A One-on-One with Claude Marshall 
We rendezvoused at his place in Rougemont; Claude personally wanted to show me the pictures he had selected for the article. As I looked at the photographs, particularly those of children deeply absorbed in playing together, I was struck by how little these "homeless" children have. In this context, "homeless" also means stateless—a situation that carries profound implications.

Claude spoke passionately about the challenges these children face, saying, "No matter what kind of refugee they are—whether they're fortunately full-bodied or hindered by the loss of a limb or eyesight, or whether they are stateless—these young people dream just as all young people do. For them, the Olympics represents a dream they all go to bed with. It's a dream that millions of refugee children hold onto, even if the possibility seems distant. Part of the rewarding work we do is to help bring some of those dreams to reality."

He emphasised the importance of sports in the lives of these children, noting that their heroes are often the athletes on the Olympic Refugee Team. "They are treated at the Olympics like any other nation," Claude explained. "They live in the Olympic Village, just like the other 10,000 athletes. They eat in the same cafeteria. They're part of the Olympic world."

Claude pointed out that team sports are particularly beneficial for refugee children, as they help restore the respect and trust that many have lost due to the horrors they have endured. "Sports is universal," he said. "It's not difficult for people to understand the impact when they see something like this. We rely entirely on sponsors—people, foundations, companies—they are our lifeblood. There are 120 million people who have been forcibly displaced, with no country to call their own. What we give them is a team, something they didn't have before."

Reflecting on the process of securing funding, Claude remarked, "It’s not about cycling up and down Lake Geneva with a pitch deck anymore. The need is vast, and the support is crucial. We help organise and find the funds, but implementation relies on organisations like the IOC and world sports federations."

Claude also highlighted the value of disciplines like Taekwondo, a martial art with strict rules and respect for opponents. "You might wonder why we're teaching kids a combat sport, but it’s about discipline and respect. Sports build character. It’s a foundation for becoming a fine person."

Read the article about Claude Marshall from GstaadLife no5, "Pioneering the Olympic Refugee Team" and if you want to read more or support the work of UNHCR, follow this link https://www.unhcr.org
 

Jeanette Wichmann
 

Understanding Statelessness

What is Statelessness?

According to the UNHCR, a person is stateless when no country recognises them as citizens. This means they lack a legal bond to any nation, resulting in the absence of basic rights and access to services like education, healthcare, and employment.

Causes of Statelessness:

- Gaps in National Laws: Some countries have laws that don’t grant nationality to certain groups of people.

- State Succession: Changes in borders or the creation of new states can leave some groups without nationality.

- Discrimination: Ethnic, religious, or gender discrimination can lead to statelessness.

- Lack of Birth Registration: If a child’s birth isn’t registered, they may not have proof of nationality.

Consequences:

Stateless individuals often face severe restrictions on their freedom of movement, education, healthcare, and the ability to work. They live in a perpetual state of vulnerability and uncertainty, often unable to plan for the future.

The UNHCR works to prevent and reduce statelessness and protect the rights of stateless people by advocating for legal reforms, helping individuals obtain documentation, and supporting initiatives that provide nationality to those at risk.