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Filippo Grandi
Filippo Grandi - UNHCR - 2019 (cropped).jpg
Grandi in 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Assumed office
1 January 2016
Secretary-General
Preceded by António Guterres
Commissioner-General of the UNRWA
In office
20 January 2010 – 29 March 2014
Preceded by Karen Koning AbuZayd
Succeeded by Pierre Krähenbühl
Personal details
Born (1957-03-30) 30 March 1957 (age 68)
Milan, Lombardy, Italy
Alma mater
  • University of Milan
  • Pontifical Gregorian University

Filippo Grandi was born on March 30, 1957. He is an Italian diplomat and a leader at the United Nations. He currently serves as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. This means he helps lead the global effort to protect and support people who have been forced to leave their homes.

Before this, he was in charge of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). He also worked as a special representative for the UN in Afghanistan. In 2024, he received the Olympic Laureate award during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. This award honored his important work helping refugee athletes.

Filippo Grandi's Education

Filippo Grandi studied at two universities in Italy. In 1981, he earned a degree in modern history from the University of Milan. Later, in 1987, he received a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Filippo Grandi's Career

Grandi began his career with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1988. The UNHCR is an organization that helps people who have fled their homes because of war or danger. He worked in many different countries, including Sudan, Syria, Turkey, and Iraq. He also led emergency missions in places like Kenya, Liberia, and Afghanistan.

Penny Mordaunt meets UNHCR Chief Filippo Grandi in Djibouti (39547489782)
Grandi in Djibouti with Penny Mordaunt

From 1996 to 1997, he was a field coordinator for the UN's humanitarian work in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This was during a time of civil war there. After that, he worked in the main office of UNHCR in Geneva, Switzerland. He was a special assistant and then chief of staff. From 2001 to 2004, he was the head of UNHCR's mission in Afghanistan.

In 2004, Grandi moved to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). He was the Deputy Special Representative, helping with political affairs. In 2005, he joined the UNRWA. He first served as Deputy Commissioner-General. From 2010 to 2014, he was the Commissioner-General, leading the agency.

In 2015, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that Grandi would become the next United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. He started this important role in 2016. In 2020, the United Nations General Assembly chose him to continue as High Commissioner for another 2.5 years.

Since 2019, Grandi has been part of a special group at the World Economic Forum. This group focuses on how to invest in humanitarian aid.

During the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Filippo Grandi received the Olympic Laurel award. He was the third person ever to get this honor. He was recognized for his efforts in helping refugee athletes participate in sports.

Other Activities

Filippo Grandi is also involved in other important groups:

  • He is a member of the International Gender Champions (IGC). This group works to promote gender equality.
  • He is part of the Strategic Committee for the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA).
  • He is a member of the Global Future Council on the Future of the Humanitarian System at the World Economic Forum (WEF).

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Filippo Grandi para niños

  • List of Directors and Commissioners-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
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