The Ceremony

The ceremony is organised by UNHCR with the generous support from the Swiss and Norwegian governments, the State Council of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the Administrative Council of the City of Geneva and the IKEA Foundation. Every year, the ceremony brings together performers and speakers passionate about the refugee cause. 

The Nansen Refugee Award ceremony is by invitation only and the public can watch the event recorded streamed live on the UNHCR Facebook channel here.

  • British television presenter Anita Rani hosted the Nansen Refugee Award Facebook Live during the ceremony.
    British television presenter Anita Rani hosted the Nansen Refugee Award Facebook Live during the ceremony. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, presents the 2018 Nansen Refugee Award to Dr. Evan Atar Adaha, a surgeon and medical director at a hospital in north-eastern South Sudan.
    UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, presents the 2018 Nansen Refugee Award to Dr. Evan Atar Adaha, a surgeon and medical director at a hospital in north-eastern South Sudan. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett gives the keynote address at the 2018 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
    UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett gives the keynote address at the 2018 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • Sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar performs at the 2018 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
    Sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar performs at the 2018 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • Ahmad Joudeh, Syrian dancer and choreographer, performs at this year's Nansen Award ceremony.
    Ahmad Joudeh, Syrian dancer and choreographer, performs at this year's Nansen Award ceremony. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • Nomzamo Mbatha, South African actress and human rights activist, hosts the Nansen Refugee Award ceremony at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva.
    Nomzamo Mbatha, South African actress and human rights activist, hosts the Nansen Refugee Award ceremony at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • Norwegian singer Sigrid performs her song "Don't Kill My Vibe" at the 2018 Nansen Award ceremony.
    Norwegian singer Sigrid performs her song "Don't Kill My Vibe" at the 2018 Nansen Award ceremony. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • British journalist and broadcaster Anita Rani hosts UNHCR's 2017 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva, Switzerland.
    British journalist and broadcaster Anita Rani hosts UNHCR's 2017 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva, Switzerland. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • Syrian refugee and accomplished violinist Mariela Shaker performs Meditation Thais by Jules Massenet with Syrian British pianist, Riyad Nicolas.
    Syrian refugee and accomplished violinist Mariela Shaker performs Meditation Thais by Jules Massenet with Syrian British pianist, Riyad Nicolas. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • Nujeen Mustafa, who made the dangerous journey from Syria to Germany in a wheelchair, addresses the audience.
    Nujeen Mustafa, who made the dangerous journey from Syria to Germany in a wheelchair, addresses the audience. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi tells the 2017 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony how key education is to refugees.
    United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi tells the 2017 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony how key education is to refugees. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi presents the 2017 Nansen Refugee Award to Zannah Mustapha.
    UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi presents the 2017 Nansen Refugee Award to Zannah Mustapha. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • Zannah Mustapha, UNHCR's 2017 Nansen Award winner, speaks about his work advocating for the rights and education of displaced children in northeast Nigeria.
    Zannah Mustapha, UNHCR's 2017 Nansen Award winner, speaks about his work advocating for the rights and education of displaced children in northeast Nigeria. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • Tony Allen, who hails from Nigeria and is one of the greatest drummers of all time, performs a tribute in honour of the Nansen Aard winner.
    Tony Allen, who hails from Nigeria and is one of the greatest drummers of all time, performs a tribute in honour of the Nansen Aard winner. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • The reception for the 2016 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award ceremony
    The reception for the 2016 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award ceremony © UNHCR/Susan Hopper
  • Konstantinos Mitragas accepts the 2016 Nansen Refugee Award on behalf of the Hellenic Rescue Team (HRT). As secretary-general, Mitragas leads a team of more than 2,000 HRT volunteers, who have been rescuing people from the Aegean Sea and Greek mountains since 1978.
    Konstantinos Mitragas accepts the 2016 Nansen Refugee Award on behalf of the Hellenic Rescue Team (HRT). As secretary-general, Mitragas leads a team of more than 2,000 HRT volunteers, who have been rescuing people from the Aegean Sea and Greek mountains since 1978. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • The HRT and Efi Latsoudi receive the 2016 Nansen Refugee Award at a ceremony in Geneva, for their outstanding work during 2015 when they helped thousands of refugees arriving in Greece.
    The HRT and Efi Latsoudi receive the 2016 Nansen Refugee Award at a ceremony in Geneva, for their outstanding work during 2015 when they helped thousands of refugees arriving in Greece. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • Lebanese TV host and UNHCR High Profile Supporter, Neshan, with Konstantinos Mitragas and Efi Latsoudi at the 2016 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
    Lebanese TV host and UNHCR High Profile Supporter, Neshan, with Konstantinos Mitragas and Efi Latsoudi at the 2016 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • The reigning World Poetry Slam Champion, Emi Mahmoud, performs at the 2016 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
    The reigning World Poetry Slam Champion, Emi Mahmoud, performs at the 2016 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • 2016 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony. Dance troupe, The Grey People, perform a dance capturing the struggle experienced by many refugees throughout the world.
