UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has awarded the Nansen Award for the Americas to Pablo Moreno Cadena, an executive at the Mexican company MABE, in recognition of his leadership in creating formal employment opportunities for refugees in Mexico.
The international organization noted that his contribution demonstrates the transformative potential of the private sector in contexts of forced displacement.
The Nansen Award, created in 1954, honors individuals and organizations engaged in extraordinary efforts to protect refugees, internally displaced persons, and stateless people.
In the case of Moreno Cadena, the UNHCR emphasized that his efforts have allowed hundreds of people of diverse nationalities to find economic stability, community belonging, and real opportunities for growth.
From his position at MABE, the executive has promoted inclusive hiring as a sustainable business practice. His vision, UNHCR noted, has been key in demonstrating that the integration of refugees is not only viable but also beneficial for productivity, innovation, and social cohesion within Mexican companies.
In a meaningful gesture, Moreno Cadena decided to donate the full monetary amount of the award to the Casa del Migrante in Saltillo, an organization that provides shelter, legal assistance, and support in naturalization processes.
The donation carries additional symbolic value because Saltillo is the city where UNHCR’s Local Integration Program (PIL) was born, a model that is now replicated in various regions of the country.
UNHCR noted that while access to asylum and integration faces growing barriers in other parts of the world, Latin America has managed to promote a different approach based on collaboration among governments, civil society, and businesses.
In Mexico, more than 650 companies actively participate in inclusive hiring practices, and since 2016 more than 53,000 refugees have been incorporated into the PIL.
The Mexican experience is part of a growing regional trend. In Brazil, the Refugee Employment Forum coordinates large-scale hiring efforts; in Ecuador, the Inclusive Company Seal recognizes businesses that integrate refugees into their workforce; and in Costa Rica, the “Living Inclusion” program promotes public-private partnerships to create sustainable employment opportunities.
These initiatives, UNHCR stated, show that the private sector has become a strategic partner for integration in Latin America. Its participation contributes not only to strengthening local economies but also to offering real pathways for displaced people to rebuild their lives with dignity and security.
In a global context marked by growing humanitarian crises, the recognition of Pablo Moreno Cadena reaffirms that innovative solutions can emerge from multiple sectors.
His leadership, UNHCR added, demonstrates that business solidarity can become a central pillar in ensuring inclusion, stability, and a future for those forced to flee their countries.
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