung.
Apart from her work in film, Jolie has devoted much of her career to humanitarian advocacy. She served as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from 2001 to 2012 before becoming a special envoy, a position she held until 2022.
Throughout her years of service, she visited refugee communities and conflict-affected areas, drawing attention to the conditions of displaced families and the challenges faced by vulnerable populations.
Her humanitarian work has focused on refugee protection, human rights, education and efforts to address violence against women and children.