Raya Abirached To Host UNHCR Nansen Refugee Awards Tonight
Plus all the details on how to watch it live…
Established in 1954, the UNHCR Nansen Refugee Awards are one of the most important events on the UN Refugee Agency’s calendar as it honours those individuals, groups and organisations that go above and beyond protecting the most vulnerable individuals around the globe – and this year, one of its most notable ambassadors, Raya Abirached, will be hosting the awards ceremony.
The Lebanese television presenter, who was recently appointed UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador back in the spring, shared with Bazaar why she felt it was important to use her platform to raise awareness and support the efforts of the agency.
“My personal relationship with the UNHCR developed throughout the years and I was very honoured that they offered me a title, but I definitely would have fully supported this cause with or without the ambassador title,” noted Raya, speaking to Bazaar ahead of the awards. “I’m recognizing, however, that since I’ve been assigned [my ambassadorship], I’m able to participate in more activities where I can contribute with my own set of skills for the greater good – like hosting this award show for instance.”
With recent world events exponentially worsening around the globe, Raya emphasises the urgency behind the refugee crisis as well as the importance of championing change. “This year is particularly important to increase awareness on the subject because evidently the situation is not getting better and the urgency of donation is increasing. Everybody can contribute from their own home, if even in the smallest ways,” she said.
This year’s award ceremony will take place tonight and will honour the laureate with a star-studded line-up of artists and speakers contributing from all over the globe. The event will be virtually accessible for the public to stream live on the UNHCR YouTube page at 20:30 pm UAE time.
For more details about this year’s awards, visit unhcr.org
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