[Intervention from the Director (DER)

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[Intervention from the Director (DER): • I am pleased to tell you that 2011 is a very special year for refugees, not only in the context of the commemorations of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, but also because it marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Fridtjof Nansen. • As many of you know, Nansen was not only a renowned scientist and explorer, but in 1921 was appointed the first High Commissioner for Refugees by the League of Nations. He immediately undertook the formidable task of helping repatriate hundreds of thousands of refugees from World War I, assisting them to acquire legal status and attain economic independence. Nansen recognized that one of the main problems refugees faced was their lack of internationally recognized identification papers, which in turn complicated their request for asylum. This Norwegian visionary introduced the so-called "Nansen passport," which was the first legal instrument used for the international protection of refugees. • UNHCR established the Nansen Refugee Award in his honour in 1954. It is given to a person or group who has demonstrated outstanding service for and commitment to the cause of refugees. • Following the tradition started last year to combine the Nansen Refugee Award ceremony with the High Commissioner’s welcoming reception on the occasion of the opening of the Executive Committee meeting, I am pleased to announce that they will be held on Monday, 3 October, at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva. • This year, the award ceremony will be broadcasted in a number of countries around the world for the first time. It will include the participation of many interesting individuals including from “the arts,” who will help highlight the refugee cause through various performances and other contributions. This year’s winner will be announced in September. • Invitations for the Nansen ceremony and reception will be sent out in August. Keeping in mind the limited capacity of the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices, it has been decided that all ExCom governmental delegations will be guaranteed three places at the Nansen ceremony and the reception. Non-state observers and NGOs will receive one ticket upon request. Additional seats can be requested, in particular for members of the delegations who travel here from capitals around the world. Once we have received the responses, and we have a better idea of global demand, we will then, allocate additional seats to delegations in September. • We look forward to seeing you there. Thank you Mr. Chairman.] .

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