The First Global Forum on Statelessness takes place in The Hague

A stateless person is someone who is not recognised as a national by any state. Lacking the rights conferred by nationality, stateless people are profoundly vulnerable and tend to live precariously on the margins of society. They are often unable to vote or obtain identity documents, and may be denied education, health services, or legitimate employment.

Statelessness occurs for many reasons, such as conflicts of laws between states, the redrawing of national boundaries, or discrimination against minority groups.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that the total number of stateless people around the world exceeds 10 million.

UNHCR, together with Tilburg University, is organising the first Global Forum on Statelessness, to be held in The Hague Peace Palace in September. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the first United Nations Convention to address the problem of statelessness: the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons.

Through UNHCR, Rei Foundation is providing support for NGOs to take part in this global forum.