Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards

Do you know of anybody who has gone beyond the call of duty and shown outstanding dedication and service to the refugee cause? Or maybe a group of people or an organization? Any person can nominate candidates (individuals, groups of people or organizations) but self-nominations and nominations of current or former UNHCR staff are not encouraged.

Each laureate for the Nansen Refugee Award is selected in line with the following:

• The deed for which the person/entity is nominated should either take place outside the framework of normal professional duties and/or go beyond the call of duty;
• It should demonstrate courage;
• It should raise awareness for refugees; and
• It should, in a significant way, benefit the beneficiaries the Awardee serves and possibly also the country/area where the Awardee operates.

The independent Nansen Refugee Award Committee, chaired by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, selects the annual laureate by a unanimous or majority decision.

Ms. Ingrid Prestetun, Coordinator, Nansen Refugee Award Programme, UNHCR Geneva.

Download the nomination form here (English, French) and send it to: Nansen@unhcr.org