Filippo Grandi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Filippo Grandi
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Grandi in 2019
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| United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees | |
| Assumed office 1 January 2016 |
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| Secretary-General | |
| Preceded by | António Guterres |
| Succeeded by | Barham Salih (designate) |
| Commissioner-General of the UNRWA | |
| In office 20 January 2010 – 29 March 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Karen Koning AbuZayd |
| Succeeded by | Pierre Krähenbühl |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 March 1957 Milan, Lombardy, Italy |
| Alma mater |
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Filippo Grandi was born on March 30, 1957. He is an Italian diplomat and a leader at the United Nations. Currently, he is the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. This means he helps people around the world who have had to leave their homes.
Before this, he led the UNRWA, which helps Palestinian refugees. He also worked for the UN in Afghanistan. In 2024, he received a special Olympic award called the Olympic Laureate during the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Learning and Studies
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 degree in philosophy from the Gregorian University in Rome.
Working to Help Others
Filippo Grandi began his work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1988. The UNHCR is a UN agency that protects and supports refugees. He worked in many countries, like Sudan, Syria, Turkey, and Iraq. He helped people after the Gulf War.
He also led emergency efforts in places like Kenya, Benin, Ghana, Liberia, and the Great Lakes Region of Central Africa. He worked in Yemen and Afghanistan too. From 1996 to 1997, he helped coordinate aid in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a civil war.
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Later, he worked at the UNHCR's main office in Geneva, Switzerland. He was a Special Assistant and then Chief of Staff. From 2001 to 2004, he was the Chief of Mission for UNHCR.
In 2004, Grandi joined the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). There, he helped with political matters as a Deputy Special Representative. In 2005, he started working for UNRWA. This agency helps Palestinian refugees. He became the Deputy Commissioner-General. From 2010 until March 29, 2014, he was the Commissioner-General of UNRWA.
On November 11, 2015, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon chose Grandi for a very important role. He became the next United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 2016. On November 23, 2020, the United Nations General Assembly voted to keep Grandi in this role for another two and a half years.
Since 2019, Grandi has been part of a special group at the World Economic Forum. This group works to find better ways to fund and support humanitarian aid around the world.
During the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Grandi received a special award. It was called the Olympic Laurel. He was honored for his efforts in helping refugee athletes participate in sports. In July 2025, the government of Spain gave him a high honor. He received the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.
Other Important Roles
Besides his main job, Filippo Grandi is involved in other important groups:
- He is part of UNAIDS. This program works to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.
- He is a member of International Gender Champions (IGC). This group promotes gender equality.
- He serves on the Strategic Committee for the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA).
- He is also a member of a council at the World Economic Forum (WEF). This council thinks about the future of humanitarian help.
See also
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
- António Guterres – Former UN High Commissioner for Refugees (2005–2015) and current UN Secretary-General.
- Ruud Lubbers – Former UN High Commissioner for Refugees (2001–2005).
- Henrietta Fore – Former Executive Director of UNICEF (2018–2022).
- David Beasley – Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP).
