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High Commissioner receives Peace Pole on behalf of UNHCR

High Commissioner receives Peace Pole on behalf of UNHCR

In a ceremony at the organisation's Geneva headquarters, President Hiroo Saionji of the Japanese Goi Peace Foundation unveiled the award.
14 July 2003
High Commissioner Ruud Lubbers, Goi Foundation President Hiroo Saionji, Foundation Chairperson Masami Saionji, Deputy High Commissioner Mary Ann Wyrsch, Assistant High Commissioner Kamel Morjane and other officials during the Peace Pole presentation ceremony.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers on Monday received a special Peace Pole from the President of the Japanese Goi Peace Foundation, Mr. Hiroo Saionji. The Peace Pole was presented to the High Commissioner and his organisation in recognition of UNHCR's humanitarian achievements and efforts to find peaceful solutions to humanitarian crises.

Peace Poles are handcrafted hexagonal wooden posts with the inscription 'May Peace Prevail on Earth' in the six official languages of the United Nations. They have been presented by the Goi Foundation to many international organisations, governmental institutions and public places in 180 countries.