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Archive of Past Nansen Winners
Past Winners of the Nansen Award
More than 60 individuals, groups or organizations have won the Nansen Refugee Award since it was inaugurated in 1954. The first winner was Eleanor Roosevelt, the first chairperson of the UN Human Rights Commission and wife of legendary US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
She has been followed by an illustrious group of individuals, including French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, Tanzania's President Julius Nyerere, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, Graça Machel and late Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti.
A number of humanitarian organizations, and partners of UNHCR, have won the award, which has included a cash prize since 1979. Among them are the League of Red Cross Societies. Médecins sans Frontières, Handicap International and the UN Volunteers. In 1986, the Nansen went to the people of Canada - the only country to have received the award as a nation.
King Juan Carlos I of Spain was awarded the Nansen Medal in recognition of his humanitarian spirit and for his personal contribution to the cause of refugees. Under his leadership, Spain became a country of refuge for thousands of asylum-seekers from around the world, especially Latin America.
The People of Canada, in recognition of their essential and constant contribution to the cause of refugees within their country and around the world. Canada is a leading contributor to international humanitarian and refugee aid programmes. Canada has, from the beginning, supported international efforts on behalf of refugees. It has one of the best records for resettlement of refugees and is a leading UNHCR donor.
Cardinal Paulo Evaristo Arns, Archbishop of Sao Paolo, who set up commissions in Brazil and other South American countries that became instrumental in promoting the defence of victims of oppression and refugees. The Commission of Justice and Peace promoted the adoption of amnesty legislation in Bolivia and Uruguay. This facilitated the return of thousands of refugees to their homes, as also happened in Argentina.
Lewis Hiller, Jeff Kass and Gregg Turay of the merchant vessel USS Rose City, for their role in the rescue of 85 Indo-Chinese boat people drifting on the South China Sea during a storm in September 1983. Captain Hiller led and ordered the rescue operation. Kass and Turay dived into the sea to help some of the refugees who were in danger of drowning.
President Julius Nyerere, under whose inspiring guidance the Tanzanian government constantly watched over the well-being of refugees and practised a liberal asylum policy, thereby providing a haven for thousands of uprooted people. His successors have continued an enlightened and generous policy towards refugees.