The Ceremony

The ceremony is organized by UNHCR in cooperation with the Government of Norway and the Norwegian Refugee Council, the State Council of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the Administrative Council of the City of Geneva and the IKEA Foundation.

Invitations are being prepared now and will be sent out in July to high-level ministers and senior diplomats attending UNHCR’s annual Executive Committee meeting; local and national Swiss authorities; heads of partner humanitarian agencies; UNHCR corporate partners; UNHCR staff; and invited members of the media.

Unfortunately, the event is not open to the general public. However the event will be streamed online and there will be a range of ways to join the dialogue. 

Nansen Refugee Award Ceremony

30 May 2016

  • Malian singer-songwriter Rokia Traoré performs at the Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
    Malian singer-songwriter Rokia Traoré performs at the Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.  © UNHCR/M.Henley
  • British singer-songwriter, Dido, performs at the 2013 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
    British singer-songwriter, Dido, performs at the 2013 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony. © UNHCR/M.Henley
  • Sister Angélique Namaika from Democratic Republic of the Congo addresses the audience at the 2013 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
    Sister Angélique Namaika from Democratic Republic of the Congo addresses the audience at the 2013 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony. © UNHCR/M.Henley
  • Sweet Rush perform at the 2010 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
    Sweet Rush perform at the 2010 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony. © UNHCR/Nilo photographes
  • Gerry Hofstetter's light show on the exterior of the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices.
    Gerry Hofstetter's light show on the exterior of the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices. © UNHCR/F.Vittoz
  • Actor and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Ger Duany speaks about the impact of education on his life.
    Actor and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Ger Duany speaks about the impact of education on his life.  © UNHCR/M.Henley
  • Aqeela Asifi made it her mission over more than 20 years in exile to bring education to refugee girls in Pakistan
    Aqeela Asifi made it her mission over more than 20 years in exile to bring education to refugee girls in Pakistan © UNHCR/M Henley
  • UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Barbara Hendricks and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angelique Kidjo perform a duet.
    UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Barbara Hendricks and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angelique Kidjo perform a duet.  © UNHCR/M.Henley
  • High Commissioner António Guterres with the representatives of the Butterflies after the 2014 Ceremony
    High Commissioner António Guterres with the representatives of the Butterflies after the 2014 Ceremony © UNHCR/M.Henley
  • The Mexican acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela performs at the Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
    The Mexican acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela performs at the Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.  © UNHCR/M.Henley
  • Malian singer-songwriter Rokia Traoré performs at the Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
  • British singer-songwriter, Dido, performs at the 2013 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
  • Sister Angélique Namaika from Democratic Republic of the Congo addresses the audience at the 2013 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
  • Sweet Rush perform at the 2010 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
  • Gerry Hofstetter's light show on the exterior of the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices.
  • Actor and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Ger Duany speaks about the impact of education on his life.
  • Aqeela Asifi made it her mission over more than 20 years in exile to bring education to refugee girls in Pakistan
  • UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Barbara Hendricks and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angelique Kidjo perform a duet.
  • High Commissioner António Guterres with the representatives of the Butterflies after the 2014 Ceremony
  • The Mexican acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela performs at the Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.