Today, 23 October 2025, at Villa Decius – in the heart of Wola Justowska – the laureates of this year’s Polish Sérgio Vieira de Mello Prize were announced.
This prestigious distinction is awarded to individuals and non-governmental organizations whose work fosters dialogue, understanding, and the peaceful coexistence of societies, religions, and cultures.
Established in 2003 by the Villa Decius Association, the Prize commemorates Sérgio Vieira de Mello, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who was tragically killed in Iraq while carrying out his mission of peace and compassion. Each year, the award reminds us of the values that define humanity: empathy, courage, and service to others.
Two Women, Two Voices of Courage and Compassion
This year, the Prize Committee honoured two exceptional women whose words and actions remind us that humanity remains our greatest strength.
In the “Individual” category, the Prize was awarded to Ece Temelkuran, a Turkish novelist, political thinker, and journalist whose voice resonates around the world. Author of internationally acclaimed books such as How to Lose a Country and Together: A Manifesto Against a Heartless World, she writes about compassion as a political and moral force – an essential foundation for democracy.
In her acceptance speech, she reflected:
“Sérgio Vieira de Mello devoted his life to the idea that humanity can be defended, even in its darkest hours. Being human is not a biological condition – it is a moral choice.”
She also spoke about the need to defend sensitivity and empathy in a world that often rewards indifference:
“We live in an age where cruelty is efficient and indifference is rewarded. But I have learned that the heart, when open, is not a weakness. It is our greatest form of intelligence.”
Her words echoed throughout Villa Decius like a call to moral resistance – a reminder that empathy and solidarity are not luxuries but necessities for a just and democratic society.
In the “Non-Governmental Organization” category, the Prize was awarded to Truth Hounds, a Ukrainian human rights organization dedicated to documenting war crimes and ensuring accountability for perpetrators. The award was accepted on behalf of the organization by Oksana Pokalchuk, who highlighted the team’s deep commitment to justice and truth.
As she stated in her moving address:
“Our task is to remind the world that behind every statistic there is a human life. And that life matters.”
She described how Truth Hounds’ mission extends beyond documentation to accompany victims and their families in their pursuit of justice:
“Justice must not be abstract – it must be felt. It must reach the homes of those who lost someone they loved. We work so that they may one day feel their dignity restored.”
Why This Prize Matters
The Sérgio Vieira de Mello Polish Prize is more than a distinction – it is a declaration of faith in goodness, courage, and the power of individual action in a world increasingly defined by division.
Each year, the Prize highlights people who remind us that solidarity and responsibility toward others must be actively nurtured.
The Villa Decius Association, as the initiator and organizer of the Prize, continues to create a space for dialogue, encounter, and cooperation across borders – fostering the belief that empathy and collaboration remain possible, even in difficult times.
“The Sérgio Vieira de Mello Prize reminds us that humanity requires courage – the courage to speak when others remain silent, to feel when the world encourages indifference, and to act when turning away would be easier.”
From the Heart of Wola Justowska – A Voice for the World
Once again, at Villa Decius – a place with over five centuries of tradition rooted in hospitality and openness – words of compassion and truth resonated across borders.
This year’s laureates have shown that truth, solidarity, and empathy are not abstract ideals, but daily practices that can heal the world.
We celebrate these voices with gratitude and pride, and we await new stories and inspiration from the heart of Villa Decius – the heart of Wola Justowska, where humanity once again triumphed.
Organizer:
Villa Decius Association
Honorary Partner:
Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil in Poland
Sponsors:
City of Kraków, Grupa ZUE
Media Partners:
TVP3 Kraków, TVP Info, Radio Kraków, Gazeta Wyborcza, Rzeczpospolita, Kraków.pl
Project co-financed by the Municipality of Kraków.
