Nansen Refugee Award

The Nansen Refugee Award formerly known as the Nansen Medal is given annually by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to individuals or groups in recognition of outstanding service to the cause of refugees. It is one of the most prestigious awards in the United Nations system. More than 60 individuals, groups or organizations have won the Nansen Refugee Award since Eleanor Roosevelt became the first winner in 1954. A ceremony honoring the recipient is held annually in Geneva, the world's humanitarian capital and home to the seat of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The award is named after Fridtjof Nansen, the Norwegian explorer, scientist and politician, who was the first High Commissioner for Refugees at the League of Nations, a predecessor of the UN. In his role as High Commissioner, Nansen pioneered legal recognition of stateless people and refugees with his invention of the Nansen Passport, a document of identification which was eventually recognized by fifty-two governments. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922 for his contributions to international cooperation and for helping millions of lives uprooted and made vulnerable by conflict and famine.

The award was first given in 1954 and since 1979 a monetary prize has been added to the medal. An annual monetary prize of $100,000, given together by the Swiss and Norwegian governments, is awarded to the Nansen laureate for humanitarian projects, to be drawn up in consultation with the UNHCR. Recipients have been chosen from many different areas and backgrounds, to honor exemplary acts of courage or dedication of a lifetime of service to refugees. Whatever their creed, colour, age or profession, every winner put in extraordinary effort and time to help the forcibly displaced around the world.

2011 marks the 150th anniversary of Fridtjof Nansen's birth. On this special commemorations year, events around the world were held to mark the valuable contribution of a remarkable humanist and dedicated humanitarian. More information on Nansen, his achievements, and humanitarian work can be found on the official website for Nansen's 150th Anniversary. The information and photo galleries are collected and stored by the National Library of Norway, in order to document the Nansen-Amundsen-Year 2011.

List of laureates

Sources