    2016 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony. Dance troupe, The Grey People, perform a dance capturing the struggle experienced by many refugees throughout the world. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • Senegalese singer and guitarist Baaba Maal with Konstantinos Mitragas and Efi Latsoudi at the 2016 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
    Senegalese singer and guitarist Baaba Maal with Konstantinos Mitragas and Efi Latsoudi at the 2016 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • Afghan refugee and educator, Aqeela Asifi, accepts the 2015 Nansen Refugee Award in Geneva, Switzerland.
    Afghan refugee and educator, Aqeela Asifi, accepts the 2015 Nansen Refugee Award in Geneva, Switzerland. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • Japanese singer-songwriter and guitarist, Miyavi, performs with the Geneva International School Choir and the Neon Quartet at a glittering 2017 Nansen Award ceremony.
    Japanese singer-songwriter and guitarist, Miyavi, performs with the Geneva International School Choir and the Neon Quartet at a glittering 2017 Nansen Award ceremony. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • The reception before the 2015 Nansen Refugee Award Ceremony
    The reception before the 2015 Nansen Refugee Award Ceremony © UNHCR/Susan Hopper
  • The reception before the 2015 Nansen Refugee Award Ceremony
    The reception before the 2015 Nansen Refugee Award Ceremony © UNHCR/Susan Hopper
  • The reception before the 2015 Nansen Refugee Award Ceremony
    The reception before the 2015 Nansen Refugee Award Ceremony © UNHCR/Susan Hopper
  • 2014 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award photographs with the representatives of the Butterflies after the Ceremony.
    2014 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award photographs with the representatives of the Butterflies after the Ceremony.  © UNHCR/MHenley
  • The Mexican acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela performs at the 2014 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
    The Mexican acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela performs at the 2014 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony. © UNHCR/MHenley
  • Malian singer-songwriter Rokia Traoré performs at the 2014 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
    Malian singer-songwriter Rokia Traoré performs at the 2014 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.  © UNHCR/MHenley
  • Swedish-Lebanese singer-songwriter Maher Zain performs a new song entitled 'One Day' at the 2014 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
    Swedish-Lebanese singer-songwriter Maher Zain performs a new song entitled 'One Day' at the 2014 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.  © UNHCR/MHenley
  • 2014 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award photographs with the representatives of the Butterflies after the Ceremony.
    2014 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award photographs with the representatives of the Butterflies after the Ceremony. © UNHCR/MHenley
  • The Butterflies volunteers hold up the Nansen Award medalat the 2014 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
    The Butterflies volunteers hold up the Nansen Award medalat the 2014 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.  © UNHCR/MHenley
  • UNHCR's Nansen Refugee Award ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland / Grammy-nominated Malian musicians, Amadou & Mariam, perform at the 2013 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
    UNHCR's Nansen Refugee Award ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland / Grammy-nominated Malian musicians, Amadou & Mariam, perform at the 2013 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.  © UNHCR/MHenley
  • UNHCR's Nansen Refugee Award ceremony which took place in Geneva Switzerland on September 30, 2013.
    UNHCR's Nansen Refugee Award ceremony which took place in Geneva Switzerland on September 30, 2013.  © UNHCR
  • UNHCR's Nansen Refugee Award ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland / Euronews presenter, Isabelle Kumar, presides over the 2013 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland.
    UNHCR's Nansen Refugee Award ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland / Euronews presenter, Isabelle Kumar, presides over the 2013 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland.  © UNHCR/MHenley
  • Nansen refugee award ceremony / Internationally acclaimed British singer-songwriter Dido performs at the Nansen refugee award ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland on the 30th of September 2013. The ceremony was held to award Sister Angélique Namaika for her work helping thousands of Congolese women displaced and abused by the LRA.
    Nansen refugee award ceremony / Internationally acclaimed British singer-songwriter Dido performs at the Nansen refugee award ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland on the 30th of September 2013. The ceremony was held to award Sister Angélique Namaika for her work helping thousands of Congolese women displaced and abused by the LRA. © UNHCR/MHenley
  • UNHCR's Nansen Refugee Award ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland / Sister Angélique Namaika from Democratic Republic of the Congo addresses the audience at the 2013 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.
    UNHCR's Nansen Refugee Award ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland / Sister Angélique Namaika from Democratic Republic of the Congo addresses the audience at the 2013 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony.  © UNHCR/MHenley
  • 2012 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony in Geneva Switzerland In Geneva this evening, Shukri Aden Mohamed accepted UNHCR's 2012 Nansen Refugee Award on behalf of her sister, Hawa Aden Mohamed who was unable to attend due to health reasons.
    2012 Nansen Refugee Award ceremony in Geneva Switzerland In Geneva this evening, Shukri Aden Mohamed accepted UNHCR's 2012 Nansen Refugee Award on behalf of her sister, Hawa Aden Mohamed who was unable to attend due to health reasons. © UNHCR/Jason Tanner
  • UNHCR's 2012 Nansen Award ceremony held at the Batiment des Forces Motrices, Geneva, Switzerland.
    UNHCR's 2012 Nansen Award ceremony held at the Batiment des Forces Motrices, Geneva, Switzerland. © UNHCR/Susan Hopper