8 minute read
THEO JAMES ON FAMILY, RESILIENCE, AND THE FIGHT FOR REFUGEE RIGHTS
© UNHCR/Andy Hall
THEO JAMES ON FAMILY, RESILIENCE, AND THE FIGHT FOR REFUGEE RIGHTS
RAYE MOCIOIU
Before British actor and producer Theo James started working with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, he admits that he had very little idea of just how tough life is for refugees.
“The news only really scratches the surface,” the White Lotus and The Gentlemen actor explained. “Behind the headlines are the human stories: dangerous crossings, harsh conditions in refugee camps, and economic hardships. On top of that, many refugees are on the frontlines of the climate crisis.”
Every year, millions of people are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution and cannot return without risking their lives, safety, or freedom. Since beginning his work with the UNHCR, James has not only learned about what displacement looks like in today’s landscape, but he’s also seen it firsthand.
“What’s truly staggering is that since I began supporting UNHCR eight years ago, the number of displaced people worldwide has almost doubled to 120 million today,” he shared. “To me, that shows the sheer scale of the humanitarian crisis we’re in.”
Responding to a crisis of this scale is far from easy. The UNHCR works tirelessly to deliver life-saving aid and protection in emergencies and advocate for improved asylum laws and systems so displaced people can access their rights and rebuild their lives—either at home once it’s safe to do so or begin again somewhere new. Since becoming a Goodwill Ambassador earlier this year, James has added a new off-screen role to his list of on-screen accolades: a humanitarian.
Not everyone copes well with adversity, and there are certainly longterm consequences of the trauma that many refugees have faced. That said, the strength and courage of many refugees I’ve met is something I deeply admire.
—Theo James
“To me, being a Goodwill Ambassador is about standing with refugees, raising awareness, encouraging public support, and helping to tell their stories,” he said. “Now, more than ever, they need our help.”
A FAMILY LEGACY
“Right now, more than 120 million people around the world are displaced,” James explained. “Millions of people, just like my grandfather, are forced to leave everything behind with nothing but hope for a safer, more stable life. That’s why being a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR is important to me.”
For James, this crisis hits home. His deep connection to the refugee cause stems not only from his work with the agency but also from his own family's experiences during World War II.
“My grandfather’s experience as a refugee is a huge part of why I feel so connected to my role as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR,” said James. “In 1941, he had to flee his home, escaping Athens by boat to Turkey and then travelling overland to Damascus, Syria. After the Second World War, he worked as a doctor for the UN in a camp for displaced people in Germany. The people of Syria offered him refuge, and thanks to their kindness, he was able to rebuild his life and give back. That’s something that stays with me.”
James explained that this role is an opportunity to raise awareness and stand alongside people who face the same harrowing reality that his grandfather did. His grandfather’s story strongly influences his approach to advocacy, reminding him that each refugee is not just a statistic, but a person with a history, dreams, and aspirations.
“His courage and resilience have inspired me to help make a difference in the lives of displaced people,” James reflected.
RESILIENCE IN ACTION
As a Global Goodwill Ambassador, James has visited refugees across the globe, gaining insight into their lives and struggles.
“I am lucky enough to have a platform, and by sharing refugees' stories, I hope that people take a minute to think about those whose lives have been disrupted by war and perhaps think about their own families’ histories, which are also likely to be shaped by migration,” James explained. “Refugees are people just like you and me, simply trying to survive.”
In 2023, James travelled to Jordan with the UNHCR to visit the urban areas of Amman.
During this trip, he saw firsthand the harsh realities of the Azraq Refugee Camp.
Jordan, a country that hosts the second-highest share of refugees per capita globally, continues to bear the weight of providing health care, education, and employment to millions. James was struck by the invisible scars of war—debt, unemployment, and the lingering trauma of loss—observing how despair was setting in for many refugees.
"The scars of war are not always visible, but there is also an enormous sustained impact,” James said of the trip. “For many, it is as if they are carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. All this while trying to cope with the trauma of war and loss.”
It’s an uphill battle for many refugees, one with which James sympathizes. A dedicated advocate for mental health support for refugees, James speaks passionately about the intersection of adversity and mental illness, noting how much strength it takes to continue on in the face of crisis.
“Not everyone copes well with adversity, and there are certainly long-term consequences of the trauma that many refugees have faced,” James shared. “That said, the strength and courage of many refugees I’ve met is something I deeply admire.”
James has also been a vocal supporter of campaigns and initiatives that address the climate crisis, which disproportionately affects displaced populations. Climate change and forced migration are intricately linked, with extreme weather events, environmental degradation, and the impacts of global warming contributing to multiple overlapping crises. For James, raising awareness about the connection between climate change and displacement is critical to his role as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.
Many refugees and internally displaced people find themselves in countries that are both vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and ill-equipped to adapt. For those already displaced by conflict, persecution, or violence, climate hazards can further exacerbate their struggles and make it harder to become self-sufficient.
“I have recently returned from a visit to Mauritania to meet and speak with refugees who combat the effects of climate change on a daily basis,” said James. “I spent time with a volunteer group of refugee firefighters who combat the bushfires that devastated the area during Mauritania’s dry season. They work gruelling 12-hour shifts, often for days in a row, and when they’re not fighting fires, they’re planting trees as part of a reforestation effort. They’re not just helping the refugee community but also supporting the host community by tackling climate change head-on.”
Looking ahead, James plans to use his platform to advocate for lasting solutions to these interconnected issues and raise awareness about how the climate crisis is driving forced migration.
“Next, I’m heading to COP29 in Azerbaijan with UNHCR to raise awareness about the devastating impact of the climate crisis on refugees and the urgent need for support,” he shared.
ADVOCACY BEYOND BORDERS
James has also used his voice— quite literally—to support UNHCR’s work. In 2019, he provided the narration for the agency’s High-Level Segment on Statelessness, a forum focused on addressing the plight of stateless people. In his native UK, James backed the Families Together campaign, calling for child refugees to have a route to reunite with their parents.
“My role as a Goodwill Ambassador is just beginning, and there are so many more things I want to achieve in this role.”
Already, James has made an impact, using his voice, platform, and personal connection to refugees to champion the rights of displaced people around the world. By bringing the stories of refugees to light, he inspires action, whether through fundraising, advocacy, or simply shifting public perceptions of the refugee crisis. His work reminds the world of the humanity behind the headlines.
“The journey of a refugee is long and complicated, and the strength and courage required along the way is incredibly inspiring,” James explained.
“One story that really stays with me is that of Housam, who I met in a refugee camp in Greece. He’s from Damascus, Syria—the same place my grandfather fled to during the Second World War. Before the conflict, Housam was just two months into a law degree when the bombing forced him to leave his home, his studies, his whole life behind.
“I was lucky enough to meet him again a year later in France. He was incredibly lucky to have the chance to start over. But Housam shouldn’t be an exception. Every refugee deserves the chance to find safety and build a better life. ”
Supporting UNHCR helps refugees do precisely that. Learn more and donate at unhcr.org
