UN High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata, during a visit to Rwandan refugees in the Bukavu region of South Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. February 1995. Photo © UNHCR/UNHCR/Panos Moumtzis

Article by Ben Dwork, Global Communications Officer, RET International

Few leaders have shaped the course of humanitarian aid like Mrs. Sadako Ogata, a trailblazer who believed that refugees needed more than just shelter—they needed a future. Mrs. Ogata (1927–2019) was a distinguished Japanese diplomat, academic, and humanitarian leader known for her tireless advocacy for refugees and vulnerable communities. As the first woman to serve as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), she played a pivotal role in responding to some of the most significant humanitarian crises of the 1990s. Her vision for long-term solutions led to the founding of RET International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to education and protection programs for displaced youth.

A Life Committed to International Humanitarianism

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Mrs. Ogata pursued an academic path that shaped her career in global affairs. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of the Sacred Heart in Tokyo, followed by a master’s degree in International Relations from Georgetown University and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. She later became a professor, specializing in international relations and diplomacy, before stepping into leadership roles in humanitarian organizations.

Photo © ACNUR/S.Foa

Leading UNHCR Through Global Crises (1991–2000)

In 1991, Mrs. Ogata was appointed as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Her tenure coincided with some of the most complex refugee crises in modern history, including:

• The displacement of millions following the Gulf War.
• The violent breakup of Yugoslavia, leading to refugee crises in Bosnia and Kosovo.
• The Rwandan Genocide and its aftermath, which saw massive population movements across Central Africa.

Mrs. Ogata believed that humanitarian aid alone was not enough to address displacement; she strongly advocated for political engagement and international cooperation to find long-term solutions. Under her leadership, UNHCR expanded its work to include internally displaced persons, reflecting the evolving nature of modern conflicts.

Founding RET International: Education as a Path to Stability

After stepping down from UNHCR in 2000, Mrs. Ogata founded RET International to address an urgent but often overlooked issue—education for displaced youth. She recognized that while emergency aid was crucial, education was key to breaking cycles of violence and poverty. RET was established to provide access to schooling, vocational training, and leadership programs for young refugees, especially girls and women, who are often most affected by displacement.

RET’s Growth and Ogata’s Lasting Legacy

Since its founding, RET International has worked in 35 countries, assisting young people in regions affected by conflict, disasters, and instability. Its programs include secondary education initiatives, vocational training, and empowerment programs designed to promote resilience and self-sufficiency. RET’s work continues to reflect Mrs. Ogata’s core belief: that education and protection are essential for rebuilding lives and fostering long-term peace. In her words: “Education should be a promise, not a dream.”

Sadako Ogata’s legacy lives on through RET International’s continued efforts to support vulnerable youth. Her vision of education as a tool for stability and empowerment remains at the heart of the organization’s mission, ensuring that displaced communities receive the opportunities they need to rebuild their futures.

---