Claude’s story
The power of play
For more than 30 years, Claude has championed sport for refugees, creating safe spaces for play and connection around the world.
The game-changer
Claude and his parents fled Nazi Germany. That experience ignited a lifetime of empathy, and set him on a path that continues well into his 90s. “You don't leave your home with ease,” Claude says. “I didn’t have to be told what it meant to be a refugee - I knew firsthand. That understanding drove me to join UNHCR, and I’ve been dedicated to the organisation ever since.”
From business to humanitarian work
After a successful career in advertising and public relations, a chance meeting in Geneva with then-UNHCR High Commissioner Sadako Ogata prompted Claude to change course: “I left my advertising job on a Friday and joined UNHCR the following Monday.” From that moment, he became a voluntary consultant for UNHCR - a role he still holds today.
Why sport matters
Claude’s attention was drawn to a gap in refugee support: people’s basic needs were being met, but thirty years ago there was no organised provision in refugee camps for them to play sport. “When kids in the camps needed a football, our staff would go to the nearby village and buy footballs out of their own pockets. Or the kids would make a football,” he remembers.
Claude realised that people forced to flee – especially children – needed safe spaces to rebuild their confidence and help create new connections. As he explains, “Many of these kids arrive in camps as unaccompanied minors, having lost everything – their parents, friends, homes and schools. Sports help them build new social bonds and give them a sense of belonging. Team sports, in particular, encourage interaction and community-building, which is crucial for their recovery and development.”
From volleyball courts to football pitches, Claude began knocking on the doors of sports federations to make it happen. This led to successful collaborations that provided equipment and funded organised sports programmes in various camps; work that continues to this day.
Lessons from a lifetime
Through his work with UNHCR, Claude has repeatedly witnessed the incredible strength and resilience of refugees. As he says, “These encounters inspire me to continue our work, knowing that amidst the challenges, there are countless stories of hope and humanity that deserve to be shared and supported.”
His message to the world is clear: “These are people who have much to give to the world. They want to contribute. Don’t close your eyes.”
