Polish Prize of Sérgio Vieira de Mello, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 

This year, dozens of nominations were submitted for the Award. Among the nominees were individuals and organizations from different parts of the world working for peace, human rights and dialogue of religions and cultures. Representatives of the President of the Republic of Poland, the Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden in Poland, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Ombudsman for Civil Rights, the Mayor of the City of Cracow, the Consul General of the United States in Cracow, the ZNAK Publishing House, the Founders and Initiators of the Award, and the Chairman of the Board and Director of the Villa Decius Association took part in the work of the Chapter.

Marcelline Budza – a modern feminist and human rights activist from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who is actively working to empower women in a country plagued by civil war and corruption and called the most dangerous place in the world for women. Inspired by her mother’s life story, she created Rebuild Women’s Hope, an organization that helps women take control of their own destinies. Thanks to her, women in the DRC can now make autonomous decisions, fight for their rights, develop their potential and become economically active members of their communities,” Ewelina Pytel, the Mayor’s Plenipotentiary for Equality Policy, said in her laudation .

Zespół Pomocy Prawnej Asmy Jahangir (Asma Jahangir Legal Aid Cell AGHS) – who “deserves special mention because of the effective and creative linking of awareness-raising activities, the promotion of respect for human rights, with the practical application of assistance to those in need who would not have the slightest chance to assert their rights. We would also like to pay tribute to the worthy successors of Asma Jahangir , the next generation of Pakistani activists who continue to inspire new leaders in many countries experiencing difficulties and obstacles. This is a universal value that goes far beyond Pakistan and South Asia. An appropriate response to the global challenges in this field and a reminder that the struggle to uphold human rights is a constant effort and test of will for all of us.” – emphasized in his laudation Jan Sobczak, 1st Counselor in the Department of Global Affairs from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Svitlana Lukiyanchuk (in memoriam) – “Children are our future, and taking care of them is one of the most important and noble tasks we can undertake. Supporting their development, caring for them and ensuring their safety creates the foundation on which they can build a better world. Any commitment to the upbringing of young generations is an investment in our common future, full of hope and opportunity. Svitlana Lukiyanchuk sacrificed her life of only 30 years fulfilling her professional vocation, while standing on the side of democracy in the fight against authoritarian regimes – and in this ferocious struggle for the peaceful coexistence of future generations, based on dialogue and respect for the life of the other, she made the supreme sacrifice.” – Wieslaw Nowak, President of ZUE S.A., Sponsor of the Award, said in his laudation.

THE AMBASSADOR OF THE FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL TO POLAND

THE AMBASSADOR OF THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN IN POLAND

THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES