Sister Rosita Milesi is the worldwide laureate of the 2024 Nansen Refugee Award. She calls the consideration “a recognition of all of the individuals who helped me, who participated in my journey — particularly the refugees that I had the chance to help and accompany and who’ve at all times taught me classes of hope and religion that fueled my very own journey.”

Marina Calderon/UNHCR

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Marina Calderon/UNHCR

When she was a scholar, Rosita Milesi needed to grow to be a math instructor — she was at all times good on the topic, she remembers.

It did not end up that manner — for which refugees are eternally grateful. At age 19, she turned a Catholic nun. Now, at age 79, she is being acknowledged as one in all Brazil’s most influential refugee advocates.

This week, she was honored with the U.N. Refugee Company’s Nansen Refugee Award for 40 years of activism. The U.N. calls her a “formidable refugee champion.” Venezuelan refugee Elizabeth Tanare described her to the U.N. because the “piece of the puzzle that brings the whole lot collectively.”

The award is a testomony to her life’s work. In 1999, Sister Rosita — who can also be a lawyer — based Brazil’s Migration and Human Rights Institute (IMDH), which she nonetheless oversees. In keeping with the U.N., during the last 40 years she and her staff have helped practically 800,000 refugees from 168 international locations entry authorized companies, well being care, housing and work alternatives in Brazil. And he or she says a part of the rationale for her success has to do together with her early love of math!

NPR spoke through Skype to Sister Rosita in Geneva, the place she accepted the award in a ceremony on Oct. 14. This interview has been translated from Portuguese to English and has been edited for size and readability.

What does this award imply to you?

To me, the Nansen award comes with an excellent duty to mirror on who Nansen was and what which means.

Fridtjof Nansen of Norway was a scientist, polar explorer, diplomat, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and first excessive commissioner for refugees for the League of Nations. These are massive footsteps to observe in.

Is that this an honor? Sure. However on the identical time, this can be a recognition of all of the individuals who helped me, who participated in my journey — particularly the refugees that I had the chance to help and accompany and who’ve at all times taught me classes of hope and religion that fueled my very own journey.

What are some life classes you’ve got discovered by your activism?

I’ve been dwelling this mission for a few years and have discovered so much. Every individual is exclusive. Each human being is exclusive. So you must take note of the particularities that every individual expresses. Lively listening is crucial. I can let you know that I’ve sought to be taught this, as a result of I’ve at all times been an individual with fast responses. And that is not at all times one of the best ways. Listening is commonly extra vital than responding. We be taught probably the most after we hear with our coronary heart and with care to the story that every refugee has lived and resides after we meet them.

Our weblog writes so much about international well being. How do you see well being — each bodily and psychological — as a problem in your activism?

In Brazil, now we have a common well being care system which everybody has entry to. It does not matter if they’re Brazilian or from one other nation or if they’re documented or not — everybody has entry to the common well being care system. It is a nice profit. Nonetheless, on the identical time, there are nonetheless many limitations, particularly in psychological well being care. Most refugees undergo monumental emotional or psychiatric penalties due to how tough it’s to navigate the trail in quest of a rustic that may welcome them. It’s needed that we strengthen [access to] each bodily well being and psychological well being companies so that individuals can, no less than partly, overcome the trauma of compelled migration, conflict, starvation and the whole lot they went by to search out refuge in a foreign country.

Have you ever ever felt dismissed or not regarded with respect due to your age?

No, quite the opposite, I believe that my age provides me a bonus. I believe that the belief individuals have in me usually comes from realizing the years I’ve already lived. And I really feel nice pleasure when youngsters who do not even know me come as much as me and name me “grandma.” For me, my age is a optimistic component that encourages me to proceed and to move on [my knowledge].

How do individuals react to your being a nun?

I’m already well-known as “Sister Rosita.” However some cultures have no idea what the “sister” title actually means. Generally individuals ask me the place my husband is or what number of youngsters I’ve. However thank God I’ve at all times been capable of welcome all individuals equally unbiased of faith, tradition or sexual orientation. I at all times attempt to welcome them. And due to that I believe individuals really feel extra snug round me although I’m a nun.

The world is clearly failing to look after refugees — the U.N. repeatedly requires extra funding for such efforts. In case you had three needs to make issues higher, what would they be?

My first want could be for border management to not be about authorized or judicial management of the border however somewhat to at all times embody social work help to offer individuals in want the eye they deserve.

The second want could be for international locations world wide to grow to be extra keen to welcome and combine refugees into their communities. And for these communities to rejoice their new members for enriching their surroundings and permitting them to develop interculturally.

The third want could be for clear and efficient refugee integration packages. What refugees want most is a chance for efficient integration, the place they will take the whole lot that they’ve already discovered in life and thru their journeys and use it of their new communities. And I want for his or her items and abilities to be acknowledged to allow them to really feel fulfilled and rebuild their very own lives within the international locations they arrive to.

Do you’ve got any phrases of recommendation to younger refugee activists?

I would like them to know that this can be a improbable path to non-public success.

What does this new technology of activists deliver to the trigger?

Younger persons are very full of life, very artistic. After they become involved, these of us who’re older than them simply must rejoice their youthful dynamism and enthusiasm. However above all, [I want them to know] that their generosity and pursuit of humanitarian causes is a superb deed. The refugees might be in nice fingers with younger activists who’re utilizing their enthusiasm and pleasure towards these causes.

I heard that once you have been youthful you needed to grow to be a math instructor. Does math play any function in your life as we speak?

I used to be by no means good at historical past, however I used to be nice at math. I used to be by no means capable of grow to be a math instructor, however I believe this facet comes out in me within the objectivity with which I conduct myself. In a manner, it is rather optimistic — I discover it very simple to observe administrative processes, and I really feel assured operating the establishments I at present run. And math can also be current within the objectivity and velocity with which I make my choices. So although I didn’t pursue educating, these traits are nonetheless in me they usually assist me. However I additionally must be very cautious to not be too goal or fast in my responses and to essentially be sure that I’m listening fastidiously earlier than saying one thing. It’s one thing I at all times want to concentrate on and domesticate in my relationship with individuals.

Is there any message you need to share with the world?

I believe our society nonetheless actually lacks the power to see the optimistic impression of individuals migrating from different international locations to our territories. There’s a quote from a Brazilian singer that claims, “Refugees arrive with few belongings however with many abilities.” If society may change their perspective and worth, welcome and supply alternatives for refugees to place their items, abilities, expertise and coaching to work, so much may change for the higher — each for the refugees and the communities that welcome them.