In its thirtieth edition, the Jury* of North-South Prize of the Council of Europe has decided to honour the initiative enabling refugees to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games (led by the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Refuge Foundation and the International Paralympic Committee) and H.E. Miguel Ángel Moratinos. This recognition reflects their significant contributions to fostering understanding, solidarity, and inclusion on the world stage.

The initiative supporting refugee participation in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, through the Refugee Olympic and Paralympic teams, challenges stereotypes about refugees and people with disabilities in sports. By competing globally, refugee athletes exemplify resilience and raise awareness about the need for greater inclusion, equal rights, and the unifying power of sport rooted in fair play and tolerance.

Through numerous efforts, the Council of Europe advocates for human rights in sports, working to make sports safe, ethical, and accessible to all.

Miguel Ángel Moratinos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General holding the post of High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), is recognized for his distinguished career in diplomacy and international relations, dedicated to advancing peace and intercultural dialogue. This award underscores the urgent need for and importance of these values, which the North-South Centre actively promotes across Europe and beyond.

The thirtieth North-South Prize of the Council of Europe award ceremony, to be held on May 21, 2025, in Lisbon, will celebrate these two laureates for their strong commitment to human rights and solidarity, reinforcing global unity around the values of the Council of Europe.

*The Jury, presided over by the Chair of the North-South Centre Executive Committee and comprising members of the Bureau of the North-South Centre, made its decision during the thirty-third Executive Committee meeting on October 22, 2024, in Strasbourg.