Last Thursday, Pitt was recognized for his efforts to rebuild New Orleans following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina at the Clinton Global Initiative. Through his Make It Right Foundation, he used his knowledge and love of architecture to build sustainable, affordable housing in the city.

During the annual event, organized by former President Clinton, Pitt spoke of his initiative’s efforts, including the goal of building 150 new homes by next year.

Thirteen homes have been completed for homeless families so far.

He is working closely with Global Green USA, as well as thirteen other firms, to fulfill this goal. Many of the businesses are donating their work, and Pitt himself has donated $5 million to the project.

Philanthropist Steve Bing has contributed the same amount.

The eco-friendly homes, which feature solar panels, are expected to eventually have no utility costs.

“Our criteria from the beginning were at odds, to say the least. We demanded that these homes be sustainable, that they have aesthetic qualities … that they be storm resilient and take safety in mind of the families who live there and that they would be affordable,” says Pitt.

He also says that the foundation has exceeded his own expectations.

Pitt has also worked for global health issues and earthquake relief. Along with Jolie, he has created the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, which has benefited humanitarian groups such as Doctors Without Borders, Global Action for Children, the Daniel Pearl Foundation and a U.N. refugee agency.

In hopes of spreading awareness and education, the site hosting the live footage also has a live chat available, as well as social networking tools to share the event and its message. Other pre-recorded videos, some featuring U.N. Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie, are also available.

There are also texting options for users taking part, including an opportunity to make a $5 donation using a cell phone.

From 9 AM to 9 PM Eastern Time, site visitors will be able to see a glimpse into the world of  refugees receiving aid in Chad, Colombia, Pakistan and Iraq.

The camp in Djabal, Chad is the temporary home to more than 250,000 people displaced from the genocide in Darfur.

“Whether it be from Darfur, Myanmar or the Swat Valley, or some as yet unknown crisis, mass migrations will be a feature of our future. We must look beyond the simple numbers and instead at the individual,” says Jolie, touching on this year’s theme, “Real People, Real Needs.”

Indeed, while the word “refugee” may sound so foreign, any one of us could become one at a moment’s notice; just ask any survivor of Hurricane Katrina. The U.N. estimates that there are over 40 million refugees displaced from their homes right now, 80% of whom are in developing countries.

To learn more or to participate in today’s extraordinary event of global solidarity, click here.