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| The UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education at its 30th anniversary becomes the UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights |
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News 5 of 5
 In a ceremony at UNESCO’s Headquarters on Monday 5 May 2008, Mr Marcio Barbosa, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, and Mr Iñaki Azkuna, Mayor of the City of Bilbao (Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, Spain), signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights (2008 - 2012), in the presence of Ambassador María Jesús San Segundo, Permanent Delegate of Spain to UNESCO, and Mr Mikel Mancisidor, Director of the UNESCO Centre of the Basque Country – UNESCO Etxea. The ceremony was attended by members of the delegation of the City of Bilbao and representatives of the UNESCO Secretariat.
Welcoming Mr Iñaki Azkuna to UNESCO on behalf of the Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura, the Deputy Director-General underlined that the Mayor of Bilbao is known for his personal commitment and dedication to the cause of human rights. Mr Barbosa welcomed the decision of the City of Bilbao to finance three editions of the Prize starting from 2008. He stressed that it is symbolic that in a world where urban population is predominant and the enjoyment of human rights in the city is becoming a very important issue, it is a City that becomes UNESCO’s partner in this endeavour. Mr Barbosa thanked the Permanent Delegation of Spain to UNESCO and the Spanish Commission for UNESCO for their support to this project.
The Deputy Director-General noted the fruitful cooperation between UNESCO and the UNESCO Centre of the Basque Country – UNESCO Etxea – in promoting education and research in human rights and democratization. The Centre facilitated the current agreement between UNESCO and the City Council of Bilbao and intends to be associated to activities linked to the Prize. UNESCO Etxea consultants, furthermore, assist in the implementation of UNESCO's human rights programme.
In his statement, the Mayor of Bilbao Mr Azkuna stressed the need to ensure that human rights become a daily reality for all people in all parts of the world. He underlined the necessity of eradicating violence which still persists and presents a major threat to human rights. He expressed his satisfaction with the establishment of the Prize and the hope that it will contribute to the promotion of a culture of human rights internationally and in his country. In this regard he expressed the hope that in 2010 the award ceremony will be organized in Bilbao.
Ambassador María Jesús San Segundo, Permanent Delegate of Spain to UNESCO, emphasized the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was adopted as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations. She reminded that disregard of human rights and human dignity leads to violence. It is therefore important to promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and to support the creation of a culture of human rights. She welcomed the initiative of the City of Bilbao to associate with UNESCO in rewarding achievements in this field.
The Memorandum of Understanding foresees that the UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights carries on the UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education, which was created in 1978 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For thirty years the Prize served to encourage education for and in human rights and to reward achievements in this field. Among the laureates of the Prize are eminent personalities and experts, civil society organizations and academic institutions.
The new title of the Prize emphasizes that its scope is larger than that of the UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education. It rewards the outstanding contributions of organizations and individuals to the cause of human rights, not only by means of education but also through research, sensitization of decision-makers and the general public on human rights issues and related challenges, as well as through the moulding of attitudes aimed at strengthening respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The Prize will be awarded every two years. For each edition of the Prize, the City of Bilbao will contribute US $ 150,000 to cover all expenses related to its award. For the 2008 edition, the Prizewinner will receive US $ 25,000 and a trophy created specifically for the Prize.
The 2008 award ceremony will be held at UNESCO Headquarters around 10 December, – Human Rights Day, when the international community will be celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Photo: © UNESCO/P. Lagès
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| Author(s) |
UNESCO - Human Rights and Gender Equality Section, Division of Human Rights and Philosophy, Sector for Social and Human Sciences |
| Publication Date |
06-05-2008 |
| Source |
UNESCO |
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