Julia Roberts to join Michelle Obama for trip to Vietnam

HANOI — The Obama Foundation has confirmed that actress Julia Roberts will be joining Michelle Obama in Vietnam on December 9 on behalf of the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance to meet with local girls’ education organizations.

The former first lady and award-winning actress will be highlighting the importance of education to help adolescent girls reach their full potential. The Obama Foundation launched its Girls Opportunity Alliance last year.

The Obama Foundation is hosting a gathering of 200 civic leaders from Asia-Pacific in Kuala Lumpur from December 10 to December 14.

Following their event in Vietnam, Roberts will join Obama on-stage for a conversation on December 12 in Malaysia, moderated by TV host Deborah Henry. They will discuss their trip to Vietnam, as well as “lessons from their own leadership journeys and their path-breaking careers,” according to a press release from the foundation.

“It’s an awesome opportunity to help shine a light on all of those that are helping keep girls in schools,” Obama said. “We know that if a girl stays in school, they are more likely to help lift up not only themselves but their communities, too.”

Though the events are closed to the public, certain sessions will be available via livestream on obama.org.