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Aqeela Asifi is the 2015 winner of UNHCR’s Nansen Refugee Award, recognised for her indefatigable efforts to help refugee girls access education. She has changed the lives of hundreds of young refugees. Photo: UNHCR/Sebastian Rich.Aqeela Asifi is the 2015 winner of UNHCR’s Nansen Refugee Award, recognised for her indefatigable efforts to help refugee girls access education. She has changed the lives of hundreds of young refugees. Photo: UNHCR/Sebastian Rich

Nominate candidates for the 2016 Nansen Refugee Award

Last updated: 20.01.2016 // Do you know an exceptional person who has gone beyond the call of duty and shown outstanding dedication and service to the displacement cause? We are asking for your help to identify inspiring and committed candidates. The deadline for nominations is 8 February 2016.

Across the globe our colleagues in the international community encounter countless heroes who work tirelessly to support, protect, save and improve the lives of the refugees, internally displaced or stateless persons. Most of the time they work in the shadow, not waiting for recognition, saving a life, building a bridge, installing a shower, providing water, teasing out a smile, teaching a language.

These great people deserve to be recognized, and you can help us thank them by nominating for the 2016 Nansen Refugee Award. The nomination form is available on the Nansen Refugee Award website.

About the Award

UNHCR’s Nansen Refugee Award, established in 1954, is named after Fridtjof Nansen, an intrepid polar explorer and humanitarian who went to serve as the first High Commissioner for Refugees for the League of Nations. Fridtjof Nansen won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922.

The award consists of commemorative medal and US$100,000 monetary prize donated by the governments of Norway and Switzerland to support a project of the winner’s choice to benefit displaced people.

Criteria

Often, the strongest candidates are those who have compelling personal stories, and whose work directly impacts refugees, internally displaced or stateless people.

Successful nominees could be individuals or groups (e.g. NGOs), whose work:

  • goes beyond the call of duty;
  • demonstrates courage – and might at times face personal risk for their work;
  • undertakes work that has a direct and positive impact on the lives of refugees, internally displaced or stateless people;
  • their work is connected with one of the world’s ongoing emergencies.

PLEASE NOTE: Each year UNHCR receives a large number of nominations for its annual Nansen Refugee Award. Anyone can nominate a candidate – the process is public. Each nomination is systematically researched. UNHCR does not endorse any candidate. The annual winner is selected by the independent Nansen Refugee Award selection committee, and is announced in September of each year. For more information on UNHCR's Nansen Refugee Award, please visit www.unhcr.org/nansen or go to the nomination form https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KPNRJFQ