Angelina Jolie has urged young people to get involved in her Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict initiative (PSVI).

The actress-and-activist gave a moving speech to students at the United Nations University in Shibuya, Tokyo, imploring Japanese fans to take action to help eradicate warzone rape worldwide.

Speaking at a special screening of her 2011 movie 'In the Land of Blood and Honey', Angelina said: ''Our world is scarred by immense problems from poverty to injustice and war. But your potential as young people is boundless. Problems that have defeated previous generations, you have the chance to overcome.

''This is a vast task and it needs every effort and every level, from government and the UN, to communities and families, down to you - but it is possible.

''The suffering the film depicts is immense and it is only one small piece of a global problem. Together we have the power to prevent these tragedies from being repeated.

''We cannot change the past but the future, that is an open question, and you have the power to find the answer.''

The PSVI campaign was set up by Angelina and the British Foreign Secretary William Hague, and in London in April this year the G8 nations reached the decision to work together to end sexual violence in conflict.

The 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' star - who is engaged to Brad Pitt - admitted she was surprised by how invested she became in the issue after what initially began with an interest in the horrors of the Bosnian war.

Angelina said: ''When I started down the road of making this film I thought only of telling a story and giving a voice of survivor but today I'm her not only a s director buy as a campaigner and part of global effort growing every day,

''The suffering the film depicts is immense and it is only one small piece of a global problem.''