Sadako Ogata, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, truly wishes that she could be here today, but because of the ongoing refugee crisis in central Africa, and a previously arranged official visit to the Ukraine, she is unfortunately unable to attend this important ceremony. On her behalf, I would like to deliver the following message:

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"I am deeply honored to receive the Magsaysay Award for International Understanding. This award means much to me, not so much because of the personal recognition it bestows, but because of the attention it brings to the cause if refugees and to my 5,500 highly dedicated colleagues in UNHCR, who are often working under arduous and even perilous conditions. The Magsaysay Award reinforces and encourages us, it helps to invigorate us with the strength we need to meet the challenge of protecting and assisting nearly 23 millions uprooted victims of war and persecution.

The fact that this award is being given for international understanding is particularly gratifying. Understanding of the refugee problem is crucial to finding solutions. Understanding is one the links in a chain of actions, without which the problems is crucial to finding solutions. Understanding is one of the links in one of the links in a chain of actions, without which the problems of refugees will not be solved. That chain, as I see it, is as follows: Firstly, governments and the public at large must be made aware of the problem of refugees. Secondly, they must understand the nature of the problem, particularly its humanitarian and sometimes political dimensions. Thirdly, government must find ways of cooperating with one another, because international solidarity and burden sharing are vital for the protection of refugees, and because international solidarity and burden sharing are vital for the protection of refugees, and because cooperation among the countries directly affected by refugee crises is crucial for solving them. Awareness, understanding, cooperation, and solutions—these are the links in the chain.

Today’s world is full of contradictions, of increasing peace and economic growth, on the one hand, and of conflict and human rights abuse, on the other. Images of war and oppression , coming close to us on the screen, can be turned off at the flick of a switch. But the refugees remain, asking for understanding and humanity. From former Yugoslavia to Rwanda and from Guatemala to Cambodia, I have seen countless personal tragedies occasion by man’s savagery, mostly affecting families, women, and helpless children. And yet, these refugees are increasingly seen only as a burden and rejected at borders.

UNHCR alone cannot make people aware of the world’s refugee situation. The news media and the voices of the many dedicated workers in nongovernmental organizations also serve to help the cause of refugees. Exceedingly important are such institutions as the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, which through recognition of the work and effort of such person as my fellow awardees (Anand Panyarachun, M.C. Mehta, Sister Eva Fidela Maamo, and Mahasweta Devi—give a healthy boost to our various causes. Being in such splendid company as esteemed awardees is a collective honor which I cherish.

With more international understanding, we can better protect and save lives and restore human dignity. For refugee problems, however intractable they often appear to be, are solvable, provided there is cooperation and teamwork. It can be at the level of individual filed workers in a refugee emergency or at the level of governments, with all the power of their resources and institutions. In Asia, where the traditions of consensus run long and deep, I am proud to say that examples of international cooperation in the history of UNHCR is the Comprehensive Plan of Action for Indochinese refugees, which, thanks to the efforts of countries of asylum, or origin, and of resettlement, resulted in over 1.1 million persons being helped to rebuild their lives. I am grateful that today some 1,500 Vietnamese have been able to benefit from the generosity of the government of the Philippines.

I am pleased that the Magsaysay Foundation, in granting this award, brings worldwide attention to the serious threats to the institution of asylum that are taking place. We must not give in to the forces of xenophobia. We must speak out in defense of those persons who have been uprooted by force and persecution. And we must join forces to prevent refugee crises from occurring, by insisting on the right of all fellow human beings to live in peace in their own homes.

These words are mine, but I hear in them the voice of Ramon Magsaysay and his ideal of promoting the welfare of others. I thank you. The refugees and displaced persons of the world thank you too."