International Simón Bolívar Prize

The International Simón Bolívar Prize serves to recognise activities of outstanding merit that, in accordance with the ideals of Latin American independence hero Simón Bolívar, "contribute to the freedom, independence and dignity of peoples and to the strengthening of a new international economic, social and cultural order".

The Prize is awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) every second year, on 24 July (the anniversary of Bolívar's birth). In addition to the intrinsic distinction bestowed on recipients, the award comes with a sum of money (currently USD $25,000), determined and donated by the government of Venezuela.

Prize winners are selected by the unanimous decision a jury of seven "eminent persons" – five representing the regions of the world, one chosen by the Venezuelan authorities, and a representative of the director-general – from a list of candidates submitted by UNESCO member states and associate members. Both individuals and institutions are eligible as candidates.

Laureates

The following persons and organisations have been recognised by the International Simón Bolívar Prize since the scheme's inception in 1983:

;2004:Nadia Al-Jurdi Nouaihed (Lebanon):Casa de las Américas (Cuba);2000:Samuel Ruiz García, former Bishop of San Cristóbal de las Casas (Mexico):Julio Sanguinetti, former President of Uruguay ;1998 :Mário Soares, former President of Portugal:Milad Hanna, writer and Member of the Egyptian Supreme Council for Culture;1996:Muhammad Yunus, founder and President of the Grameen Bank (Bangladesh);1992:Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy (Myanmar) :Julius Nyerere, former President of Tanzania;1990:Václav Havel, former President of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic;1988:Vicaría de Solidaridad (Chile);1985:The Contadora Group (the efforts of Colombia, Mexico, Panama, and Venezuela to promote peace in Central America);1983:Juan Carlos I, King of Spain:Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa

External links

* [http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=8571&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html International Simón Bolívar Prize] (unesco.org)