The Philanthropic Family

UNICEF World Refugee Day is this Saturday, June 20th. In recognition of the day, they recently produced a video featuring Angelina Jolie, one of their global ambassadors and possibly the most famous woman in the world.

According to the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), the video is expecting millions of views. It will be played in airports, on television and of course on YouTube. Angelina Jolie will certainly turn heads, but once they listen to the 30-second spot, what is it that UNHCR wants us to do?

“In her new video, Jolie stresses that “Refugees are the most vulnerable people on earth. Every day they are fighting to survive. They deserve our respect.” Jolie calls on the public to “remember them on this day.”

Really, that’s it? That’s the big payoff? “Remember them”? I think UNICEF has done Ms. Jolie a dis-service here by giving her pretty thin material to work with. Surely there is a more compelling call to action for people watching this video? How about “Visit our website for details on how to press for refugee rights” or “Tell your friends about the UNHCR mission,” or

…download our widgets to bring attention to this issue through your own blog or website, or

…become a fan on Facebook to receive action alerts and event invitations, or

…sign a petition telling world leaders how you feel about this issue.

…DONATE to support the work of the UN High Commissioner on Refugees

The sad thing is, UNHCR actually developed a lot of these tools, they just aren’t connected to the video with Ms. Jolie, or to the web press release on their site announcing it.  By searching Google for “World Refugee Day ’09″ I found live feeds, twitter streams and badges here.

Or how about this: tell them “Don’t Give.”

This celebrity-filled video from Oakwood is everything that an appeal to the masses should be.  Take a minute to watch it and see if you can identify all the famous people…

I have to tell you I have no idea what or where Oakwood School is. And where I saw the video on YouTube there was no “Link below” to click and find out more. But the video uses humor instead of dread, inspiration instead guilt, draws out every possible excuse for not giving, and blows them up when we really examine them. And like every good fundraising appeal, it ends with a “Thank You.”

Drawing on our better selves and being inspired to make a difference, let’s do more than “Remember them.” On this World Refugee Day, let’s take action. Whether you give time or money or access some of your social networks to bring others to the cause, just give a little bit.

A sampling of actions from around the web:

Donate blog revenues from June 20th to UNHCR like Google Earth Blog

Visit the Humanitarian Relief page at Change.org and select one of the actions, like “Call on Investors to Stand Up for Human Rights in Darfur.”

Attend a World Refugee Day event hosted by the International Rescue Committee or join the IRC and Urge President Obama to Welcome Refugees.

Or check out the live video and live chat or find badges on http://www.refugeedaylive.org/