Refugees International's annual Anniversary Dinner is an exclusive awards ceremony and celebration honoring individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment to humanitarian action. The evening includes the presentation of the McCall-Pierpaoli Award and special honors to those who labor to improve the lives of displaced people and remedy displacement crises across the world.

34th Anniversary Dinner | Thursday, May 2, 2013:

This year, Refugees International is pleased to present the McCall-Pierpaoli Award to Nobel Peace Laureate José Ramos-Horta, whose work as Prime Minister and President of East Timor brought peace and stability to an area of the world long in need of leadership on behalf of the marginalized. Working both within and alongside the United Nations, he has proven to be an effective bridge builder and peacemaker, and brought East Timor, Indonesia and Australia together to forge a new state. Currently he serves as United Nations Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau.

The Congressional Leadership Award recognizes Members of Congress for their support of issues that have critical impacts on refugees and displaced people. Past recipients include the late Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ), Congressmen Chris
Smith (R-NJ), the late Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (D-NY) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT).

The Richard C. Holbrooke Leadership Award recognizes those in local civil society who are the unsung heroes of neglected displacement crises. It is a tribute to Ambassador Holbrooke’s spirit as a great American statesman, consummate diplomat, and true humanitarian. The award was first given in 2011 to Amina Ali.

PAST ANNIVERSARY DINNERS

33rd Anniversary dinner
On May 10, 2012, Refugees International (RI) celebrated 33 years of lifesaving advocacy. The 2012 McCall-Pierpaoli Award was presented to Lauren Bush Lauren for her outstanding initiatives to fight hunger and malnutrition worldwide. RI honored Congressman Donald Payne (posthumously) and Congressman Chris Smith for their leadership of the Africa, Global Health and Human Rights Subcommittee. Colette Lespinasse, a formidable advocate for displaced Haitians, was awarded the Richard C. Holbrooke Award.

> Go to our 33rd anniversary dinner page
> See photos from the dinner
> Read more about the evening's festivities

32nd Anniversary dinner
On May 5, 2011, Refugees International (RI) celebrated our 32nd anniversary. RI paid tribute to the impressive contribution of Governor Bill Richardson, RI’s 2011 McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award recipient. Senator Patrick Leahy also received our 2011 Congressional Leadership Award and Amina Ali received the RI’s first Richard C. Holbrooke Leadership Award. The evening also included an on-stage performance by Sudanese musician and former child soldier, Emmanuel Jal.

> Go to our 32nd anniversary dinner page
> See photos from the dinner
> Read more about the Gala

31st Anniversary Dinner
On May 6, 2010, Refugees International (RI) celebrated our 31st anniversary and our first-ever green gala. RI paid tribute to the impressive contributions of Former Senate Majority Leader and physician Bill Frist, RIs 2010 McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award recipient. The evening also included a touching tribute to RI's former president Ken Bacon.

> Go to our 31st Anniversary Dinner Page

30th Anniversary Dinner
Refugees International's (RI) largest and most high-profile fundraising event ever took place on May 7, 2009, in celebration of our 30th Anniversary. We honored media visionary and humanitarian Ted Turner with RI's most prestigious award, the McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award, at the intimate and picturesque Embassy of Italy.

> Go to our 30th Anniversary Dinner Page
> View photos from our 30th Anniversary Dinner

29th Anniversary Dinner

In 2008, more than 400 guests gathered to celebrate Mia Farrow and Ronan Farrow, Senator Ted Kennedy, and Senator Gordon Smith.

> Take a look at a few photos from 2008