Nobel Peace Center

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Nobel Education

“… the world suffers endless distress, and thousands starve to death every single day, and no one really does anything to help […] Something must be done, something serious and comprehensive, and not just talk, talk, talk.”

Fridtjof Nansen, in a letter to Sigrun Munthe, 1919

In 1922, Nansen received the Nobel Peace Prize for his outstanding humanitarian efforts after the First World War. After the war, Nansen was engaged in international, peace-building initiatives. He earned the Peace Prize for his work to repatriate prisoners of war, his efforts to prevent famine in Russia, his commitment to refugees, and not least his urgent appeal to the world about compassion as a motivating and life-enhancing force.

Compassion in action

For Nansen, the answer was simple: When someone suffers distress, you help.

Fridtjof Nansen (1861–1930) is one of Norway's most famous personalities of all time – a renowned researcher, athlete, polar hero, statesman and diplomat. His expeditions on skis over Greenland (1888–89) and towards the North Pole with the polar ship 

 (1893–96) gained him hero status and a unique position in Norway.

Nansen was the League of Nation's first High Commissioner for Refugees, and his work laid the foundation for much of today’s refugee law. The Nansen passport - an identity document for stateless refugees - gave refugees basic rights such as border crossing, housing and marriage.

"No realpolitik in a civilized society is conceivable without a basis in compassion, reciprocity, helpfulness, trust," he wrote in 1922.

The prisoners of war

How to repatriate 450,000 people?

The famine

Fridtjof Nansen led the European relief work

The refugees

Nansen was the League of Nation's first High Commissioner for Refugees

What did Nansen see in Europe after the First World War, and what did he do to help?

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) continues the legacy of Fridtjof Nansen.

Today, 100 million people are displaced around the world. They include migrants, refugees, stateless people and internally displaced persons fleeing war, famine and abuse.

The UNHCR was itself awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954 and 1981. The organization leads and coordinates international efforts to protect refugees. UNHCR awards an annual international prize named after Fridtjof Nansen.

Nansen Refugee Award 2021: The Jeel Albena aid organization and Armeen Jubran

Nansen Refugee Award 2021

The Jeel Albena aid organization and Armeen Jubran

nobelprize.qbank.se

Nansen Refugee Award 2019: Azizbek Ashurov

Statelessness: A life without rights 

Nansen Refugee Award 2019

Azizbek Ashurov

Nansen Refugee Award 2018: Evan Atar Adaha

South Sudan: When helpers become targets of war 

Nansen Refugee Award 2018

Evan Atar Adaha

Nansen Refugee Award 2016: Efi Latsoudi and Hellenic Rescue Team / Konstantinos Mitragas

Lesbos 2015: Escaping across the sea

Nansen Refugee Award 2016

Efi Latsoudi and Hellenic Rescue Team / Konstantinos Mitragas 

Nansen Refugee Award 2013: Sister Angélique Namaika

DR Congo: When women and children pay the price 

Nansen Refugee Award 2013

Angélique Namaika

Five winners of the Nansen Refugee Award the last 10 years

Who are helping refugees today?

Nansen and the Peace Prize

Nansen and the Nobel Peace Prize

- I would like to help, but I don't know how

- Do you have good ideas? Tell us!

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In 1922, Nansen received the Nobel Peace Prize for his outstanding humanitarian efforts after the First World War. Why did Nansen receive the Nobel Peace Prize, and who continues the humanitarian legacy of Nansen today?