This year, the UNHCR will again give the Nansen Refugee Award to an individual, group of people, or organization that has displayed extraordinary humanitarian work on behalf of refugees, displaced, or stateless peoples. The nomination process is transparent and allows anyone to suggest inspirational persons or groups by February 8, 2018.
The only ineligible candidates are former and current NRC and UNHCR staff (including UN Volunteers). The main criteria considered when determining the winner includes that the deed for which the person/ entity is nominated should take place outside the framework of normal professional duties and go beyond the call of duty, that they had demonstrated courage and helped raise awareness for displaced people.
The Nansen Refugee Award Committee comprises members designated by the Governments of Norway and Switzerland, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Executive Director of the ICVA, the High Commissioner for Refugees, the Chairperson of the UNHCR Executive Committee and a guest member who is rotated each year.
Nomination may be sent to any of the official languages of the United Nations, but must include a description of the nominee’s work, as well as how they fulfill the selection criteria. Only proposals that are supported by three diverse references are considered.
The rule is that one person is selected for the prize, but under special circumstances, more people can be selected. As of 2017, five runner-ups are announced.
The nomination is possible at the following link – http: //vvv.unhcr.org/nominate.html