Kennedy Honored as Champion for Refugees

The Nansen Refugee Medal is being awarded to the late Senator Edward Kennedy in Washington DC today.

The UNHCR reports on its Web site that it was grateful to have informed Kennedy of the award before his passing in August. The honor, which consists of a medal and a $100,000 US prize is given annually to an individual or organization for outstanding work on behalf of refugees. It's funded by both Norway and Switzerland and recipients can donate to a cause of his or her choice. It was created in 1954 in honor of 1922 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Fridtjof Nansen, the legendary Norwegian polar explorer and scientist, and the first UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Senator Kennedy championed millions of refugees not only by raising awareness of the challenges they face but also because he was instrumental in sponsoring more than 70 supportive measures and codifying international refugee obligations into US law.

UN high commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said on the UN Web site, "Senator Kennedy stood out as a forceful advocate for those who suddenly found themselves with no voice and no rights. Year after year, conflict after conflict, he put the plight of refugees on the agenda to drive through policies that saved and shaped countless lives."

Another massive part of a great legacy. If it inspires even a fraction of the service he gave to the world, we're movin' in the right direction.

Photo courtesy Muffet via Flickr.