CANNES, France (Diya TV) — Indian-origin actor, writer, and child-rights activist Nandana Dev Sen received the Best Achievement Award for Humanitarian Advocacy from the Better World Fund during the 79th Cannes Film Festival on May 18.
The award ceremony and gala took place at Copal Beach in Cannes, France. The organization honored Sen for her years of advocacy for children’s rights and women’s rights through global humanitarian initiatives. Sen shared her appreciation for the recognition on the social media platform X. She thanked the Better World Fund for the honor and said she was grateful for the opportunity to highlight the work of the Women’s Refugee Commission at Cannes.
“Thank you, Better World Fund, for the Best Achievement Award for Humanitarian Advocacy,” Sen wrote on X. She added that she was “glad to have the opportunity to use this prestigious stage at Cannes to highlight the urgent work of the Women’s Refugee Commission.”
During the gala, Sen praised the Better World Fund for supporting the Women’s Refugee Commission, a nonprofit focused on protecting the rights of refugee women, children, and youth. Sen also thanked Better World Fund founder Manuel Collas de la Roche for helping raise funds for the organization.
“I’m delighted that this year’s Gala for Humanity at Cannes is highlighting the Women’s Refugee Commission,” she wrote on social media. “I’m grateful to BWF — especially Manuel Collas de la Roche — for warmly offering to raise much-needed funds for the WRC.”
Sen serves as one of the 15 directors of the Women’s Refugee Commission. Indian American entrepreneur Devjani Dev is also among the organization’s directors.
Sen has built a diverse international career in entertainment, literature, and social advocacy. She has worked as an actor, screenwriter, literary editor, poetry translator, and child-protection advocate.
Over the years, she has appeared in more than 20 feature films across several countries and languages. She also once worked as Princess Jasmine at Disneyland.
Born to Nobel laureate and Bharat Ratna-winning economist Amartya Sen and acclaimed writer Nabanita Dev Sen, Sen grew up in India, England, and the United States.
She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard University. During her studies, she received honors including the Detur Book Prize, the John Harvard Scholarship, and the Elizabeth Agassiz Award. She later studied filmmaking at the USC School of Cinema-Television.
Sen has also earned recognition for her work in children’s literature. She has written six children’s books that have been translated into more than 15 languages worldwide.
Humanitarian work continues to play a major role in Sen’s public life. She serves as an artist ambassador for Save the Children India and works as an author advocate for girls’ education with Room to Read.
At the Women’s Refugee Commission in New York, Sen chairs the Program and Advocacy Committee. She frequently speaks about refugee protection, education access, and gender equality.
The Better World Fund said the award recognized her long-standing commitment to humanitarian causes and social impact efforts.
The Better World Fund is a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainability, women’s empowerment, humanitarian action, and cultural diplomacy through global partnerships and international events. The organization is known for hosting high-profile forums and charity events during major international gatherings, including the Cannes Film Festival.
